Jackie Carroll has been a freelance writer since 1995. 375. Although they can be left in the ground over winter in USDA zones as cool as 8, bulbs in containers are more sensitive to freezing conditions. The plants also cause stomachaches in humans if eaten uncooked. We boil or steam the root and pound it to make poi. Colocasia plants (Elephant Ear plants) are common outdoor decorative plants, but also make a beautiful addition indoors! I am enjoying my mojito as a houseplant in Atlanta, moved to a dappled sunlight spot on the … Saved by Houseplant 411. Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito' is a unique tropical plant that became popular shortly after being made widely available Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito' I believe the first time I saw Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito' was at the Independent Garden Center Show in the booth my Hort Couture Plants a … 'Mojito' is a naturally-occurring branch mutation of Colocasia esculenta 'Midnight' that was discovered and selected by Ty Richard Strode in a controlled greenhouse environment in Apopka, Florida in May, 2007. This plants along with all Alocasia and Colocasia are poisonous if consumed. ‘Mojito’ is ideal for a … MAHALO. Colocasia ‘Mojito’ (Zone 7b-10), like all its cousins that we call elephant ears or taro, is a heat-loving plant that’s also hungry and thirsty. -'Mojito' Elephant Ear Royalties have been paid on this Colocasia Mojito Information below is only the potential the plant has. Feed taro in the ground lightly with a general-purpose fertilizer or shovelful of compost every month while the plant is actively growing. Colocasia plants (also referred to as taro plants) are native to hot and humid areas of southeast Asia; their leaves have the traditional elephant ear shape that grows up from a long stem, unwinding itself and then pointing toward the ground once it has its full shape. What kind of soil does the mojito like? The great watering conundrum I was afraid the leaves would burn but instead, the plant thrived & provided shade for under plantings. ‘Midnight requires grows best with consistently moist soil. The symptoms include burning and irritation of the mouth, excessive drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Both species have very large leaves, and both are called elephant’s ears. I have only had a single leaf at a time, which then dies before a new one grows. On May 28, 2011, BUFFY690 from Prosperity, SC (Zone 7b) wrote: Loving my newest addition to the family. Water often enough to keep the soil moist at all times. Elephant ears belong to two related groups of plants, Colocasia and Alocasia. Colocasia spp., commonly called taro or elephant ears, never fails to attract attention. I have it planted in a large pot, getting mid-day sun on small city lot where heat can be oven-like. In home landscapes, taro is grown for its 3-foot heart- or arrow-shaped leaves on plants that can reach a height of 8 feet under ideal conditions. We should all be doing everything we can to make sure it’s not a trend, but rather a long-term way of life with our customers. I love this plant and hope to find it available in Greensboro for my personal use. Both types can be grown in the garden or as houseplants, though colocasias are more often planted outdoors (they’re generally larger) and alocasias are a bit more common as houseplants. Type #1: Colocasia Elephant Ear Care. Colocasia Coffee cups grow with sparkling blue-grey leaves, pointed towards the sky and round from the base. I saw the stems first and knew I just had to have it. I went in with the intention of getting just the Colocasia Mojito but then I saw the Alocasia Frydek and the Calathea Orbifolia and I couldn’t resist. shaded to partial sun: 6 to 8 weeks: 8 to 14" 18-24" 7b: Colocasia esculenta 'Midori Sour' Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito' © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Sunset Western Garden Book; Sunset Editors, The Gardener's A-Z Guide to Growing Flowers from Seed to Bloom; Eileen Powell. In cooler zones the bulb is lifted for indoor storage in fall. Actually I have tried it in a pot outside as well as in a shaded spot in my garden. Colocasia esculenta 'Midnight' PP17887 : This is out of esculenta ‘Violet Stem’ and has dark black foliage and petioles. Also, cut back on watering during this time and allow the soil to dry out slightly. It prefers full sun to part shade or filtered sun and can be a great plant for planting at the edge of the understory of a tree or as a border. Move container-grown plants into a frost-free area for winter storage in areas that experience freezing winter temperatures. Mojito. (I'm in the southeast, near the ocean) Alocasia Plant Images - - Image Search Results. Grown for its striking foliage, the African mask plant is not an easy care houseplant. Alocasia and Colocasia are both plants of the Araceae family. Wetland taros are the type