Alocasia macrorrhizos aka Giant Taro

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Giant Taro is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Giant Taro should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Giant 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.

Giant Taro requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Elephant Ear is always in the right place to thrive.

During the cold period, it is common for Giant Taro to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

No extra humidity is necessary for the Giant Taro. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.

Repotting the Giant Taro should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Giant Taro’s native range is tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.