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Colocasia esculenta

Colocasia esculenta

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TaroPerennial, EvergreenFamily: Araceae

Height: 1mSpread: 60cm
Tender

Position

Sun Exposure:

Partial shade

Aspect:

East facing, north facing, south facing, west facing

Soil

Boggy / Clay / Heavy / Moist

Taro, Colocasia esculenta, is a tropical plant grown primarily as a vegetable food for its edible corm, and secondarily as a leaf vegetable. It can also be grown for its immense, spectacular foliage, adding a little bit of the tropics to your conservatory or garden.

Tender, Colocasia esculenta is best grown under glass, but may be moved outdoors to a sunny patio in summer. For best results plant the corms in a large container and keep well watered, misting foliage regularly to boost humidity levels. Keep out of direct sunlight. Water regularly and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly when in growth.

Although evergreen, taro foliage is likely to die down is temperatures dip below 21°C.

Harvest the tubers in autumn, when the foliage starts to die down. Lift the roots, which can be boiled or fried like potatoes. The leaves can be harvested all year round but don't strip the plant of foliage.

All parts of the plant are poisonous if eaten uncooked, and may cause skin irritation.

Plant calendar

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Colocasia ‘Esculenta’ and wildlife

Colocasia ‘Esculenta’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Colocasia ‘Esculenta’ poisonous?

Colocasia ‘Esculenta’ can be toxic.

Toxic to:

Is known to attract Cats

Cats

Is known to attract Dogs

Dogs

Is known to attract People

People

No reported toxicity to:

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds

Is not known to attract Horses

Horses

Is not known to attract Livestock

Livestock