If you love tropical plants we have the perfect one for you. One of the many species of elephant ear plants, the taro plant has gigantic leaves with a variety of unique colors. Plus, the taro root, which is actually one of the top staple foods in the world, is growing!
Taro is an ancient plant. Originally from Southeast Asia, it is believed to be one of the first plants ever to be cultivated. Virtually every country you visit, from Australia to Belize to Papua New Guinea, has its own taro-focused dishes like poi today. Hawaii is the main commercial producer in the United States. In the tropical state alone there are 100 types of taro, which is an important part of Hawaiian cuisine.
If you're wondering what taro roots look like in the first place, imagine a ring-shaped and hairy potato. After peeling, the taro meat is white or pink and has a sweet, nutty taste. The giant leaves are also edible and are usually cooked like spinach.
Elephant ears thrive outdoors in tropical areas, but also grow in US Zones 8-10. It's also an excellent houseplant, although it does require a lot of sunlight. Because of its size, taro will definitely draw attention in your home or garden. And because of its tubers, taro will enhance your edible gardening game.
Good Products for Growing Taro Plants:
Brief instructions for care
The taro plant is a lush tropical plant that is widely used for its edible root. Source: Jen R.
| Common Name (s) | Taro, Dasheen, Caladium, Melange, Cocoyam, Eddo |
| Scientific name | Colocasia esculenta |
| Days to harvest | 7 month |
| light | Partial sun |
| Water: | Heavy and durable |
| ground | Fertile, loamy, sour |
| fertilizer | High in potassium |
| Pests | Spider mites, root-knot nematodes |
| Diseases | Fungal leaf rot, pythium rot, downy mildew |
All about taro plant
Taro has large leaves and can be very showy. Source: Joel Abroad
What is taro root? Well we weren't kidding when we said this plant is big. Mature taro plants reach 3 to 6 feet in height and width. The leaves themselves can grow up to 3 feet tall. At the base of the plant is a main tuber that stores nutrients to keep the plant through the winter. Fibrous roots, called tubers, grow from this tuber, as do several smaller tubers.
Instead of stalks, long and thick leaf stalks connect the foliage directly to the root, similar to a beet plant. The leaves are heart-shaped and have distinct veins. They're usually green, but they can also be purple, red, and even black. Different varieties mix these colors in numerous patterns. The plant blooms rarely and sporadically. Its flowers resemble calla lilies, but are not very noticeable on the much larger leaves.
Because it is a tropical plant, taro is used to a long growing season. It takes seven months of warm weather to mature and rests in mild winters. In cold regions, elephant ears can be grown annually for decorative purposes.
Taro has so many different names that we may not be able to list all of them. You will most often refer to it as the taro or dasheen plant, although caladium, melange, cocoyam, and eddo are also common names. Botanically, this plant is one species, Cococasia esculenta, but has tons of varieties.
The varieties usually differ in color, but some have tastier roots or need to be grown in a specific way. Taro can grow in dry or wet conditions, but some varieties are only intended for one. We recommend "Bun Long" or "Elepaio" as varieties for good root production. For decorative purposes only, Black Magic, Blue Hawaii, or Hilo Beauty are excellent choices.
Let's not forget one last detail: taro is slightly poisonous in its raw state. The entire plant contains calcium oxalate, a harsh chemical that is irritating to the mouth and stomach. Fortunately, cooking the plant well can destroy this toxin completely.
Plant taro root
As with rice, many growers flood the young taro fields. Source: Madrons
The eddo plant is grown by vegetative propagation, usually through the tubers or tubers. Like potatoes, you can plant small tubers or parts of a large one. You can also buy taro starts at a kindergarten.
Choose a location with rich, moist soil that receives partial sunlight. Taro plants grow great on the edge of a backyard pond as they grow well in water-soaked conditions. Indoors, you'll need a fairly large pot and a spacious spot next to a south-facing window.
Work some organic material into the soil before planting. As your taro grows it will love the nutrients and clayey texture. Plant each tuber 2-3 inches deep and 15-24 inches apart. A common practice is to plant them in 6 inch furrows to conserve water.
Taro care
Different stages of growth can be observed in these taro fields. Source: The Displaced Librarian
To keep them healthy, you need to keep pace with grooming needs. Taro plants grow fast, get ready for a wild summer!
Sun and temperature
Taro Colocasia esculenta prefers partial shade or speckled sunlight. A spacious place under a tree is perfect! If it's inside, give it as much light as possible. This plant must also be protected from strong winds.
The ideal temperature is 77-95 ° F. Taro tubers need at least 200 days of warm, frost-free weather to ripen, so you need to be careful with timing. If your plant lives outdoors year round, the temperature should always be above 45 ° F (cooler temperatures can affect tuber growth). Inner taros should only be placed outside during the window between the last and first frost.
Water and moisture
It is important that the soil never dry out. The taro plant can grow in up to 6 inches of water, so don't be shy about the watering can! This plant is ideal for those hard-to-fill spaces in your garden that flood frequently. However, keep the tubers dry in winter so the plant can rest.
High humidity is best for this plant. Use a plant humidifier indoors to keep the taro leaves happy. You can also spray the plant with a spray bottle for extra moisture.
ground
Colocasia esculenta grows best in moist soil, but that doesn't mean you should plant in straight mud. Instead, choose a soil with a lot of humus. It must be very fertile with a loamy texture. It should hold the water well while also draining off so well that the roots don't drown. A slightly acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is preferable for taro leaves.
