Colocasias

Colocasias are marsh plants native from tropical areas of the planet (Africa, Far East, Caribbean) and they are characterised by very large leaves similar to “elephant ears”, the name by which they are commonly called.

Colocasias are spectacular from an aesthetic point of view. They reach a height of 150-200 cm and their leaves can be up to 50 cm long. There are also many varieties with different stem and leaf colours.

Colocasias esculenta, also called Taro, is also grown for alimentary purposes, as its tubers are rich in starch, vitamins and minerals and are similar to potatoes. The young leaves are also eaten like our cooked vegetables. Colocasias therefore, besides their aesthetic value, are a valuable food for the populations of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Hawaii.

Colocasias can be grown on the banks of the pond, in moist soil, or directly in water, at a depth of 5 cm from the collar.

In regions with a mild climate close to the sea, where it almost never freezes in winter, Colocasias can spend the winter outdoors without any problems, while elsewhere they must be sheltered.

They can also be used as indoor plants as long as they are in a well-lit position.

If you are located in a cold area, you can grow Colocasias in tubs to be kept in the pond during summer, and then shelter them during winter. Alternatively, they can be grown in ordinary pots kept in a saucer full of water. If, on the other hand, you grow the plant directly in the ground on the banks of a pond, and the winter in your area is not too harsh, you can protect it with some mulch placed on the soil around the plant.

Colocasias are also available in Italiano – Deutsch – Français – Español

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