Colocasia Species, Elephant Ear, Taro, Dasheen, Kalo, Cocoyam, Kachhu, Eddoe
Colocasiaesculenta

Family: Araceae (a-RAY-see-ee)
Genus: Colocasia (kol-oh-KAY-see-uh)
Species: esculenta (es-kew-LEN-tuh)

Synonym:Colocasia acris

Synonym:Colocasia aegyptiaca

Synonym:Colocasia euchlora

Synonym:Colocasia formosana

Synonym:Colocasia gracilis

Category
Bulbs
Vegetables
Ponds and Aquatics
Tropicals and Tender Perennials

Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens

Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade

Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Succulent

Foliage Color

Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)

Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Where to Grow

Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color
Gold (yellow-orange)

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall

Other details

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)

Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed