Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is an ancient tropical perennial root crop, often called Dasheen, Eddo, or Elephant Ear due to its large foliage. Originating in Southeast Asia, it has been cultivated for millennia as a staple food source, primarily for its starchy underground corm. The plant provides both edible root vegetables and leafy greens, making it a productive addition to a garden. Successful cultivation requires mimicking its native warm, moist environment.
Preparing the Environment
Taro thrives in warm, humid conditions, requiring an extended period of warm weather to mature. Ideal growth temperatures range between 68°F and 86°F, and the plant is highly sensitive to frost, which causes the foliage to die back. Select a location that offers full sun to partial shade, ensuring some protection from intense afternoon sun that can scorch the broad leaves.
The soil must be consistently moist to wet, as Taro is semi-aquatic. The medium should be rich in organic matter and possess excellent water retention capabilities. Traditional cultivation often occurs in flooded paddies, but in a garden setting, heavy clay or a loam amended with compost is necessary to keep the root zone perpetually damp.
If growing in a container, the pot must be deep and wide to accommodate the plant’s size and corm development. Containers require high moisture retention but must also allow for drainage to prevent stagnant soil and root rot. Maintaining a slightly acidic soil pH, ideally between 5.5 and 6.5, helps the plant absorb necessary nutrients.
Planting Taro: Starting Methods
Taro is most frequently propagated from the main underground corm or from smaller side cormels and offshoots. When using a corm, prepare it by cutting the top section, where the growth buds are located. Allowing this cut surface to dry for a day or two (curing) helps minimize fungal diseases after planting.
The prepared corm or offshoot should be planted with the growing point facing upward, buried 2 to 4 inches below the soil surface. Spacing the plants 15 to 24 inches apart gives each specimen adequate room to develop its canopy and underground corm system.
To replicate a wetland environment, the corm can be pressed into the muddy substrate near a pond or specialized bog bed. This setup provides the constant saturation that some varieties prefer, often leading to larger corm development. The soil should be thoroughly watered immediately after planting to establish the high moisture level the plant requires.
Essential Routine Care
Consistent and abundant moisture is the most important factor for successful Taro cultivation. The soil must never be permitted to dry out, as this severely stresses the plant and inhibits corm development. Water deeply and frequently, often daily during hot weather, aiming to keep the soil consistently saturated, sometimes even standing in a few inches of water depending on the variety.
Applying a thick layer of organic mulch helps regulate soil temperature and significantly reduces water evaporation, maintaining high moisture levels. Mulching also suppresses weed growth, which is beneficial since Taro is sensitive to competition, particularly during the first six months of growth.
Taro is a heavy feeder and benefits from regular fertilization throughout the growing season. The fertilizer type depends on the desired harvest. A nitrogen-rich formula supports large, lush leaves if the foliage is the primary product. To maximize the edible corm size, the plant benefits from a balanced fertilizer, often with increased potassium as it matures.
A balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be incorporated at planting, followed by liquid feeds every four to six weeks. As the plant develops, older leaves will naturally yellow and die back (senescence). Removing these yellowing or damaged leaves at the base of the petiole directs the plant’s energy toward new growth and corm production.
Managing Common Issues and Harvesting
Taro can be susceptible to common garden pests, notably spider mites and aphids, which feed on the sap of the large leaves. These pests cluster on the undersides of the foliage and can be managed with a strong stream of water or by applying insecticidal soap.
Fungal issues, such as leaf blight, are common in environments with high humidity and poor air circulation, appearing as dark, water-soaked lesions. Management involves immediately removing and destroying infected plant material and avoiding watering from above late in the day. Maintaining adequate spacing and regular pruning improves air movement, reducing conditions favorable for fungal spore germination.
Taro is ready for harvest when the corm has fully developed, typically seven to twelve months after planting. Maturity is indicated by a noticeable yellowing and die-back of the older, outer leaves. To harvest, gently dig up the entire plant and separate the main corm and any attached cormels from the roots.
Corms can be stored for a short period, generally no longer than a month, before consumption. All parts of the Colocasia esculenta plant contain calcium oxalate crystals. These compounds cause significant irritation if consumed raw, so harvested parts must be cooked thoroughly (e.g., boiling or steaming) before they are safe to eat.