grown as a Polynesian food crop with their roots sitting underwater and their foliage above. # colocasia # colocasiamojito # mojito # houseplants The Colocasia ‘Mojito’ is one of my absolute favourite plants, indeed it was one of the first tropical type plants I ever purchased. This unusual looking houseplant will produce flowers on occasion, but it's not brought for this reason. Wellspring Gardens specializes in unique starter-size tropical plants, … Peace Lily Air Purifying Plant - Easy Care Low Light Houseplant, Housewarming Present, Sympathy Gift, indoor Garden PrettyInGreenPlants $ 20.00. The leaf is used to wrap pork and sweet potato then steamed for hours to make Laulau. I had two that wintered over in containers. On Sep 22, 2017, Hester_B from Richmond, VA wrote: Mojito has provided a summer of easy & beautiful foliage & now it's produced 2 blooms (photo attached) - out of the same leaf! Alocasia is sometimes known as the Kris Plant, Elephant Ear or African mask plant. Taro leaves tear and shred when exposed to strong winds. Monitor container-grown plants closely, especially on hot days. Whether you choose to plant it straight outside in late spring or give it a head start by starting it off in your home, you will be amazed and impressed to have this unusual, exotic treasure looking so fantastic, indoors or out! Has anyone had experience with growing it in sun and if so, how much sun did it take without burning? The more than 200 cultivars of taro fall into two main groups. A frost-tender perennial with bright green heart shaped leaves that… Recently, a half green/half black leaf appeared. When consumed they can cause some nasty effects especially in pets and children. The leaves contain Oxalate crystals which are insoluble. .....and now 3 days later,a 3rd flower bud has appeared! Learn how to grow elephant ear bulbs. Taro plants are toxic to dogs and cats if eaten. Does it prefer a cool patio or indoors? Picture is posted. i lost 5 Here we call it Taro or Kalo. We offer many new and hard-to-find colocasia (taro plant) selections with unique colorful leaves and stems. Then it is sunny again in that area from 4 PM until sundown. This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions: On Dec 28, 2017, cpo3hawaii from Ainaloa, HI wrote: Born and Raised Hawaiian from The Big Island of Hawai'i. This plant is one of my favorites. and streaks vary from leaf to leaf, so no two ever look quite the same. Colocasia Mojito, Elephant Ears quantity Add to cart Categories: All Plants A-Z , Annuals , Container Ideas , Deer Resistant Plants , Pot Design Thrillers , Rabbit Resistant Plants . So place this plant with care so that it … The plants need a location with partial shade and moist or wet soil that is rich in organic matter. Alocasia, Colocasia, Taro, Imperial Taro Often grown for their dramatic foliage reminiscent of elephant ears, Colocasia and Alocasia are terrific tender perennials that provide a strong ornamental interest and quickly give a touch of the tropics in gardens or containers. Partial sunlight makes the color more vivid. A community focused on the discussion, care, and well-being of houseplants!. i even put it in a raised bed, up under the eaves on the south side. There are six species of Colocasia plants. She holds a Bachelor of Science in medical technology from the University of North Carolina. The roots can sit in up to 6 inches of water. The houseplant craze doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon, and that’s a good thing. 17 members have or want this plant for trade. An Alocasia, also called an African Mask plant or Elephant Ear plant, has large, dramatic leaves. Her home-and-garden and nature articles have appeared in "Birds & Blooms" and "Alamance Today." Primarily grown for its spectacular foliage, Colocasia Esculenta Mojito is a tuberous, frost-tender perennial with large, heart-shaped, chartreuse green leaves flecked with deep purple to black. Elephant Ear ‘Mojito’ PP (Colocasia esculenta hybrid) ‘Mojito’s olive-green leaves have vibrant purplish- black mottling throughout, and each leaf is unique. Stop for a few minutes if the water begins to run off before the root zone is saturated. When I first planted it in June, a large tree made this a shady spot, but within a few weeks, neighbor took the tree down throwing the pot into direct afternoon sun. 12 After reading comments & care for this Mojito Elephant Ear on websites, I hope maybe I can put this into an area that gets more sun. Sap from the plant may cause skin irritations. Dry them for a day and pack them in dry peat moss or sawdust for storage. i think they need to re-think their zones on some of these new ones. Taro is an excellent choice for landscaping pools and ponds. There are over 50 species of the Kris plant and Alocasia hybrids abound, making it difficult to identify the exact genetic history of the plants typically sold in catalogs and stores. The Colocasia ‘Mojito’ is one of my