Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’

A dark ornamental taro with ancient tropical roots

‘Redemption’ is a dark-leaved selection of Colocasia esculenta, with contrasting colour concentrated around the centre and veins. Its dramatic pigmentation is cultivated, while the broad shield-shaped blades and storage corm retain the structure of taro.

People have grown and transported taro since prehistory, leaving its natural ancestry centred broadly in tropical Asia and its early history intertwined with New Guinea and the Pacific. The species is associated with riverbanks, marshes and wet lowlands, where high warmth, regular rain and water-retentive ground support vigorous foliage.

Caring for Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’ indoors

Light

Position Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’ directly by a large bright window and introduce several hours of sun in stages. Strong daylight keeps the dark leaves firm and supports the coloured central area without requiring drought stress. A dim position produces smaller, softer leaves and long leaning stalks; sudden hot sun can bleach or scorch the upper surface. Existing colour is genetic, so extra fertiliser or harsher light will not create more of it.

Watering

Do not let Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’ become dry while it is carrying leaves. Water deeply when the upper 1–2 cm starts to dry and remove or replace stale runoff. The large dark leaves and active roots use substantial moisture, but a permanently sour root zone remains unsafe. Severe dryness can fold and drop a whole leaf; cold saturation threatens the corm-like base. Sun, heat and a root-filled pot increase demand, whereas low light and cooler temperatures reduce it.

Substrate and roots

Use a moisture-holding aroid mix for Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’, with quality potting substrate or coir, small bark and perlite or pumice. The thick roots need close, damp material and enough air after watering. Compacted soil can remain sour, while large bark chunks leave dry pockets. Keep the basal growing point exposed at its original level, choose a stable drainage pot and run plain water through the mix regularly to remove fertiliser residue.

Temperature

A practical indoor range for Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’ is 20–30 °C, with the root ball kept above 16 °C. Cold saturation can damage the basal storage tissue, while a chilled leaf touching glass develops dark patches. Avoid exterior-door draughts and air-conditioning. A radiator stream dries the broad dark surface unevenly. Keep temperature changes gradual, particularly while a new leaf is rolled inside its sheath.

Humidity and airflow

Average household humidity is workable for Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’, while 55–75% supports smoother expansion and reduces crisp edges on the broad dark leaves. Leave enough space for air to pass around the crown and moist substrate. Do not seal the plant into still humid air. Misting does not replace watering and often leaves marks across the coloured centre; use a humidifier if the room remains dry.

Fertilising

Use a complete foliage fertiliser for Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’ at about quarter strength every three to four weeks while roots and leaves are growing, moving towards half strength only for vigorous growth in strong light. A warm active plant can continue feeding outside summer. Reduce if water use slows or the plant becomes leafless. Extra nitrogen weakens leaf stalks, and regular plain-water flushing limits salt injury around thick roots.

Repotting

Repot Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’ when thick roots fill the drainage area, the dark crown becomes unstable or old substrate stays sour and wet. Select a broad heavy pot 4–6 cm wider. Keep the main underground base together and disturb healthy roots only as much as necessary. Warm active conditions support recovery. Return the growing point to its former level and divide an outer shoot only when it has a useful root system.

Support, pruning, handling and leaf care

Leave room around the broad dark crown and support the leaf stalk from below whenever the heavy pot is moved. Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’ normally remains upright in a stable broad pot, although a recently divided crown may need one loose temporary support. Turn it only between leaf flushes and cut an exhausted yellow leaf stalk near the base, leaving resistant sheath tissue to dry further. Wipe mature leaves gently with support beneath them, using plain water so residue does not dull the dark surface or coloured centre.

Colocasia ‘Redemption’ warning signs

The black leaf develops a neon-pink centre

The pink central starburst is a normal mature feature of ‘Redemption’ and may be modest on a newly opened leaf. Do not treat it as a lesion. Concern begins if the centre becomes soft, brown or tears into the petiole attachment.

New leaves stay greenish or fail to darken fully

A fresh blade may deepen as it hardens. Repeated pale, undersized growth during active warm conditions can indicate inadequate light, cold roots or weak root function. Improve light gradually and inspect the corm before feeding; light changes appearance but does not change the cultivar's genetics.

Rippled black tissue develops bleached tan panels

Abrupt intense sun can scorch the exposed ridges, leaving dry fixed areas. Move the plant back during acclimatisation and judge recovery by the next leaf. Soft spreading damage or a wet centre requires a faster crown check.

A rolled leaf stalls and browns before opening

Cold, damaged roots or a dry episode during expansion can stop the new leaf. Do not pull the roll apart; inspect the petiole and crown for firmness and restore stable warmth and moisture. If the roll is soft at its base, remove it and examine the growing point immediately.

The corm gives under light pressure

A sound Colocasia corm is firm. Softness, odour and rapid collapse of the petioles indicate urgent rot. Cut back to clean firm tissue and save any separate healthy offset; discard a corm whose central bud is fully decayed.

Pet Safety

Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’ is toxic if chewed because its raw leaves, stems and corm contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Cats, dogs and people may experience severe mouth irritation, swelling, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Keep it out of reach and seek prompt advice if swelling affects breathing or swallowing.

The patented name behind Redemption

The plant sold as Redemption has the cultivar name ‘Corede’, recorded in its United States plant patent.

Brian Paul Williams selected it in 2018 from a cross between two unnamed Colocasia esculenta plants. Its glossy, corrugated leaves are near-black with bright pink central veins.