Giant Taro

Giant Taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos) is the quickest way to put real scale into a shaded garden. Each plant builds a clump around 2.5m tall and 2m across, holding broad glossy leaves upright on thick fleshy stems. It is the plant people picture when they say they want a tropical garden, and unlike most large leaved feature plants it gets there in two seasons rather than a decade.

Why you'll love it

• Scale, quickly. Fast growing to about 2.5m, so a blank corner reads as established garden within two summers.
• Leaves that carry a whole planting. Broad arrow shaped foliage held upright rather than flopping, giving vertical structure that smaller tropicals cannot.
• It wants the wet spot. Wet feet tolerant, so the low corner that stays damp after rain is exactly where this thrives.
• Nothing to prune or shape. Remove the old leaves as they yellow and that is the job.
• Heat and humidity suit it. Built for warm sticky summers, when many other feature plants stall.

Where it works best

Feature planting in shade. One clump against a wall or a dark green backdrop is usually enough. The leaves need light to be seen, so filtered light or morning sun shows them off better than deep shade.

Mass planting. Plant 1.5m apart for a continuous tropical understorey. At that spacing the leaves interleave without the clumps fighting for root room.

Poolside, ponds and large pots. Damp ground and humidity are no problem, so pool surrounds and pond edges suit it. A large container on a shaded courtyard works too, provided you accept the watering.

Growing Giant Taro in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade to filtered light is ideal and morning sun is fine, but harsh afternoon sun scorches the leaf edges. This is a tropical, subtropical and warm temperate plant, and it is frost tender. In Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and cold inland districts frost will knock the foliage down over winter. Clumps usually reshoot in spring, though a hard freeze can kill them, so a pot that moves under cover is safer there.

Soil, water and feed. Rich, organic, moisture holding soil. Dig compost through the bed before planting and mulch 75mm deep, then water generously and often through summer, because leaf size is tied directly to how consistently wet you keep it. Feed for foliage: a nitrogen rich complete fertiliser in early spring and again in midsummer.

Safety. All parts of the raw plant contain calcium oxalate and are toxic to people and pets if chewed, causing painful mouth and throat irritation. The sap can irritate skin, so wear gloves when cutting old leaves off.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 140mm and 200mm packs, 300mm and 400mm pots, and a 110L size that arrives as a full clump. The smaller pots carry two or three leaves and look modest in the box, then catch up fast in warm ground.

Leaves are large and soft, so a folded leaf or some edge damage in transit is normal. New leaves push through within a few weeks in warm weather. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full tropical plant range
• Find a pot large enough for a feature clump
• Preparing and enriching a new garden bed

Common questions

Will it survive winter in Melbourne or Adelaide?

In a sheltered spot, often yes, but frost cuts the foliage down and the clump regrows from the base in spring. For year round looks, keep it in a pot and shift it under eaves.

Is it safe around children and pets?

No. The raw plant contains calcium oxalate and is toxic if chewed by people, cats or dogs. Plant it where curious mouths cannot reach it.

Why are my leaves smaller than they should be?

Almost always too little water, too little food or too much direct sun. Giant Taro sizes its leaves to the conditions, so fix those and the next flush will be bigger.