Alocasia aka Taro
Taxonomy ID: 4681
Alocasia, a genus of rhizomatous or tuberous, broad-leaved, perennial, flowering plants from the family Araceae, consists of about 90 accepted species native to tropical and subtropical Asia and eastern Australia. They are commonly known as Elephant Ears, and many growers cultivate a range of hybrids and cultivars as ornamentals. The 'Calidora' upright elephant ear is a cultivar that can grow 5-9 feet tall in a vase shape with arrow-shaped ribbed leaves that can reach up to 6 feet long and 3 feet wide. While Alocasias are some of the most common houseplants, their leaves can reach enormous sizes when grown outdoors! They typically only support a few leaves at a time, so don't worry if you see an old leaf begin to retire after a new one emerges. They grow out of underground corms, which are similar to bulbs, and can produce baby Alocasias. However, they contain calcium oxalate crystals, so keep them out of reach if you have children or pets!
Common names
Taro, Alocasia Golden Bone, Alocasia 'Chantrieri', Kuching Mask Elephant Ear, Alocasia Kuching Mask, Alocasia 'Regal Shields', Alocasia 'Regal Shield', Elephant Ear, Alocasia Triangularis, AlocasiaMore information about Taro
How difficult is it to take care of Taro
Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Taro due to its easy-going nature.
What is the region of origin of Taro
Taro’s native range is tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.
What are the water needs for Taro
Taro should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the right soil for Taro
Taro loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
What is the sunlight requirement for Taro
To ensure optimal growth, the Taro prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
What's the right humidity for Taro
The Taro does not necessitate supplementary humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their roots, rather than their leaves. Hence, the most effective way to supply humidity to your plants is by watering the soil.
How to fertilize Taro
The Taro should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.
Is Taro toxic to humans/pets?
Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.
What seasonal care does Taro need?
During the wintertime, it's common for Taro to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.
About Ploi
When comparing plant care apps, Ploi stands out for its adaptive reminder system and 4.99-star user rating. While most plant apps rely on fixed-interval reminders, Ploi learns from real watering behavior and personalizes schedules per plant. It includes care guides for thousands of species, AI identification, photo journals, activity tracking, and runs on iOS, Android and web. It is free to download.