Fertilize
These huge leaves need lots of nutrients to grow. During the growing season, give your elephant ears not only fertile soil but also a high-potassium fertilizer. You may want to test your soil beforehand as excess nitrogen can lead to fragile taro plants.
Multiplication
Because flowering is so unpredictable on this plant, division is the best way to propagate it. Pick a healthy taro plant and dig the whole thing up. Brush the soil from the roots and you will see the main tuber. Look for mini-tubers that have emerged from the main tuber and tear them off. These small tubers should already have some roots and maybe even a petiole shoot. Plant each tuber directly in the ground or start them in a medium-sized container. When you've kept the leaves intact, replant the main tuber.
Harvesting and storing
The taro root or tuber is edible after cooking and is used in several kitchens. Source: Arbyreed
Some gardeners only grow the elephant ear as a decoration, but it's worth harvesting at least once. How to turn this beautiful plant into a delicious dish.
harvest
When it is ripe, the taro leaves turn yellow and begin to die. This is your signal to harvest the tubers. However, taro roots can stay in the ground until the frost, so you don't have to rush to harvest them. You can only harvest the tubers once, so say goodbye to the beautiful leaves and take your spade!
Lift the entire plant, chop off the leaves, and brush the soil. You should have one large tuber and several smaller ones. The small tubers can be eaten or saved for planting the next year. The leaves can be harvested during the entire growing season. Do not take more than 3/4 of the leaves of a plant, otherwise it will not be able to photosynthesize.
If you want to overwinter your plant instead of harvesting it, cut the leaves and leave the tubers in the ground. If you live in the right area, they will sprout again next spring. Gardeners with cold climates can remove any tubers and overwinter in a cool, dry place like a garage or shed. The temperature should be above 45 ° F to keep the tubers viable.
storage
Unlike potatoes, taro softens quickly after harvest, so you should eat it as soon as possible. Until then, store the roots in a dark, ventilated place (not in the refrigerator). Colocasia leaves should be washed and kept in the refrigerator for up to a week.
It is imperative that you cook all of the taro plant parts before consuming it. The sodium oxalate is just below the outside. Therefore, use gloves when preparing taro. Bake, fry, fry, or boil your taro and eat it warm (they go great with coconut milk). Taro can be prepared like a potato, but does not hold up well when mashed.
Once cooked, the taro root can be frozen and blanched before freezing. Place the taro in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to a year.
Troubleshooting
Ripe taro plants can take up a lot of space. Source: Andym5855
Most Colocasia esculenta live their lives free of diseases and pests. However, you should always be on the lookout for potential problems that can wipe out your crops.
Growing problems
The worst thing you can do to your Colocasia esculenta is stress get it out. Infrequent watering and fertilizing or fluctuating temperatures can seriously affect the growth and health of the plant. The result could be limited harvests and / or problems with pests and diseases. Make a schedule of watering and fertilizing, and keep your taro in a place with consistently warm temperatures.
Underwater leaves the leaves wither and curl up. OverwateringOn the other hand, the plant becomes mushy and invites pests and diseases. Make changes to your watering schedule as needed.
Pests
Spider mites can be quite a nuisance for taro, especially when grown indoors. These tiny arachnids spin ultra-fine webs on the taro leaf and feed on its juice. They are common in hot and dry conditions. Some easy ways to get rid of them are to sprinkle the plant with water or apply neem oil. Persistent populations can be controlled with a pyrethrin insecticide.
Root node nematodes are a common problem with commercial taro cultivation and can be in your garden as well. These parasitic roundworms chew on roots, causing the plant to yellow, weaken and stop growing. Organically eliminating nematodes can be difficult, especially since most nematicides also kill beneficial nematodes. It is best to use beneficial nematodes so that they can hunt and kill any root-knot nematodes living in the soil. You can prevent nematode damage by rotating your plants and removing dead plants from the soil.
Diseases
Phytophthora disease is the disease you are most likely to encounter. It causes water-soaked lesions that rot the plant. These lesions can be accompanied by indistinct growth. If left untreated, the leaf rot will eventually collapse the entire plant. Prevent this disease by keeping the plant dry above ground. Leaf rot can be combated with the weekly application of copper fungicide.
Pythium is the fungus responsible for tuber rot. It is often caused by moist soil conditions. This makes it difficult to control as taro likes a lot of water. Once established, this disease cannot be cured, so prevention is key. Avoid stagnant water, plant-resistant species, and only plant crowns that you are certain to be disease-free.
Wrong mildew looks like yellow or brown dust on the foliage. Like the last two diseases, it thrives in moisture and can cause serious damage. Downy mildew later releases spores that easily infect neighboring plants. It can eventually spread to your entire yard, killing him. Intervene as soon as possible with neem oil or copper fungicide.
frequently asked Questions
Taro can be an incredible ornament because of its large leaves. Source: Ewen and Donabel
Q: are taro plant leaves edible?
A: Yes, but they need to be cooked first. They are often used like spinach.
Q: Are elephant ears and taro the same thing?
One species. Elephant ears are a number of different types of plants, all of which have large leaves. We have an in-depth article that covers a wide variety of elephant ear plants. So, if you are looking for some ornamental varieties like Alocasia, this is your place to read!
Q: is taro healthier than potatoes?
A: Taro actually has more nutrients than the average potato. It contains more fiber and potassium, as well as vitamins B, C and E.
The green fingers behind this article:
Rachel Garcia
Juicy fanatic 
Lorin Nielsen
Lifelong gardener
