Giant Taro Plant Care

Giant Taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos) belongs to the Araceae family within the Alocasia genus. Giant Taro is native to rainforests of Maritime Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and the Murray Islands group in the Torres Strait. Giant Taro is also known as Elephant Ear, Wild Taro, Upright Elephant Ear.

Giant Taro displays a large, upright foliage growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Giant Taro produces rarely flowers indoors, inconspicuous blooms.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Giant Taro every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Giant Taro thrives in bright indirect to filtered light. Avoid placing Giant Taro in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Alocasia macrorrhizos tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Giant Taro prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, rich organic mix with perlite and peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Giant Taro to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Giant Taro every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect to filtered light and well-draining, rich organic mix with perlite and peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Giant Taro is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Giant Taro can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 5 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Giant Taro while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Giant Taro is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Giant Taro can be propagated through division, rhizome cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chinese taro plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Giant Taro is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Giant Taro grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Giant Taro is native to rainforests of Maritime Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and the Murray Islands group in the Torres Strait. In cooler regions, grow Giant Taro as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.