Colocasia esculenta ‘Milky Way’
Scientific name: Colocasia esculenta ‘Milky Way’
Common and other names: Elephant ear, Taro plant
Natural habitat: Wetlands, riverbanks, and other areas with abundant water in Southeast Asia and Southern India.
Foliage description: Colocasia esculenta ‘Milky Way’ is a captivating variety with large, heart-shaped leaves that are predominantly green, generously speckled with creamy white variegation. Some leaves even feature bold, solid patches of white, creating a mesmerizing contrast that resembles splashes of milk across the deep green foliage. Each leaf presents a slightly different pattern, adding a lively and dynamic element to the plant’s overall appearance.
Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining soil. A mixture of garden soil, organic compost, and perlite or sand.
Sun/shade: Partial shade to full sun.
Watering: Should be watered frequently to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Hardiness: USDA zones 8 – 13. Prefers warm temperatures between 70°F and 85°F (21°C to 29°C). Can tolerate brief periods of light frost but dies back in colder temperatures. In zones 8-9, it may die back in winter but regrow in spring. Check your USDA zone.
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Colocasia rhizomes ready for shipping
Colocasia esculenta ‘Milky Way’ is an enchanting elephant ear cultivar with eye-catching variegated foliage that can instantly brighten up any garden space. Its large green leaves are sprinkled with star-like white speckles, with some sporting creamy white patches for an extra dramatic flair. Ideal for tropical-themed landscapes, water gardens, or container plantings, ‘Milky Way’ thrives in moist conditions and loves partial to full shade. Its unique foliage brings a celestial touch to any setting, making it a must-have for plant enthusiasts looking for a statement piece.
We ship only healthy plants that were grown in pots. We carefully remove the soil and wrap the roots in damp sterile coconut peat. Then, we gently pack the root ball in a plastic bag. After that, we wrap the plant in special paper and then in a sturdy cardboard box shipped with the shipping option of your choice.
General Care for Colocasia esculenta
Light Requirements: Colocasia esculenta, commonly known as taro or elephant ears, thrives in partial shade to full sun. However, in very hot climates, it is best to provide some afternoon shade to protect the leaves from scorching. When grown indoors, place the plant in a bright location with filtered sunlight to avoid direct exposure that can cause leaf burn.
Watering: Colocasia esculenta prefers consistently moist soil. It is a water-loving plant and can tolerate wet conditions, making it an excellent choice for planting near ponds or water features. Water the plant regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. In drier climates or indoors, maintain high humidity and avoid allowing the soil to dry out completely.
Soil: This plant thrives in rich, well-draining soil that retains moisture. A mix of garden soil, organic compost, and a bit of sand or perlite will ensure good drainage while keeping the soil moist. Adding compost or organic matter will enhance soil fertility, which is beneficial for the plant’s growth.
Temperature and Humidity: Colocasia esculenta prefers warm temperatures between 70°F to 85°F (21°C to 29°C) and high humidity levels. It is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 8-11. In colder climates, the plant can be grown as an annual or brought indoors during the winter months. The plant is not frost-tolerant and should be protected from temperatures below 50°F (10°C).
Fertilization: Fertilize Colocasia esculenta every 2-4 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to promote lush foliage and robust growth. A fertilizer high in nitrogen can help enhance leaf color and size. Reduce fertilization in the fall and winter when the plant’s growth slows down.
Propagation: Colocasia esculenta can be easily propagated by dividing the rhizomes or tubers. In the spring, carefully dig up the plant and separate the rhizomes. Each rhizome piece should have at least one growing point (eye) to successfully sprout new growth. Replant the divisions in fresh, moist soil.
Pests and Diseases: This plant can be susceptible to pests such as spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. Regularly inspect the foliage and stems for signs of infestation and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil if needed. Colocasia esculenta can also be prone to fungal diseases like leaf blight and root rot, especially in overly wet conditions. Ensure good air circulation around the plant and avoid overwatering to prevent these issues.
