Colocasia esculenta ‘Lemon Lime Gecko’

Breeding and natural origin of Colocasia esculenta ‘Lemon Lime Gecko’

‘Lemon Lime Gecko’ is a hybrid bred by Brian Williams and belongs to the Gecko Series. The native range of Colocasia esculenta extends from India to southern China and Sumatra.

Care for Colocasia esculenta ‘Lemon Lime Gecko’

‘Lemon Lime Gecko’ likes a consistently moist rootball while it is growing. Use rich compost that holds moisture and drains well, in a pot with drainage holes. Water when the surface begins to dry and let the pot drain thoroughly afterwards.

Keep it close to a bright window with filtered light. Increase direct sun gradually, and use a sheer curtain where the midday sun is strong. Keep it warm while it is actively growing. If indoor air is dry, moderate to high humidity can help.

Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser according to the label while new leaves are developing. If lower light slows the plant down, keep the compost only lightly moist and pause feeding until growth picks up again.

Repot when roots crowd the pot or appear through the drainage holes. Move it into a pot one size larger, keep it at the same depth and refresh the compost around the rootball.

Troubleshooting Colocasia esculenta ‘Lemon Lime Gecko’

• Leaves wilt and the compost feels dry: Water thoroughly and let the pot drain. If the compost has dried so much that it repels water, soak the pot briefly until the mix is evenly moist, then drain it well.
• Fine pale specks or webbing appear: Check for spider mites, especially on the leaf undersides. Isolate the plant and rinse the foliage. If mites remain, use an indoor insecticidal soap labelled for use on this plant and spider mites, and repeat only as directed on the label.
• Tiny white insects fly up from the foliage: Whitefly may be present. Isolate the plant and wash the leaf undersides. If whitefly remains, use an indoor insecticidal soap labelled for use on this plant and whitefly, and repeat only as directed on the label.
• Leaves wilt or collapse even though the compost is wet: Root or crown rot may be developing. Stop watering, empty any standing water and make sure the drainage holes are clear. If the plant keeps declining or the base feels soft, wear gloves and inspect the roots and corm. Cut mushy roots or soft corm tissue back to firm, healthy tissue with a clean tool, discard the rotten material and old compost, disinfect the tool and repot in fresh compost that drains freely. Discard the plant if the base is soft throughout.
• Brown tips appear with white deposits on the compost or pot: Fertiliser or mineral salts may have built up. Remove the deposits, flush the compost with plain water and let the pot drain.

Colocasia esculenta ‘Lemon Lime Gecko’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

What does Colocasia esculenta mean, and who first published it?

Colocasia comes from ancient Greek kolokasion, a name for an edible, corm-bearing plant. Esculenta means edible, reflecting taro’s long history as a food plant.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Colocasia in 1832 in Meletemata Botanica, page 18.

Carl Linnaeus first described it as Arum esculentum in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 965. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott later placed it in Colocasia as Colocasia esculenta in 1832 in Meletemata Botanica, page 18.