Moderate Tropical Toxic to pets

Giant Taro

Alocasia macrorrhizos

A large, vigorous Alocasia producing enormous, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves, giving it an impressive tropical presence.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 5 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

60–80 %
Temperature

15–30 °C

How to care for your Giant Taro

Everything you need to keep your Giant Taro healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Alocasia macrorrhizos, known as Giant Taro or Upright Elephant Ear, is a magnificent tropical plant capable of reaching grand proportions. It boasts massive, glossy, arrow- or heart-shaped leaves that can grow several feet long, held upright on sturdy petioles. While primarily an outdoor plant in tropical and subtropical regions, it can be grown indoors as a statement plant if given ample space, light, and humidity. Its impressive size and dramatic foliage make it a focal point in any garden or large indoor setting.

Watering your Giant Taro

Every 5 days

Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.

How to know it needs water

Top inch of soil feels slightly dry
Leaves may start to droop

How much light a Giant Taro needs

Bright indirect light

Bright, indirect light to partial shade.

Direct sun tolerated: 0 to 2 h a day
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, South-east, South, South-west, West, North-west

Humidity and misting

60–80 %

High (60-80%) Benefits from high humidity; misting helps, but outdoor rain or a humidifier is better.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 14 days

Heavy feeder during the growing season; apply weekly at half strength.

Recommended feed: Balanced liquid fertilizer · 2-1-2

Repotting your Giant Taro

Every 12 months

Repot into a larger container, potentially dividing offshoots.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre, pine bark

The tell-tale signs

Rootbound
Stunted growth or nutrient deficiency signs

Pruning your Giant Taro

Remove old, yellowing, or damaged leaves. Cut the stem at the base of the plant using a clean, sharp knife.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 8 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 4 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Toxicity

Contains calcium oxalate crystals. All parts are toxic if ingested without proper preparation, causing severe oral irritation, swelling, and digestive issues.

Good to know

Can grow to enormous sizes in tropical climates, with leaves several feet long.
Its corms are edible after extensive processing to remove toxic oxalates.

Frequently asked questions about the Giant Taro

How do you care for a Giant Taro?

Water it every 5 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 60–80 %. Ideal temperature: 15–30 °C. Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.

How often should you water a Giant Taro?

Every 5 days Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. How to know it needs water : Top inch of soil feels slightly dry ; Leaves may start to droop.

How much light does a Giant Taro need?

Bright indirect light Bright, indirect light to partial shade. 0 to 2 h a day

Is the Giant Taro toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Contains calcium oxalate crystals. All parts are toxic if ingested without proper preparation, causing severe oral irritation, swelling, and digestive issues. Keep it out of reach of your pets and call a vet if any is swallowed.

Why are my Giant Taro leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Giant Taro?

Repot every 12 months, ideally in spring. Repot into a larger container, potentially dividing offshoots.