Overwintering: In colder zones where temperatures drop below freezing, you can overwinter Colocasia esculenta by digging up the tubers before the first frost. Clean off the soil, allow them to dry for a few days, and then store them in a cool, dry place in peat moss or sawdust until the next planting season.
By following these general care guidelines, Colocasia esculenta will thrive and add a lush, tropical feel to your garden or indoor space.
References
“Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott | National Parks of Singapore”
“Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science”. Plants of the World Online.
Terms & Conditions
- ePackage: Thai Royal Mail + your national postal service. Available for orders under 4.4lbs (2kg). Normally it takes 10-14 days;
- EMS: Expedited shipping. It takes also 10-14 days;
- Dragon Courier: Covered with our Live Arrival Guarantee. Dragon Courier ships out of Thailand and do the custom clearing, which makes it passing quicker through the customs. Then they hand it over to DHL or UPS for domestic delivery. The package is always stored in the room temperatures even winter time. Shipments take 5-6 working days for Europe and Canada, and 5-8 days for the USA. This option includes all possible import taxes and custom fees for all destinations, including EU countries. When using other shipping options to the EU, customs may contact the receiver to pay import taxes or custom fees.
Conditions to be met to apply our Live Arrival Guarantee:
- Correct address and contact details of recipient - We should have been provided with correct address and contact details including cell number and email. The shipment must be sent to the correct delivery address, and not forwarded to another address. P.O.Box is not acceptable as the shipping address.
- First delivery attempt - The shipment must be received on the first delivery attempt, or be picked up the day of the first delivery attempt. If you miss the delivery and the package is delayed a day or more because of it, we will not accept responsibility for any losses. It is your responsibility to check the tracking number for delivery, even if courier does not leave a "pink slip" notifying you they tried to deliver the package.
- Clear photo provided within 24 hours – You need to send us a clear picture or video of the full plant in issue with its name, explaining what’s going on within 24 hours upon receipt.
- Package was shipped by Dragon Courier – In case you choose postal E-package, eCommerce Express or EMS, you accept the risk and no compensation will be issued.
We do not accept any returns.
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You will get the tracking info once the order is shipped.
USA: There is a limit of 12 plants you can import without having importer permit issued to you by USDA. If your order is more than 12 plants, please email us your importer permit after ordering. If you don't have one you can get it here. On the top of that page you will see a drop-down named “Ready to Apply?” and “Select an option”. Select there option “PPQ-587” and proceed with the application. It is easy and free online procedure. You don't need the importer permit for orders up to 12 plants.
Canada: You can choose Dragon Courier as the shipping option for any number of plants, and no importer permit is needed. They have their own agent in Canada who will take your order through customs using their own importer permit. For other shipping options, you must obtain an importer permit here and email it to us after ordering.
EU countries: Import regulations for plants coming from outside of the EU are too complicated for private individuals to manage. Therefore, Dragon Courier is the only shipping option we offer to all EU countries. It involves sending all EU orders to their agent in Amsterdam. The agent processes them through customs, pays all fees and taxes, and then hands them over to UPS, DHL, or DPD for final delivery within the EU. This is a pricier option, but it covers all payments, and you don't need to do anything on your side.
Other countries For other shipped countries no importer permit is needed for any amount of plants.
- Disinfect the plant 2 days before shipping;
- Remove soil on day of shipment;
- Clean roots with water until ALL soil is removed;
- Spray 0.03% imidacloprid over plants and dry 30 min;
- OR dip roots for 3 minutes in fungicide and Confidor solution (get sucked up by the plant);
- After that we place all in drying room for 45 min;
- Then we add sterile sphagnum to the roots and wrap this in plastic bag;
- We wrap roots in plastic bag and wrap plant in special designed, clean paper for export, and pack;
- We use new, never used card board boxes, that are tested and approved by ALL Global airfreight standards and ISO requirements.
Specification: Colocasia esculenta ‘Milky Way’
| Weight | 0.6 lbs |
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