Colocasia Varieties

August 31, 2024 Post a Comment

Colocasia varieties

Commonly known as elephant-ear, colocasia is a herbaceous perennial with a large rhizome on or just below the ground surface. The leaves are large to very large. The plant gets its name from its leaves, which are shaped like a large ear or shield. It is also known as taro, cocoyam, dasheen, chembu and eddoe.

Do Colocasia like full sun?

Colocasias display their leaves with tip of the heart pointing down. They prefer full sun and consistent moisture. Alocasias hold the tip of their leaves out or upward and they prefer more well drained soil and a little shade.

Which is better Alocasia or Colocasia?

Although they require frequent watering, Alocasia plants need soil that drains well and doesn't stay soggy. In fact, Alocasia planted in very wet locations for extended periods is prone to root rot. Colocasia, on the other hand, grows best with full sun exposure.

What is the most popular Colocasia?

esculenta is the most common in the trade and can often be found as a dormant corm even in the large box stores. The common Colocasia esculenta produces a 5' tall, green-leaved plant with 2.5' wide by 3.5' long leaves with green petioles and a smooth margin (leaf edge).

Is elephant ear the same as Colocasia?

Colocasias are tropical perennial plants which are also known as Elephant Ear or Taro. They are native to Southeastern Asia and India and are selected for their ornamental characteristics.

Is black Magic Colocasia or Alocasia?

Primarily grown for its spectacular foliage, Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' (Taro) is a tuberous, frost-tender perennial with long-stalked, heart-shaped, smoky purplish-black leaves, up to 2 ft. long (60 cm).

What is the difference between caladium and Colocasia?

Caladium (Caladium bicolor), hardy in USDA zones 9 and 10, is also occasionally called "elephant ears." It belongs to the same family as colocasia and alocasia, but the heart or shield-shaped leaves are generally smaller and the range of leaf colors is greater.

Does Colocasia come back every year?

As these plants are native to tropical climates they will only begin to grow once the soil is warm so, plant the bulbs after the soil has reached a temperature of 65ºF. Do Elephant Ears Come Back Every Year? Almost all varieties are perennial and will come back every summer.

Should I mist my Colocasia?

How to water the Elephant Ear. Water your plant about once a week to keep soil evenly moist but never soggy. Mist between waterings to provide humidity.

Do Colocasia like a lot of water?

Soil: Elephant ears need rich soil that is moist (not saturated), but well-drained. Most don't like wet feet, though a few are tolerant of wet conditions—like the big-leaved colocasias you might see in water gardens.

Do Colocasia like to be misted?

Mist or rinse the foliage from time to time and create a humidity tray while the heaters are active to create a stable environment. The browning of leaf-tips on older leaves is wholly natural and is the product of extensive photosynthesis during its life.

What is the hardiest Colocasia?

Possibly the hardiest of all colocasias, 'Pink China' can tolerate zone 6 with a heavy layer of mulch as winter protection. It makes the perfect tropical plant for people in colder zones who don't want to move plants inside for the winter.

Do Colocasia like to be root bound?

A plant that likes to be root bound is one that doesn't mind the roots taking up a lot of space in the soil. Root-bound plants like alocasias are ones in which the roots growing out of the top of the soil or the bottom drainage are a good indicator for when they're ready for a new space.

Do Colocasia spread?

The plant grows best in part shade or filtered sun and moist, rich soil. It should not be allowed to dry out and should be protected from strong winds. The plant may spread and be divided much like other perennials with storage organs.

Do Colocasia like shade?

Colocasia needs plenty of warmth, humidity and moist soil to thrive. Outside, grow in dappled shade, in moist, rich soil in a sheltered spot and bring back indoors in autumn. If growing as a house plant, give it bright but indirect light and a humid atmosphere.

What is the difference between Colocasia black coral and black magic?

'Black Coral' – one in the Royal Hawaiian® Series with huge, glossy all-black corrugated leaves. 'Black Magic' – was the first black cultivar with dusty purple-black leaves (with green undertones in shady conditions), the blades slightly folded upwards, and dark petioles. It does not form corms.

Does Colocasia grow fast?

The most popular one is Colocasia esculenta which goes by the name taro. These plants grow fast and can quickly reach full size in two months. No matter what species you have, they are exotic and dramatic at the same time. The leaves reach up to three feet long and two feet wide.

What happens if you touch an elephant ear plant?

Elephant Ears are poisonous to children. Touching the stems or leaves can cause skin irritation and possibly a rash and itching. Eating the leaves, stems, or sap can cause a burning sensation in the mouth and throat and lead to swelling.

Do elephant ears like shade or sun?

Sun or Shade: Elephant ears will grow in sun or shade. If you put them in a hot, sunny location, make sure they get a little shade during the middle of the day. Zone: Elephant ears are tropical plants. In zones 9-11 they can be grown outdoors year-round.

What is the difference between Colocasia diamond head and black coral?

'BLACK CORAL' is similar in plant size, leaf color and glossy leaf to its male parent, 'Diamond Head'. However 'BLACK CORAL' exhibits an even darker, blacker leaf color with slightly bluish glossy venation. In addition, 'BLACK CORAL' exhibits prolific basal branching.