Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’

Origin and botanical background of Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’

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.

Care through leafy growth and seasonal change

Repotting

Repot Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’ when thick roots fill the drainage area, the dark crown becomes unstable or old substrate stays sour and wet. Return the growing point to its former level and divide an outer shoot only when it has an established root system.

Light

Position Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’ directly by a large bright window and introduce several hours of sun in stages. A dim position produces smaller, softer leaves and long leaning stalks; sudden hot sun can bleach or scorch the upper surface.

Watering

Do not let Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’ become dry while it is carrying leaves. Severe dryness can fold and drop a whole leaf; cold saturation threatens the corm-like base.

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.

Temperature

Keep Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’ warm and protect its moist root ball from cold. Leaves touching chilled glass can develop dark patches.

Fertilising

Use a complete foliage fertiliser at the low end of the product-label rate while Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’ is producing roots and leaves. Increase only within the labelled range for vigorous growth in strong light, and reduce feeding if water use slows or the plant becomes leafless.

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.

Colocasia esculenta ‘Redemption’ 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.

How the name Colocasia esculenta came about

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.