Colocasia x esculenta Red Eyed Gecko - Taro

The Colocasia ‘Red Eyed Gecko’, sometimes called Taro or elephant ear, is a perennial tropical plant with intensely bright foliage, ideal for creating an exotic atmosphere in the garden or on a balcony. Its name refers to the bright red eye of the gecko, a nod to the red macula adorning the center of its leaves, which are a greenish-yellow hue. This variety will be grown as an indoor plant or in a mild and temperate climate garden with winter protection, in fertile, moist to fresh soil, in full sun or partial shade.

The Colocasia ‘Red Eyed Gecko’ belongs to the Araceae family. Originating from Southeast Asia and tropical regions, the typical species Colocasia esculenta naturally grows in marshy areas or near watercourses, explaining its need for constant humidity. The ‘Red Eyed Gecko’ cultivar is a creation of Hawaiian hybridizer Brian Williams, known for his tropical plant selections.

This plant has an upright habit, with sturdy stems tinged with pinkish-purple. Its imposing leaves, measuring approximately 50 to 60 cm in length, are elongated heart-shaped, reminiscent of elephant ears. Their colour, an almost fluorescent lemon green, is crossed by veins converging at a bright red point that undoubtedly inspired its name 'Red Eyed Gecko'.

The Colocasia ‘Red Eyed Gecko’ reaches a height of 1.2 m with a width of 80 cm, growing rapidly under optimal conditions. Its stump tolerates down to -7°C (under thick mulch), making it relatively hardy for a tropical plant.

In borders, on the terrace, in the conservatory, or indoors, the Colocasia ‘Red Eyed Gecko’ is a decorative and easy-to-grow plant. It stands out as a focal point in a contemporary, exotic, or 'jungle' style setting. Invite it onto the terrace, planted in a large container, or along the edges of a pond. This lush plant pairs well with other varieties of Colocasia, with the arum or White Calla Lily, cannas, the Ostrich Fern, giant hostas...

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