Buzz
Colocasia, scientifically known as Colocasia, is a tropical plant that can grow up to 3 meters tall, featuring broad, heart-shaped leaves that resemble elephant ears. If you admire this beautiful plant, you can plant its tubers in early spring in suitable soil conditions. Proper care, including regular watering and fertilization, will help it thrive. During colder months, dig up the tubers for storage and replant them the following spring. If you live in USDA hardiness zone 8 or above, you can leave the tubers in the ground to regrow the next year.
Steps
Growing Colocasia Plants
Plant the tubers in spring when nighttime temperatures stay above 10°C. Wait until the risk of frost has passed to avoid damaging the plant. This period typically falls around April or May.
- Daytime temperatures around 21°C are ideal.
Tip: If you want to have plants earlier, you can start by planting the tubers in pots indoors a few weeks before spring. Once the outdoor temperature is warm enough, you can transplant them into your garden.
Choose a spot with indirect sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. Plant Colocasia in a partially shaded area where the soil remains moist. Generally, this means a location that receives 3-6 hours of sunlight daily.
- If the plant doesn’t get enough sunlight, you’ll notice the leaves turning yellow.
- The more sunlight the planting area receives, the more water you’ll need to provide to prevent the soil from drying out.
Find a location with moist but well-draining soil. Colocasia thrives in tropical, high-humidity environments. Plant it in damp areas like near ponds or marshes. Proper drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.
- You can create a tropical environment in your garden by keeping the soil consistently moist and never letting it dry out completely.
- Using raised beds or installing a drainage system can help prevent waterlogging.
- Test the drainage by digging a hole about 30 cm deep and filling it with water. If it takes more than 4 hours to drain, the soil has poor drainage.
- Avoid overwatering the plants.
Test the soil to ensure its pH is between 5.5 and 7. A pH of 7 is considered neutral. Colocasia prefers slightly acidic, organic-rich soil. You can use a pH testing kit at home to check if the soil is suitable.
- To lower the pH, you can add sulfur, gypsum, or organic compost to the soil.
- To raise the pH, sprinkle garden lime or limestone into the soil.
Place the Colocasia tubers in holes spaced at least 1 meter apart. Colocasia not only showcases broad leaves but also spreads rapidly. Ensure each plant has enough space to grow freely.
- Choose clumping varieties if you want to control their spread.
- If you don’t provide enough space, the plants will compete for sunlight and water. Larger plants will overshadow smaller ones, depriving them of adequate light.
Preventing Colocasia from Invading Your Garden
Choose the Colocasia variety. This type typically grows in clumps within a confined space rather than spreading widely.
Dig a trench about 15 cm wide as a boundary around the Colocasia tubers. Prevent the plants from spreading by creating a deep trench to separate them from other plants in the garden.
Divide the Colocasia plants when they outgrow their area. Dig up and replant some tubers to space them out. This will prevent overcrowding.
Grow Colocasia in pots. If no other method works and you still love the beauty of Colocasia, plant them in pots. You can keep the pots outdoors or bring them inside.
Dig a hole so the tuber is 2.5 – 5 cm below the soil surface. Colocasia thrives when planted close to the surface. A general rule is to dig a hole 2 to 4 times the size of the tuber. Use a trowel or garden shovel for digging.
- The tuber will rise as it sprouts, so leave enough space to prevent it from emerging above the soil.
- Larger tubers will require slightly deeper holes.
Place the tuber in the hole with the flat side facing down. Colocasia tubers can be tricky to orient as they lack a clear top. The top is the end with concentric circles. Position this end upward and press the tuber firmly into the soil.
- The bottom may have remnants of roots from the previous season.
- If unsure, place the tuber horizontally. Roots will naturally grow downward, and shoots will emerge upward.
Cover the tuber with soil and water thoroughly. The soil layer should be 2.5 – 5 cm thick. Firmly press the soil with your hands, ensuring no part of the tuber is exposed. Water until the soil around the tuber is soaked.
- Colocasia requires ample water, especially after planting.
Mark the planting location. It may take weeks for the plant to emerge. Use stakes, stones, or other markers to remember where the tubers are planted. Place the marker beside, not directly above, the tuber.
- This is helpful if you have other plants, shrubs, or flowers in the garden, ensuring proper spacing and organization.
Caring for the taro plant
Wait for the first sprout to appear within 1-3 weeks. The time it takes for the first shoot to emerge depends on the air and soil temperature. Growth may be slower in cooler conditions.
- If no sprout appears after 3 weeks, carefully dig up the tuber to check for rot. Remove any damaged parts and replant.
Water the base of the plant in the morning to maintain soil moisture. Taro is a tropical plant and requires ample water. Water close to the ground beneath the leaves to avoid wetting the foliage. It's best for the plant to dry by night to prevent disease.
- Avoid letting the plant dry out completely between waterings, as this can stress the plant.
- Drooping leaves indicate the need for more water.
Fertilize the plant monthly with slow-release fertilizer. Taro plants need plenty of nutrients and thrive in fertile soil. Slow-release fertilizers provide a steady supply of nutrients, promoting consistent growth and reducing maintenance.
- Choose a fertilizer high in nitrogen, which helps the plant produce chlorophyll, resulting in vibrant green leaves.
- Enhance soil nutrition by adding organic compost or manure.
Trim brown or discolored leaves as needed. This encourages new growth and keeps your garden looking lively. Use garden shears to remove damaged leaves as close to the tuber as possible, avoiding cutting into the tuber itself.
- Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin, as taro leaves contain compounds that may cause irritation.
- Excessive yellow or brown leaves may indicate insufficient sunlight or water.
Harvesting and winter storage of plants
Trim the leaves when the plant stops producing new foliage. A slowdown in leaf growth signals that it’s time to prepare the plant for winter storage. To get the plant ready, cut the leaves just above the tuber.
- Yellowing leaves also indicate that the plant is entering dormancy.
- You can discard the leaves or use them to wrap the tubers for storage.
- Be careful to avoid cutting or damaging the tuber.
- The best time to trim the leaves is early to mid-autumn.
Dig up the plant when temperatures drop below 7°C. The plant will struggle to survive and typically goes dormant when temperatures stay below 7°C for several days or when the first frost arrives. Use a garden spade to carefully dig up the plant.
- If you live in a warm tropical climate, you may not need to dig up the plant. Treat it like other perennials and cover it with at least 8 cm of mulch.
Dry the tubers for 1-2 days. Drying helps prevent mold and bacterial growth. Place the tubers in a dry area at room temperature, either indoors or outdoors. Wait until the tubers feel completely dry to the touch.
- Store them out of reach of children and pets. Any remaining leaves on the tubers can be toxic.
Store the tubers in a perforated paper bag. Avoid airtight containers, as they trap moisture and can cause the tubers to rot. A perforated paper bag allows moisture to escape.
- Wrap the tubers in taro leaves, peat moss, or vermiculite for better preservation.
- If you don’t have a paper bag, a mesh bag is a suitable alternative.
Store the tubers in a cool, dry place with temperatures between 7°C and 13°C. Throughout the winter months, keep the bags containing the tubers in a low-humidity area to prevent mold. A basement or unheated garage is ideal for storage.
- Periodically check the taro tubers. If any show signs of rot, discard them immediately to prevent spreading to others.
Warning
- Taro leaves contain oxalic acid, which can be toxic if consumed raw. If poisoning occurs, seek medical attention immediately.
- Wear gloves when handling taro plants, especially if you have sensitive skin.
