Taro

Colocasia esculenta

perennial1.5×1.5 mzone 7–10light shade

Will it grow where I live?

Taro is hardy to zone 7: lowlands, river valleys and cities across Central Europe are fine, harsher continental or upland sites need winter protection or a container. The summer heat it needs to ripen is out of reach outdoors in Central Europe – greenhouse or conservatory.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family: Araceae
Habit: perennial
Height: 1.5 m
Spread: 1.5 m
Growth: very slow
Lifespan: 5 years
First yield: after 1 year
Hardiness: zone 7–10
Shade tolerance: light shade
Soil: Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay
Soil moisture: moist – very wet
pH: 5.5 – 7

Uses

Medicinal4 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Taro: how big does it get?

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) grows as a perennial and reaches roughly 1.5 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 1.5 m. Growth is very slow.

Taro: what site does it need?

Taro tolerates light shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay. Soil moisture should be in the range moist – very wet. The pH may lie between 5.5 and 7.

Taro: is it hardy?

Taro is listed as hardy in zone 7–10 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Taro: will it grow in Central Europe?

Taro: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Taro. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Taro: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Medicinal 4/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

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