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Taro

Taro

Colocasia esculenta

perennialβ›… part shadeπŸ’§πŸ’§πŸ’§ 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
3–6β€² tall Γ— 2–4β€² wide
Dormancy
deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

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

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.