Life Span
Annual
  
Annual
  
Type
Broadleaf Evergreen
  
Tender Perennial
  
Origin
China
  
Southeastern Asia
  
Types
Not available
  
Eddoe taro, Dasheen taro
  
Number of Varieties
Not Available
  
Habitat
Banks, Slopes
  
agricultural areas, Hillside, Warm and moist climatic conditions
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
6-9
  
10-11
  
AHS Heat Zone
Not Available
  
12-8
  
Sunset Zone
21,22
  
H1, H2, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Oval or Rounded
  
Clump-Forming
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
White, Ivory
  
White, Green
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Not Available
  
Fruit Color
Purple, Black
  
Red
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Dark Green, Yellow green
  
Dark Green, Ivory
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
  
Dark Green, Ivory
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
  
Dark Green, Ivory
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
  
Dark Green, Ivory
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Lance shaped
  
V-Shaped
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Partial Sun, Partial shade, Full Shade
  
Partial shade, Full Shade
  
Growth Rate
Medium
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Late Winter
  
Indeterminate
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
No
  
Tolerances
Deer resistant, Pollution, Shade areas
  
Heat Tolerance, Humidity, Salt and Soil Compaction, Shallow soil
  
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
  
Container
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Semi-hardwood cuttings
  
From Rhizomes
  
Plant Maintenance
Low
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Keep ground moist, Keep the Soil well drained
  
Needs 2-3 times watering per week, Needs a lot of water initially
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial shade, Full Shade
  
Partial shade, Full Shade
  
Pruning
Prune in spring, Prune in summer, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
No pruning needed
  
Fertilizers
Nitrogen, use all-purpose fertilizers
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Less fertilizing
  
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Sooty Mold
  
Aphids, Rats, Snails
  
Plant Tolerance
Deer resistant, Drought, Pollution, Shade areas
  
Heat Tolerance, Salt and Soil Compaction, Shade areas
  
Flowers
Insignificant
  
Insignificant
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Not Available
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Medium
  
Bold
  
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
  
Glossy
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
No
  
Attracts
Birds
  
Aphids, Bugs, Not Available, Snails
  
Allergy
Not Available
  
Swelling in mouth, Throat itching
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
  
Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Poison Ivy, Skin cleanser, Weightloss
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Food for birds
  
No fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides needed, Prevent weeds
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Not Available
  
Aging, Laxative, Weight loss
  
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Fruits
  
Leaf Stalks, Leaves
  
Other Uses
Food for animals, Showy Purposes
  
Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant
  
Used As Indoor Plant
No
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Topiary, Bonsai, Espalier
  
Container, Feature Plant, Groundcover, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
  
Botanical Name
SARCOCOCCA confusa
  
ALOCASIA micholitziana
  
Common Name
Sweet Box
  
Elephant Ear, Taro
  
In Hindi
Sarcococca confusa
  
अरवी
  
In German
Sarcococca verwirrt
  
Colocasia (Pflanzengattung)
  
In French
Sarcococca confus
  
Colocasia
  
In Spanish
Sarcococca confundido
  
Colocasia
  
In Greek
Sarcococca συγχέεται
  
Colocasia
  
In Portuguese
Sarcococca confuso
  
Colocasia
  
In Polish
sarcococca mylić
  
Kolokazja
  
In Latin
confusa Sarcococca
  
Colocasia
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Liliopsida
  
Order
Buxales
  
Arales
  
Family
Buxaceae
  
Araceae
  
Genus
Sarcococca
  
Alocasia
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots
  
Angiosperms, Monocots
  
Tribe
Not Available
  
Colocasiodeae
  
Subfamily
Not Available
  
Aroideae