Colocasia esculenta ‘Illustris’ (Taro)

Primarily grown for its spectacular foliage, Colocasia esculenta ‘Illustris’ (Taro) is a tuberous, frost-tender perennial with huge, long-stalked, heart-shaped, blackish purple leaves adorned with dramatic bright green veins. The giant leaves can measure up to 3 ft. long (90 cm). Unlike the leaves of Alocasia, which point skyward, the leaves of Colocasia droop and point toward the ground. Reminiscent of calla lily flowers, pale yellow flowers are infrequently produced in summer. Strong, fast-growing, ‘Illustris’ is a hassle-free tropical plant that makes an unforgettable focal point and brings a distinctly tropical look to the landscape, water gardens, or large containers. In cold winter areas, it is best grown indoors as a houseplant during winter.

• Grows up to 3-5 ft. tall (90-150 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm)
• Performs best in sun or part shade in organically rich, moist to wet soils. Provide a sheltered location to protect the decorative leaves from strong winds.
• Elephant Ears love water and nutrients. They require regular watering, particularly during dry summer periods. Provide regular fertilization during the growing season. The more you feed them, the larger they will grow. They can be planted in up to 6 in. (15 cm) of standing water.
• Perfect as a specimen or in groups for beds and borders, near streams and ponds, or in large containers.
• Generally disease free. Watch for glasshouse red spider mites, aphids, and glasshouse whitefly.
• This plant is not edible and can be harmful to humans if ingested.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• Native to tropical eastern Asia, Colocasia esculenta species was first brought to the Americas as a food crop for slaves. It was later promoted as an alternative crop to potatoes. Colocasia esculenta can tolerate a wide range of wet to dry sites and can easily invade wetland edges, swamps, blackwater streams, and riverine forests.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.