Colocasia esculenta
Colocasia esculenta
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Pl. 3E82 — Colocasia esculenta
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IOverview
Overview
Colocasia esculenta, commonly known as taro, is a perennial herb native to the tropical regions of Asia, including Assam, Bangladesh, China South-Central and Southeast, East Himalaya, India, Laos, Malaya, Myanmar, Nepal, Sumatera, and Taiwan. This plant thrives in moist, wet conditions with partial sun or shade and can grow up to 1 meter tall. Taro is valued for its edible tubers, which are often used in various culinary dishes. Its adaptability to light (sandy, medium, and clay soils) makes it a versatile crop in diverse environments. One distinctive feature of taro is its large, arrow-shaped leaves that can add an ornamental touch to gardens or landscapes.
Quick answers
What is Colocasia esculenta?
Colocasia esculenta, commonly known as taro, is a perennial herb native to the tropical regions of Asia, including Assam, Bangladesh, China South-Central and Southeast, East Himalaya, India, Laos, Malaya, Myanmar, Nepal, Sumatera, and Taiwan.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Colocasia esculenta thrives in moist to wet soils and prefers partial sun or shade. It grows well in light, medium, or heavy soil types but requires consistent moisture. Hardy in zones 9-11, this perennial plant can reach up to 1 meter in height. For propagation, tubers can be divided and replanted each season. Ensure the soil is kept consistently moist for best growth.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
9-11
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
1.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Colocasia esculenta for the first time
8steps
Start with Colocasia esculenta as a simple, beginner-friendly plant.
- 1
What you'll need
Colocasia tubers, potting soil, containers or garden beds.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring when the last frost has passed and temperatures are warm.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a mix of light (sandy), medium, or heavy clay soils. Ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Plant tubers 5-10 cm deep in the soil, spacing them about 30 cm apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist and provide partial sun to avoid scorching young leaves.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize with a balanced plant food every 4-6 weeks.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead foliage and stems in late winter to encourage new growth and maintain plant health.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting to prune, not providing enough light, and using unsuitable soil types.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:tubers
Edible uses: The colocasia plant's tubers are edible and can be prepared in various ways. Typically, they are cooked to improve their texture and flavor. The tubers can also be eaten raw or used to make tea, though cooking is most common for optimal taste and digestibility.
Other uses:Animal feed
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
13 native · 17 introduced
Distribution
13 native · 17 introducedDistribution across4 continents· 13 native· 17 introduced
Europe2 regions
introduced (2)PortugalSpain
Asia9 regions
native (8)BangladeshChinaIndiaLaosMyanmarNepalTaiwanThailand
introduced (1)Cambodia
Americas2 regions
introduced (2)Costa RicaDominican Republic
Africa2 regions
introduced (2)CameroonGambia
Broader regions
native:East Himalaya, Malaya, Sumatera
introduced:Cayman Is., Caroline Is., Bismarck Archipelago, Bermuda, Cook Is., East Aegean Is., Easter Is., Florida, Galápagos, Gilbert Is.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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