Leucocasia gigantea
Elephant's-ear · Colossal elephant ear · Colossal taro
Description
Source: wikipedia (CC BY-SA)Leucocasia gigantea, also called the giant elephant ear or Indian taro, is a species of flowering plant. It is a 1.5–3 m tall aroid plant with a large, fibrous corm, producing at its apex a whorl of thick, green leaves. It is the sole species in genus Leucocasia.
💡 The Laosy Giant and similar species are commonly used in culinary practices across eastern and southeastern Asia. In Japan and Vietnam, the stalks are essential ingredients in certain soups. Additionally, some Japanese traditions have regarded the dried stalk as a distinctive aphrodisiac.
🌳 The large foliage of the Laosy Giant adds visual interest to any warm-weather garden, where this striking plant thrives. It can be grown as an accent or a focal point in garden beds or borders, alongside other ornamental plants. Potted Laosy Giants can also enhance gardens and be conveniently brought indoors during the winter months.
Care Guide
💧 Water
The Laos Giant, which originates from tropical undergrowth, thrives in high humidity and needs consistently moist soil. It requires weekly watering to maintain these conditions. Typically, this plant is grown indoors to better control its humidity. During the active growing season, the Laos Giant's water uptake increases, so careful irrigation is necessary to support its vigorous growth.
☀️ Light Full sun
Laosy Giant prefers abundant sunlight and can tolerate moderate sun levels. Being conditioned by its native habitat’s bright sun exposure encourages healthy growth. Excessive or insufficient light can stunt development or cause the plant to become spindly.
🌡️ Temperature 15–35°C
Laosy Giant is adapted to grow in moderate temperatures, usually from 59 to 95 °F (15 to 35 °C). During very hot periods, cautious watering practices can help reduce heat stress.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 5-7
🌱 Fertilizer
The optimal time to fertilize a Laosy Giant is in early spring, as it comes out of dormancy and begins active growth. Fertilizing supplies essential nutrients for healthy development. Although the Laosy Giant has relatively low fertilization requirements, applying fertilizer once a year can improve its survival and encourage better, longer-lasting flowers.
🪴 Pot & Repot Every 12 months
✂️ Pruning
The Laosy Giant is known for its impressive size and striking foliage. To keep the plant healthy, prune it from early to late spring, concentrating on removing any dead or damaged parts. Also, take out any yellowing leaves to improve air circulation. This seasonal maintenance encourages flowering and boosts the plant's vitality, ensuring it remains a strong presence in your garden.
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Leucocasia
- Family
- Araceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 7-10
- Mature Height
- 1.52 m to 3.05 m
- Mature Spread
- 1.52 m to 3.66 m
- Leaf Color
- Dark Green, Forest Green
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- White
- Flower Size
- 1.02 cm to 2.03 cm
- Bloom Time
- Summer, Early fall
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Late summer, Fall
- Native Area
- Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Japan, Laos, Thailand, China