East facing, north facing, south facing, west facing
Soil
Boggy / Clay / Heavy / Moist
Taro, Colocasia esculenta, is a tropical plant grown primarily as a vegetable food for its edible corm, and secondarily as a leaf vegetable. It can also be grown for its immense, spectacular foliage, adding a little bit of the tropics to your conservatory or garden.
Colocasia esculenta 'Illustris' has enormous, heart-shaped bronze leaves with lime-green veining. Tender, it's best grown under glass, but may be moved outdoors to a sunny patio in summer.
For best results plant Colocasia esculenta 'Illustris' corms in a large container and keep well watered, misting foliage regularly to boost humidity levels. Keep out of direct sunlight. Water regularly and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly when in growth.
Although evergreen, taro foliage is likely to die down is temperatures dip below 21°C.
Harvest the tubers in autumn, when the foliage starts to die down. Lift the roots, which can be boiled or fried like potatoes. The leaves can be harvested all year round but don't strip the plant of foliage.
All parts of the plant are poisonous if eaten uncooked, and may cause skin irritation.
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Colocasia ‘Illustris’ and wildlife
Colocasia ‘Illustris’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Colocasia ‘Illustris’ poisonous?
Colocasia ‘Illustris’ has no toxic effects reported.
