Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito' (v)
taro 'Mojito'
A frost-tender, tuberous perennial, 1m tall, bearing large, heart-shaped leaves. The foliage is light green, mottled and splashed with dark purple, and the leaf stalks are similarly marked. A striking summer foliage plant
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 | Green Purple | Green Purple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Purple | Green Purple | ||
| Autumn | Green Purple | Green Purple | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical 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 a large pot of humus-rich compost in warm conditions in early spring. In early summer the pot can be positioned in a sunny or lightly shaded spot outdoors, with shelter from strong winds. Water freely when the plant comes into growth and apply a high nitrogen feed weekly. Either move the pot into a greenhouse or conservatory over winter, or lift the tuber and store it dry
Propagation
Propagate by division of rhizomes
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Bedding
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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