white lava elephant ear plant Colocasia esculenta 'White Lava' 2.5l / 17cm / Medium Plant – PlantHouse

white lava elephant ear plant Colocasia esculenta 'White Lava' 2.5l / 17cm / Medium Plant – PlantHouseColocasia esculenta can be found in tropical gardens around NZ and the world. The heart shaped leaves of Colocasia eculenta can grow huge provided the right conditions of bright indirect light avoiding afternoon sun, plenty of fertiliser and moderate consistent moisture without drying out over the warm months these are great as semi aquatic plants too for ponts for hydro. Indoor grow on a windowsill or bright room and rotate to achieve an even shape.

Colocasia esculenta can be found in tropical gardens around NZ and the world. The heart-shaped leaves of Colocasia eculenta can grow huge provided the right conditions of bright indirect light avoiding afternoon sun, plenty of fertiliser and moderate consistent moisture without drying out over the warm months - these are great as semi-aquatic plants too for ponts for hydro. Indoor grow on a windowsill or bright room and rotate to achieve an even shape.

In Summer, expect 3 good leaves per growth point and rapid growth in the right conditions, growth will slow down in winter where they can become semi dormant, reducing to 1 leaf or right back to the corm until spring.

Hardening to Outdoors:
These are OUTDOOR-grown specimens so are sturdier, shorter and tougher than indoor grown plants but these can be grown indoors and you should expect taller softer growth in the absence of direct sun and wind.

Here are some care instructions for Colocasia esculenta:

Light:

Colocasia prefers bright, indirect light or gentle golden sun. Avoid placing it in harsh direct sunlight, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn however they can acclimatise to this but they will look better with protection from the afternoon summer sun. If you notice your plant's leaves drooping or turning pale, it may not be getting enough light. Colocasia may slow down with their growth or go dormant over winter months due to not enough light hours or cooler temperatures. They will reemerge from their corm in late spring.

Water:

Water your Colocasia when the top 2.5 cm of soil feels dry. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, as this can cause the leaves to droop. Colocasia will be relatively thirsty in summer and much less so in winter. The more leaves your plant has, the more moisture it will require. If your plant goes winter-dormant and loses leaves, keep the soil moisture low until the temperature increases again in spring. 

Temperature:

Colocasia prefers a warm, consistent temperature. Keep it in a location that stays between 16-32°C and also appreciates high humidity. 

Soil & Repotting:

Planted in our custom soil recipe free draining mix. If you change, use a well-draining potting mix that is high in organic matter. You can also add perlite or pumice to improve drainage. Repot your Colocasia esculenta every year or two in the spring, using a pot that is only slightly larger than the current one.

Fertiliser:

Fertilise your Colocasia every month during the growing season (spring to autumn) with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. During the winter months, reduce fertilization to every other month or not at all.

Pruning:

Prune your Colocasia by removing any dead or damaged leaves as needed. Lower leaves will always die back and be replaced by more efficient, fresh new growth. You can also trim back any long vines to encourage new growth. You should expect around 3 leaves per corm. These will grow into a clump with multiple growth points.