May be invasive in some regions. Click to learn more →
Photo: Kuan-Chieh (Chuck) Hung, CC BY-NC-SA
Taro
Colocasia esculenta
herbaceous⛅ part shade💧💧💧 high waterZone 8a – Zone 11b
Taro is a tropical perennial grown for its edible starchy corms and ornamental heart-shaped leaves. It thrives in warm, humid conditions with consistent moisture and produces large, dramatic foliage.
Overview
Form
Upright
Growth Rate
fast
Size
3–6′ tall × 2–4′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous
Tolerances & Soil
none
Zone 8aZone 11b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 8a to Zone 11b
Seasonality
Harvest Season
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Season of Interest
Summer
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
early successional
Native Range
Southeast Asia
Function & Care
biomass/mulchdynamic accumulatoredible
Edible Parts
rootleaf
Establishment & Care
Establishment
easy
Maintenance
moderate
Years to Bearing
1 years
Propagation
tuber, division
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
Dasheen (larger corms, suited to temperate cultivation) and Eddoe (smaller corms, higher yields) are among the most common cultivars, with regional varieties selected for corm size, taste, and pest resistance.
