Colocasia esculenta – Elephant Ear “Apopo” (Small)

This Colocasia esculenta is a smaller propagation from OG Taro, one of the foundation plants of my tropical collection. I first noticed its new growth forming near the base of the parent plant—broad, heart-shaped leaves unfolding in soft arcs that immediately felt familiar. Unlike its cousin, the upright Alocasia macrorrhiza, this Colocasia grows with a more relaxed posture, its leaves curving gently downward as if bowing to the light. It’s a quiet, generous grower that brings that unmistakable lushness of the tropics into the garden.

Colocasia esculenta, often called Elephant Ear or Taro, belongs to the Colocasia group within the Araceae family. Native to Southeast Asia, it’s cultivated widely for both its beauty and its edible roots. The leaves are large, velvety, and shaped like hearts, designed to catch and shed rain effortlessly. In warm climates, it thrives near ponds, shaded patios, or moist garden soil—anywhere it can stay consistently hydrated. Its stems emerge from underground corms, producing new offsets that multiply easily, each one carrying that same rhythmic, flowing form.

What I love most about this propagation is its sense of calm resilience. It’s patient, forgiving, and always expressive in how it moves—tilting slightly after a rainfall, lifting again with morning sun. It’s a plant that teaches balance, rooted in water but grounded in endurance.

🪴 Note About This Plant

• Common name: Elephant Ear “Taro”
• Broad, heart-shaped leaves that curve downward in soft, fluid arcs.
• Loves warm humidity and consistently moist soil; thrives in partial shade or filtered light.