Light
Very bright / some direct • approx. 20,000–40,000 lux
Buy 4 plants, get 1 free
Araceae
Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito'
- Curated selection:
Every plant is hand‑picked for health and visual appeal, so you receive a strong, well‑established plant.
- Representative photos:
Product images show a typical plant of this variety. Natural differences in leaf number, shape or variegation are normal, your plant will still match in type and quality.
- Size details:
Listed sizes refer to pot diameter (cm) and approximate overall height (cm) from the base of the pot to the tallest leaf or stem.
- “Get What You See” items:
If you are buying the exact plant shown in the photos, this is clearly stated in the size section.
- Individual photos:
One‑off photos are only provided when this is explicitly mentioned in the size section. - For special traits or small quirks, please check the full product description.
VAT included · plus
Your new plant has just travelled a long way and needs a calm start in its new home. For step-by-step unboxing and first-week care, check our after-delivery care guide. For deeper tips on how your plant settles in over the next weeks, read our houseplant acclimatization guide.
- Care basics , Main hub with links to all houseplant care guides.
- After delivery & first week , Unpacking, first placement, and early recovery.
- Light, How much light houseplants really need indoors.
- Watering , When to water and how to avoid root rot.
- Substrates & roots, Potting mixes and drainage for strong root systems.
- Humidity, When humidity matters and what actually helps.
- Fertilizing, Simple feeding routine without burning roots.
- Problems & pests, Yellow leaves, brown tips, bugs, and fixes that work.
- Semi-hydro, How to run low-maintenance mineral substrates.
Secure shipping, carefully packed orders with safe delivery across the EU, UK and Switzerland.
28-day plant guarantee, if a plant arrives damaged or fails soon after delivery, we help you make it right.
Free returns, simple, cost-free returns according to our policy.
For full details, please see:
Please head to our FAQ Page or Contact us.
Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito'
Quick Care Guide
Watering
Water when ~5–15% dry
Substrate
Moisture-retentive + airy • Steady-moist • Organic-forward • Fine
Temperature
Ideal: 20–30 °C • Avoid below: 10 °C
Humidity
Humid 60–80 % +
Growth habit
Upright clumping tuberous herbaceous perennial.
Support
not needed
Growth speed
Average
Max size indoors
Max. height: 150 cm • Max. spread: 120 cm
Toxicity & safety
Toxic
Origin & habitat
Cultivar of Colocasia esculenta; species native from India to southern China and Sumatra
Outdoor growing
Outside from 15 °C · sheltered spot
How to read these values
These care values are quick reference points for indoor growing. Use them as a guide, then adjust for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.
For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.
- Light: level and approximate lux at leaf level.
- Watering: “% dry” shows how far the substrate should dry before watering again.
- Substrate: structure, drainage, moisture retention, base material and particle size.
- Temperature: “Ideal” shows the preferred range; “Avoid below” marks the cold-stress threshold.
- Humidity: target range; steady conditions usually matter more than exact numbers.
- Growth habit: how the plant grows, such as upright, climbing, trailing, clumping or rosette-forming.
- Support: whether a stake, pole or trellis is needed, optional or unnecessary.
- Growth speed: expected pace under suitable indoor conditions; use as a guide, not a promise.
- Max size indoors: realistic long-term indoor size under good conditions.
- Toxicity & safety: irritation, toxicity or physical hazards such as spines or bristles.
- Origin & habitat: native range, hybrid background or typical habitat where relevant.
- Outdoor growing: when a potted indoor plant can be placed outside and what outdoor protection it needs.
Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito' – Variegated Elephant Ear with Black Mottling
Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito' delivers lime-green leaves spattered with irregular black to deep purple markings, each blade uniquely patterned. Originating as a colourful tissue-culture mutation discovered by Ty Strode in Florida, this ornamental taro brings instant tropical drama to borders, patio containers, and shallow water features. Petioles range from pale white to blush pink with dark streaks, amplifying contrast and collector appeal.
Foliage and Petiole Features of ‘Mojito’
- Leaf colour: Bright lime base with black flecks, splashes, and marbling; no two leaves alike.
