Also known as Taro · 97 gardener saves
Colocasia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Colocasia, the genus most gardeners know as taro. We track 36 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Colocasia varieties
Of 36 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedBlack Runner Taro
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Runner'
#2 most savedTaro
Colocasia esculenta
#3 most savedBlack Beauty Taro
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Beauty'
Elephant Ear
Colocasia esculenta 'Chicago Harlequin'
Black Magic Taro
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'
Pink China Elephant Ear
Colocasia esculenta 'Pink China'
Elephant Ear Ruffles
Colocasia esculenta 'Ruffles'
Diamond Head Taro Elephant Ear
Colocasia esculenta 'Diamond Head'
Hawaiian Punch Elephant Ear
Colocasia esculenta 'Hawaiian Punch'
Yellow Splash Elephant Ear
Colocasia esculenta 'Yellow Splash'
Dwarf Elephant Ear 'Jenningsii'
Colocasia affinis 'Jenningsii'
Thailand Giant Taro
Colocasia gigantea 'Thailand Giant'
Browse all 36 Colocasia varieties →
How to grow Colocasia
What the Colocasia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 36 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Colocasia year
- PlantApril and May100% of varieties
Plant corms after all danger of frost has passed and soil is warm
- FertilizeMay–August100% of varieties
Feed monthly with a balanced, high-nitrogen fertilizer for lush growth
- Lift & StoreSeptember and October97% of varieties
Dig corms after first light frost, dry, and store in a cool, dry place for winter
- Check for PestsJune–August67% of varieties
Monitor for spider mites, especially during hot, dry periods.
Do
- Keep soil consistently moist 🌱
- Fertilize monthly during active growth
- Mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Provide partial shade in hot climates
Avoid
- Avoid letting soil dry out completely ❌
- Refrain from over-fertilizing to prevent leaf burn
- Do not expose to full sun in hot climates
- Allow soil to dry out completely ❌
What goes wrong with Colocasia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Apply miticide or increase humidity |
| Spider mites | Webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and use neem oil |
| Slugs | Skeletonized leaves | Use organic slug bait or handpick |
| Root Rot | Soft, decayed roots and wilting | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
| Leaf Spot | Brown or black spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and apply organic fungicide |
Making more Colocasia
Tuber division
- Dig up tubers in early spring
- Separate into sections with at least one eye each
- Plant immediately in prepared soil
- Water thoroughly after planting
- Allow 6 weeks for new growth
Corm division
- Dig up mature clumps in early spring.
- Gently separate corms with a sharp knife, ensuring each has some roots.
- Plant divisions at same depth as original in prepared soil.
- Water thoroughly and mulch to retain moisture.
- Wait 6 weeks for new growth.
Colocasia questions
How many types of Colocasia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 36 distinct Colocasia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 97 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Colocasia grow in?
Across its varieties, Colocasia covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Colocasia bloom?
Most Colocasia varieties bloom in early summer, late summer, summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Colocasia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Colocasia
Colocasia shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Colocasia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
