How to Care for Colocasia

Position Colocasia plants where they will receive diffused or dappled light during the afternoon, with one to two hours of direct sunlight in the morning and evening. Avoid exposing Colocasia plants to hot, direct sun or deep shade, since both will negatively impact the vigor and appearance of the plants.

Water Colocasia plants faithfully every two to three days from May until September. Run water from a garden hose to the base of the plant for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the soil feels very wet at a depth of 4 inches. Wait until the surface feels slightly dry before you administer the next watering.

Feed Colocasia plants once a month during the active growing season, from mid April until early September. Apply 13-3-13 formula fertilizer to the soil around the base of the plant as directed on the fertilizer label. Work the fertilizer into the top 2 inches of soil with a garden trowel. Water the plant thoroughly after feeding it.

Prune and discard any leaves that dry out or appear ragged during the growing season. Remove the leaf by cutting through the base of the stalk where it emerges from the soil. Always prune with clean, sharp shears to avoid transmitting fungal infections.

Dig up Colocasia tubers at the end of the growing season if the plants are grown outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8a or below. Wait until two weeks before the first expected frost. Cut back the foliage to ground level. Dig up the tubers with a trowel. Rinse them. Store the tubers in a large paper bag filled with wood shavings until April of the following year.