Colocasia Hawaiian Punch - Elephant Ears

Colocasia 'Hawaiian Punch' is a spectacular perennial that thrives in moist soil. Its immense bluish-green leaves with cherry-red petioles have an exotic feel, perfect for creating a relaxing atmosphere on your patio or by a pond. It can be grown in the ground in the mildest of regions, in acidic to neutral, rich and moist but well-drained soil. It prefers non-scorching sun or partial shade. However, some protection will still be necessary. This plant is sensitive to temperatures below -5 to -7°C (23 to 19.4°F), which can cause frost damage.

Colocasia esculenta, also known as taro, is a cousin of arums. It belongs to the Araceae family. It produces very large cordate or sagittate leaves (meaning arrow-shaped or lance-shaped), which can exceed 60cm (24in) in length, at the end of thick and erect petioles. These immense leaves give the plant its other name of elephant ears. The plant multiplies and spreads with its large fleshy rhizomes which are rich in starch. A well-established clump can reach over 1.5m (5ft) in height and width. Originally from tropical Asia or India, taro is now extensively cultivated in all tropical and subtropical regions. It has been used for hundreds of years for its highly nutritious tubers, which local populations consume cooked, with a taste similar to sweet potatoes ("esculenta" also means "good to eat" in Latin). The young leaves are also edible, but be careful, as they are rich in calcium oxalate and therefore not recommended for individuals prone to kidney stones. In the most favourable regions, flowering sometimes occurs on mature plants in the form of summer yellow spathes.

The 'Hawaiian Punch' variety features superb bluish-green leaves, with deep cherry-red petioles and veins on the underside of the leaves. It has a moderate growth habit and will reach approximately 1m (3ft) in height and 80cm (32in) in width. It belongs to the Royal Hawaiian series, created by Hawaiian hybridiser John Cho: these are robust and branched plants, resistant to leaf spot disease.

As a plant native to tropical regions, 'Hawaiian Punch' is sensitive to frost. According to literature, it can withstand very brief frosts of around -5°C (23°F) or even lower, but you would need to live in a very mild climate region to plant it in the ground. If it can be planted outside, it needs slightly acidic, rich and light soil that is moist but well-drained. However, it is easy to grow it in a large pot that you can place on your patio or near a pond. Keep the substrate constantly moist to prevent the leaves from drying out. The pot will need to be stored in a cold greenhouse during winter. It will need good drainage to prevent the rhizomes from rotting. During this overwintering period, the substrate should only be kept slightly moist. You can also keep it as an indoor plant in a bright, lightly heated conservatory. However, you will need to watch out for red spider mites, which can proliferate if the air is too dry. Taros are hungry plants, so give them nitrogen fertiliser, and repot them from time to time to renew the substrate.

For exotic scenes, combine it with other exuberant plants, such as tetrapanax, gunnera, hardy palms like Chamaerops humilis and Trachycarpus wagnerianus, or even the hardy banana tree Musa basjoo. Most of these plants can be planted in the ground in not-too-cold climates.