Colocasia esculenta 'Pink China'
taro 'Pink China'
A vigorous, tuberous perennial, 1.2m tall, bearing large, heart-shaped leaves to 60cm. The foliage is light green, held on upright, pink-flushed stalks. A striking summer foliage plant and one of the hardiest colocasias; it will die back after the first frosts but should survive the winter given a deep, dry mulch. However, in very cold areas it is better to lift the rhizome in autumn and store it over winter
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Green | ||
| Autumn | Pink | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Araceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Potentially harmful
- Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Colocasia can be deciduous or evergreen, tuberous-rooted perennials with arrow-shaped or rounded leaves, often prominently veined; flowers are minute, on a spadix held within a small white spathe, but are seldom produced in cultivation
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant tubers in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil spring, choosing a sunny or lightly shaded spot with shelter from strong winds. Water freely when the plant comes into growth and apply a high nitrogen feed weekly. Once the foliage dies back in autumn, either cover the crown with a deep, dry mulch, or lift the tuber and store it dry over winter
Propagation
Propagate by division of rhizomes
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Bedding
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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