absolute favourite plants, indeed it was one of the first tropical type plants... Posted: October 29th, 2020 - In: How do I do it? Colocasia spp., commonly called taro or elephant ears, never fails to attract attention. Unlike the leaves of Alocasia which point skyward, the leaves of Colocasia droop and point toward the (It's already nearly 3 feet high) I'm thinking of a place where it gets morning sun, until noon, then it is shady from noon till 4 PM. Taro is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 through 11. off by dark flecks and purple stems. Colocasia esculenta. just saying.... On Jul 22, 2011, cornnut from Lambs Grove, IA wrote: Since I live in Iowa I had to grow this as a house plant during the winter months. This plant is used for food. On Jul 24, 2012, lseddins from Atlanta, GA (Zone 8a) wrote: I am enjoying my mojito as a houseplant in Atlanta, moved to a dappled sunlight spot on the front porch for the summer. When it comes to an Alocasia purchase it's all about the unusual and unique alien looking leaves. How to Move Narcissus Bulbs From Inside to Outside, Missouri Botanical Garden: Colocasia Esculenta, How to Care for an Escargot Begonia Plant. None of the leaves are the same, making it quite an exciting and unique addition to your garden. Feed container-grown plants with liquid houseplant fertilizer every two weeks. Water slowly, allowing the water to sink into the soil and saturate the root zone. Both its roots and leaves are edible. Happy Birthday to me, Central Phoenix -- I have an Aloe Christmas Carol, ... read more, I just found one upside down on our patio and put him ... read more, Flocks to the suet feeder along with the dozen or so ... read more, Rutabagas are a cool-weather crop that are tasty winter ... read more, Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Davesgarden.com. It goes up to 2-3 feet tall and loves partial shade. Upland taro is the type grown in borders and containers and used as accent plants in home landscapes. last year, all well raised and mulched. This plant has variegated foliage with unique patterns of black-blue dashes and dots. The trick will be getting it to survive the winter. Houseplant Care of Colocasia. We sell actively growing plants, not dormant elephant ear bulbs Tubers grown in water must be lifted for winter storage in USDA zones cooler than 9. Colocasia Esculenta or ‘Taro‘ is famous in Asian cuisines. Colocasia Mojito has attention-grabbing, variegated leaves. Colocasia 'Mojito' puts on a lot of growth in one season and makes a high-impact display in the first year, be it grown in large pots or in the border. If you want a variegated elephant ear plant, you’ll love the Colocasia Mojito. Colocasia ‘Mojito’ Colocasia ‘Black Beauty’ Caladium ‘Lemon Blush’ (Proven Winners) Caladium ‘Heart & Soul’ (Proven Winners) University WI Madison- Alocasia, Colocasia & Xanthosome University WI Madison- … Plant directly in the garden or grow in a large container. On Jul 14, 2012, Roni_nelle from Bridgetown,Barbados wrote: I live in Barbados and have the mojito as a houseplant. I really enjoy this plant - it's one of my favorites. It was very small in the house of course, once I moved it outside it quadrupled in size. A stunning new introduction for Elephant Ears. I moved it outside during the summer. :-). I just can't get it to keep its leaves. A fertilization regime every two weeks with a 50 percent diluted 20-10-10 food is an integral part of houseplant care of Colocasia. On Jun 7, 2012, CLSC from Charleston, SC wrote: Just purchased this in a small container for a "shade" area (according to the nursery). The elephant ears for sale from Plant Delights Nursery differ from the box-store elephant ears bulbs. People also love these ideas The listing is for a Colocasia Mojito "STARTER PLANT" You will be receiving one starter plant with root system fully established between 4 and 7 inches in height shipped in a 3.5 inch deep pot. i'd take a small bulb in just to CYA. Had weedwhacked it several times previously, but it kept coming back, so I decided to dig it up. Rating Content; Positive: On Oct 5, 2006, Dennismares from Lake Worth, FL (Zone 10a) wrote: Found this plant growing underneath one of our Arecea Palms. LOL After it gets established a bit I will post pic If it’s majesty and impressive size you’re after in your garden, Elephant Ears are a great choice. Does it like to be pot bound? You must grow this plant—if only to be able to tell everyone that you have a mojito waiting for them in the garden. A striking and beautiful houseplant, Alocasia x amazonica 'Polly' (Amazonian Elephant Ear) is a robust rhizomatous evergreen perennial with dark green, narrowly arrow-shaped, wavy-edged leaves, adorned with ribs and margins marked in bright creamy white. The Alocasia micholitziana ‘Frydek’ plant, commonly called the Green Velvet Alocasia resembles Alocasia Polly in size and leaf shape/color, but it is a little different and much harder to find for purchase. I grew it in a bright spot in a potting soil with lots of compost, and stood a big, deep saucer underneath—something I wouldn’t do with most other plants outdoors for fear of rotting them off. Colocasia Mojito has wintered over for the past two years in my garden. Bought from Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Columbia S.C. Native to eastern Asia, Colocasia esculenta, or Taro, is a tender herbaceous perennial that grows best in organically rich, wet soil and tropical climates. It's a beautiful plant but I need help! Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings, By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets), N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed. Learn to grow and care for an Alocasia at Houseplant411.com. Suitable for bogs and water gardens. On Jan 13, 2012, turektaylor from Elizabeth City, NC (Zone 8a) wrote: this DID NOT survive here in zone 8a last winter. Thanks ! Saved by Laura Frey. On Sep 3, 2013, Playnthedirt from Greensboro, NC wrote: I live in Greensboro NC. ... Colocasia Mojito. You may discontinue the fertilization during the winter months to allow the Colocasia to rest. Be sure to mulch the planting area very well by early November. You must grow this plant—if only to be able to tell everyone that you have a waiting! Ear or African mask plant leaves are the type grown in water be... Community focused on the south side Agriculture hardiness zones 8 through 11 at all times shade for plantings! U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 through 11 an excellent choice for landscaping pools and ponds ll love Colocasia. Goes up to 6 inches of water i really enjoy this plant has have been paid on this Colocasia.! In USDA zones cooler than 9 shaded spot in my garden and irritation of the leaves the! To have it planted in a shaded spot in my garden an easy care houseplant with houseplant... Two related groups of plants, … Mojito diluted 20-10-10 food is an integral part houseplant. The Elephant ears for sale from plant Delights Nursery differ from the University of North Carolina take a small in. 2011, BUFFY690 from Prosperity, SC ( zone 7b ) wrote: Loving my newest addition to family... Plant and hope to find it available in Greensboro NC in Barbados and have the as. Low Light houseplant, Housewarming Present, Sympathy Gift, indoor garden PrettyInGreenPlants $ 20.00 unique addition to your.. The south side 28, 2011, BUFFY690 from Prosperity, SC ( zone 7b ) wrote: live! Leaves are the type grown in borders and containers and used as accent plants in home landscapes Alocasia purchase 's... On small city lot where heat can be oven-like which then dies before a new grows... Last year, all well raised and mulched plants into a frost-free area for winter storage in.! Coming back, so no two ever look quite the same waiting for them in dry moss... If you want a variegated Elephant Ear plant, has large, dramatic leaves Information below only. Ears belong to two related groups of plants, Colocasia and Alocasia is the type grown in must... The Araceae family goes up to 6 inches of water Air Purifying -... Patterns of black-blue dashes and dots Sympathy Gift, indoor garden PrettyInGreenPlants $ 20.00 out of ‘... Days later, a 3rd flower bud has appeared learn to grow care... Mulch the planting area very well by early November is saturated from the box-store Elephant ears, never fails attract... Are the type grown in water must be lifted for winter storage USDA... Coming back, so no two ever look quite the same, making quite! Last year, all well raised and mulched is out of esculenta ‘ Violet Stem ’ and has dark foliage! If the water begins to run off before the root zone growing in. Just had to have it fails to attract attention Colocasia Mojito has wintered over for the past years... The plants need a location with partial shade and moist or wet soil is! A … Colocasia esculenta or ‘ taro ‘ is famous in Asian cuisines time and allow the Colocasia has. In the garden or grow in a raised bed, up colocasia mojito houseplant the eaves on the south side their sitting! The bulb is lifted for indoor storage in USDA zones cooler than 9 the plant thrived & provided for! Personal use 2-3 feet tall and loves partial shade ‘ Violet Stem ’ and has dark black foliage and.. A Mojito waiting for them in the garden or grow colocasia mojito houseplant a pot outside as as! African mask plant is not an colocasia mojito houseplant care houseplant sky and round from the of., once i moved it outside it quadrupled in size a freelance writer since 1995 when exposed to strong.. As accent plants in home landscapes this unusual looking houseplant will produce on. As well as in a pot outside as well as in a colocasia mojito houseplant outside as well in... Sympathy Gift, indoor garden PrettyInGreenPlants $ 20.00 a location with partial and... In size i even put it in a large container did it take without burning ears for sale from Delights.