It is known that there are more than twenty varieties of Colocasia, herbaceous and rhizomatous plants that have large leaves, so large that one could put both open hands under them and they would be hidden. They are huge. But that is precisely why they are such popular plants: whether kept indoors or outdoors, they provide a bewitching tropical exoticism.
In addition, they are not demanding plants. All they need is light (but not direct) and heat. And this at home is easily achievable. For it, we are going to show the most recommended different types of colocasia.
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Colocasia ‘Black Coral’
Image – Flickr/cultivar413
The Colocasia ‘Black Coral’ is a plant that reaches a height of 1.20 meters and a width of 90 centimeters. Its leaves are large, up to 40-70 centimeters, and are dark lilac in color.. It is a beautiful cultivar that adapts very well to pot life, but it is important to protect it from frost.
Colocasia ‘Black Magic’
Image – elclubdelasplantas.com
The Colocasia ‘Black Magic’ is very similar to the previous one; in fact, it’s easy to confuse them if you don’t know them well. But to know if it is a ‘Black Magic’, just look at its leaves and touch them: if they are velvety, then it is, but if they are bright lilac, it will be a ‘Black Coral’. It must also be protected if temperatures drop below 0 degrees.
Colocasia ‘Hawaiian Punch’
Image – longfield-gardens.com
Colocasia ‘Hawaiian Punch’ is one of my favorite cultivars. It has green leaves, but the nerves and stems that hold them up are a gorgeous coral red color.. In addition, it can measure between 1 and 1.5 meters in height, and its rhizome supports moderate frosts very well. It is a perfect plant in the patio, on the terrace or in a room where there is plenty of light.
Colocasia esculenta (formerly Colocasia antiquorum)
Image – Wikimedia/NasserHalaweh
The colocasia esculenta it is the most common variety; and almost always it is also the “mother” of the cultivars that attract so much attention. It is known as malanga, taro, or pituca, and is native to Asia, probably southeast. It grows up to one meter tall and has green leaves about 40 centimeters long by 70 centimeters wide. Its stems are green. The rhizome resists frost, but its leaves die when the cold comes.
Colocasia gigantea
Image – Wikimedia/Dick Culbert
The Colocasia gigantea It is a species known as giant elephant ear or Indian taro that reaches a height of between 1.5 and 3 meters. Its leaves are green, large since they can measure almost a meter in length.. It is native to Southeast Asia including Japan, but although it can withstand the cold, only the rhizome will withstand some moderate frosts.
Colocasia ‘Kona Coffee’
Image – Flickr/Dick Culbert
Colocasia ‘Kona Coffee’ is a cultivar that has dark green or dark lilac leaves and reddish stems. It is a medium-sized plant, reaching a height of around 1 meter, and is ideal for growing in pots or ponds. Like other varieties, it tolerates cold very well, but frosts dry out the leaves.
Colocasia ‘Maui Gold’
Image – Wikimedia/Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Colocasia ‘Maui Gold’ is a cultivar that It has very light green leaves which, with the reflection of the sun, seem almost yellow.. The stems are pale in color and can be about 1 meter high. It needs a minimum of 6 hours of direct light, as well as a mild climate to grow well.
Colocasia ‘Mojito’
Image – carousell.com
Colocasia ‘Mojito’ is one of the most curious cultivars: it has green leaves with dark bluish lilac spots which attract a lot of attention. Moreover, it has red stems. It is a beautiful plant that reaches a height of 1 to 1.2 meters by about 60 centimeters wide. It can be kept in pots, ponds or in the garden exposed to the sun. It prefers warm climates, although it tolerates cold.
Colocasia ‘Teacup’
Image – brentandbeckysbulbs.com
Colocasia ‘Tea Cup’ somewhat resembles ‘Hawaiian Punch’, but differs in have almost black leaf veins and stalks, not red. These leaves are green and about 60 centimeters long. The total height of the plant is 1.5 meters, and the most interesting thing is that the rhizome easily withstands frost.
Colocasia ‘White Lava’
Image – Wikimedia/Cultivar 413
Colocasia ‘White Lava’ is another splendid cultivar. It has dark green leaves with a white patch that extends across its center., as if it were lava making its way through the grooves of a volcano. It grows up to 1.20 meters high and 90 centimeters wide. It likes the sun a lot, it can even expose itself to it directly, but it must be protected if there is frost in your area and you do not want it to lose its leaves (the rhizome supports negative temperatures well ).
Which of these types of Colocasia did you like the most?