Colocasia Blue Hawaii - Elephant Ears

Colocasia 'Blue Hawaii' is a modest-sized variety of taro, selected by Hawaiian Joh Iho. This perennial plant has a very exotic charm and forms a clump of very large, intensely green leaves veined with blue-violet to purple, carried by Bordeaux-red to almost black petioles. This variety is not very hardy, but it is resistant to diseases. It can be grown in the garden in mild regions with winter protection, as well as indoors or in a conservatory. It prefers moist to cool soils in summer and a semi-shaded exposure to preserve the beauty of its large leaves.

Colocasia 'Blue Hawaii' belongs to the Araceae family, just like Ethiopian arum and philodendron. Probably originating from India, its ancestor, C. esculenta (also known as 'true taro'), spread a long time ago in the tropical regions of South America and Oceania, and later in tropical Africa. It is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows from a tuberous rhizome forming a scaly corm covered with a thick skin. Its growth is rapid. The 'Blue Hawaii' cultivar is rather compact: the adult plant will not exceed 1.2m (4ft) in height and 90cm (35in) to 1m (3ft) in diameter. It has magnificent peltate foliage that is elongated and heart-shaped. The leaf blade can reach 50cm (20in) in length and 35cm (14in) in width, and is carried by a long, dark, sheathing petiole at the base. The surface of the leaves allows water to slide off, and it has good water-repellent properties. During its growth, the plant branches out from the base, which allows it to remain compact. When an old leaf is removed, two new ones take its place. Flowering, which is quite rare in our climate, occurs in summer in the form of delicately scented pale-yellow spathes that resemble those of arums. As soon as it freezes, the foliage is destroyed. However, the well-protected stump can sprout again in spring if the temperature does not drop below -5°C (23°F) for a short period.

Colocasia 'Blue Hawaii' is a spectacular but easy-to-grow plant, be it on a patio, in the home, or in the garden (if conditions allow). This magnificent tropical plant stands out as a focal point in a contemporary or exotic decor, whether planted on a patio in a large container or on the banks of a body of water in a very mild climate. This voracious plant goes well with arums, banana trees (Musa basjoo), or tree ferns whose magnificence recalls ancient forests. For exotic scenes, combine it with other exuberant plants, such as tetrapanax, gunnera, and hardy palm trees like Chamaerops humilis and Trachycarpus wagnerianus. Most of these plants can be planted in the ground in not too cold climates, and you can then arrange the colocasia nearby.

Taro is consumed in Africa, China, Polynesia, and several other parts of the world. Its tubers are rich in starch, and its young leaves are consumed as spinach.