Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii'

RHS Plant Profile

taro 'Fontanesii'

Synonyms

Colocasia esculenta 'Black Stem'
Colocasia fontanesii 'Black Stem'
Colocasia violacea

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

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A frost-tender, tuberous evergreen perennial to 1.5m tall, producing striking, heart-shaped, glossy, waxy dark olive green leaves on dark purple-black, upright stems. A stunning foliage plant, perfect as a houseplant or can be grown outside in containers in a frost-free, sheltered location

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Botanical Details

Family: Araceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Humans/Pets: Harmful if eatenskin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Colocasia can be deciduous or evergreen, tuberous-rooted perennials with arrow-shaped or rounded leaves, often prominently veined; flowers are minute, on a spadix held within a small white spathe, but are seldom produced in cultivation
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant tubers in a large pot of humus-rich compost in warm conditions in early spring. In early summer the pot can be positioned in a sunny or lightly shaded spot outdoors, with shelter from strong winds. Water freely when the plant comes into growth and apply a high nitrogen feed weekly. Either move the pot into a greenhouse or conservatory over winter, or lift the tuber and store it dry. See houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or by stem cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

Generally disease-free