- Petioles: White to soft pink, often streaked with black.
- Leaf size: Commonly 35 – 45 cm; larger under optimal heat, light, and nutrition.
- Habit: Upright, clumping growth from a central corm with seasonal speed in warm weather.
- Mature size: Typically 1.0 – 1.2 m tall, 60 – 90 cm spread in a single season outdoors.
Botanical Background and Natural Range (Parent Species)
Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott is native to tropical Asia (Indo-Malayan region) and has been cultivated for millennia as taro. It is now grown and naturalised across humid tropics worldwide. ‘Mojito’ is an ornamental cultivar of this species and is not intended for food use.
Positioning ‘Mojito’ for Maximum Colour and Growth
- Light: Bright light to partial sun encourages bold contrast and larger leaves. In hot climates, provide light afternoon shade to prevent scorch on variegated tissue.
- Placement: Works as a focal point in mixed tropical borders, a statement container on terraces, or in pond margins with shallow standing water during warm months.
Moisture, Humidity, and Environmental Cues
- Water: Keep substrate consistently moist in active growth; do not allow to dry out fully. In heat, wind, or porous pots, water more frequently; in cooler, low-light conditions, slow the schedule to avoid saturation.
- Humidity: Thrives in naturally humid summer air; steady humidity supports larger, cleaner foliage.
- Temperature: Optimal 20 – 30 °C. Growth slows below ~18 °C; protect from cold snaps and drying winds.
Soil Mixes and Aquatic Planting Tips
- Garden soil/containers: Rich, moisture-retentive mix with high organic matter. For pots, use a blend of quality compost, fine bark or coir, and a small proportion of mineral aggregate (pumice/perlite) to prevent stagnation.
- Water features: Plant into heavy loam or an aquatic basket; submerge so the crown is just above water and the pot rim sits slightly below the surface once established.
- Container size: Use a large, stable pot to support leaf mass and frequent watering.
Nutrients and Seasonal Growth Strategy
- Fertiliser: At planting, incorporate slow-release granules. During peak growth, supplement every 2 – 3 weeks with a liquid feed. Higher nitrogen early in season builds leaf mass; a balanced feed maintains colour and momentum mid-season.
- Pace: Expect rapid foliage turnover in warm months with adequate water and nutrition.
Temperature Management and Overwintering
- Frost sensitivity: Not frost hardy. Before first frost, either move containers indoors to bright, warm conditions or lift and store corms.
- Storing corms: Trim foliage, dry the corms for several days, then store in a cool, dry, frost-free place (about 10 – 15 °C). Replant in spring after danger of frost.
Troubleshooting and Quick Fixes for Healthy Growth
- Yellowing leaves: Commonly excess moisture in cool weather or nutrient shortfall. Improve drainage and feed regularly.
- Leaf scorch or bleaching: Too much direct midday sun or insufficient water; provide afternoon shade and increase irrigation.
- Slow growth: Often low temperature or depleted nutrients; raise warmth and feed.
- Pests: Monitor for aphids and spider mites; rinse foliage and treat with insecticidal soap if needed.
Styling and Landscape Use
- Pair with solid green or purple elephant ears, cannas, and papyrus for layered tropical contrast.
- Use dark or minimalist planters to emphasise lime leaves and black mottling.
- Group with bold annuals for colour echo and season-long impact.
Etymology
Colocasia derives from Greek kolokasion, historically used for edible aroid roots; esculenta means “edible.” ‘Mojito’ refers to the cocktail’s lime-green colour palette, reflecting leaf tone rather than flavour.
Safety Note
Contains insoluble calcium oxalates; irritating if ingested. Keep away from pets and children.
Add Colocasia esculenta ‘Mojito’ to Cart
Make a bold statement with lime-green foliage and inky black marbling. Colocasia esculenta ‘Mojito’ brings reliable tropical impact with straightforward care. Add to Cart and transform summer plantings with a collector-grade elephant ear.
Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.
FAQs about Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito'
Recently viewed:
Sign up for Foliage Factory newsletter for early access to new arrivals and practical care tips that work in real homes.