Alocasia macrorrhizos, the giant taro
Alocasia macrorrhizos
- Exposure
- Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9b (-3.9°C ≤ T° < -1.1°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Araceae
- Genus
- Alocasia
- Species
- Giant Taro Alocasia macrorrhizos
Other names:Alocasia macrorrhiza, Caladium macrorrhizon, Arum macrorrhizon, Colocasia macrorrhizos
It's all very well to think that size doesn't matter, but the Alocasia macrorrhizos is impossible to resist. With its 40-centimeter leaves, this member of the Araceae family knows how to get noticed.
How to recognize Alocasia macrorrhizos, the giant taro?
Alocasia macrorrhizos is a perennial with a bushy habit. It grows to over four meters in height in the wild. In our latitudes, in pots or in the ground, it often reaches two meters.
The botanical variety has green stems and petioles. But some cultivars have pink or black stems and petioles.
The leaves are green and shiny. Sagittate, they are leathery and ribbed. They can measure up to 40 cm long and 20 cm wide.
Flowering takes place in summer. It consists of a yellow or green spathe and a lighter spadix. Some claim that the inflorescence is odorless. Others claim it has a pungent, unpleasant fragrance.
When fertilized, the flower produces red ovoid berries, which contain the seeds.
The roots and tubers of Alocasia macrorrhizos are edible. They are particularly tasty on Reunion Island and in Polynesia. However, the plant remains toxic. Like the Alocasia melo, it contains alkaloids and calcium oxalate crystals. These substances cause digestive, neurological and sometimes respiratory disorders if ingested. They can also cause mucous membrane burns. Keep your specimen out of the reach of pets, especially cats.
Our care tips
Alocasia macrorrhizos are not plants to be placed in everyone's hands. They need light, rich soil, a little knowledge and a lot of attention.
Watering
Alocasia macrorrhizos appreciate freshness. Their soil must be kept slightly moist in spring and summer. But the plant doesn't like excess. Be careful not to soak the substrate!
Provide water at room temperature, without lime. You can, for example, collect rainwater or use filtered water.
Once you've watered your Alocasia macrorrhizos, empty any stagnant water from the saucer or planter. It may rot the roots.
Misting
Your Giant Taro is a tropical plant. It appreciates humidity. Spray its foliage with water at room temperature.
Avoid calcareous water, which leaves white marks on the leaves. Prefer rainwater or filtered water.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Alocasia macrorrhizos to give it more space.
Repotting is a delicate operation. Take care not to damage the roots in the process.
Choose a pierced pot, preferably terracotta. This material distributes humidity and protects the roots. The pot should be larger than the root ball to give the root system room to develop.
Place a bed of clay balls or gravel and cover with a drainage filter. Fill the pot with potting soil for green plants. Add sand or perlite for drainage and compost for nutrients. Plant your Alocasia macrorrhizos in the center and fill with substrate. The root ball should reach the surface. Tamp down and water for the first time to encourage rooting.
To improve humidity, place the plant on a saucer filled with moist clay balls.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Alocasia macrorrhizos, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Apply liquid green plant fertilizer diluted with water.
Cleaning
Dust on the leaves hinders photosynthesis. To ensure your Giant Taro gets the most light possible, clean its foliage with a clean, damp cloth.
Warning! All parts of the plant are toxic. Wear gloves and wash your hands after touching the foliage.
Warning! All parts of the plant are toxic. Wear gloves and wash your hands after touching the foliage.
Planting
When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.
Soak the rootball of your Giant Taro. Meanwhile, choose a spot in partial shade. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball.
Plant your Giant Taro in the center. Don't bury it too deeply- the rootball should be flush with the surface.
Fill in with a mixture of garden soil and compost, then water. You can mulch the base with organic matter to protect the plant from the cold.
Taking cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Take the shoots that form at the base of your Giant Taro. The larger they are, the greater the chances of success. Choose shoots with several leaves.
Cut off the new plant and its roots with a clean, sharp blade.
Prepare buckets with potting soil similar to that used for adult plants. Translucent pots are best. You'll be able to monitor root growth.
Place the bulbils on the surface, flat side down and pointed side up. Water and then place your bulbils in a greenhouse or transparent crate.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Half-shade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubs
- Categories
- RhizomeHerbaceous
- Tags
- Edible fruitLarge potThirstyToxic
- Origins
- Southeast AsiaAustralia
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9b (-3.9°C ≤ T° < -1.1°C)
- Leaf color
- Light green
- Flower colors
- Light greenYellowPale yellow
- Fruit color
- Red
Discover plants from the same family
Alocasia 'Stingray
Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Stingray'
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
