Taro (Colocasia esculenta 'Kona Coffee')
Colocasia esculenta 'Kona Coffee' offers dramatic, dark purple-black foliage, lending a tropical flair. This Taro variety thrives in wet conditions.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Colocasia esculenta ‘Kona Coffee’ is a striking, compact selection renowned for its glossy, dark purple-black, heart-shaped foliage. This cultivar of Taro provides immediate, lush, tropical drama in the garden, easily reaching up to three feet in height. Gardeners prize this plant for its bold texture and color contrast against brighter perennials.
As a tuberous perennial, this specific variety generally requires protection outside mild climates, though ‘Kona Coffee’ exhibits improved cold tolerance compared to the standard species. It excels in conditions where many plants fail, particularly thriving in moist to wet soils, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens or pond peripheries. Growing Colocasia esculenta ‘Kona Coffee’ ensures a commanding focal point throughout the warm season.
The massive leaves, often described as elephant ears, give this Taro its common nickname and provide substantial architectural interest. Even though the flowers are horticulturally insignificant, the foliage alone secures its place as a highly desirable specimen plant. Proper siting ensures the dark, handsome coloration of Colocasia esculenta ‘Kona Coffee’ remains vibrant.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Araceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 7-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 1.5-2 ft
- Bloom Time: Flowers not showy
- Bloom Description: Flowers not showy
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting should ideally occur in mid-spring after the danger of frost has passed, though specific timing can vary; in colder zones (below 8), plan to dig tubers before the fall frost. Colocasia esculenta ‘Kona Coffee’ demands fertile, humusy, organically rich soils that are kept reliably moist to wet. Afternoon shade is beneficial in regions experiencing intense summer heat, preventing leaf scorch.
Taro requires consistent moisture, and the soil should never be allowed to dry out completely during the growing season. These plants are vigorous growers and benefit greatly from regular fertilization throughout the active growth period to support their massive leaf production. Site your Colocasia esculenta ‘Kona Coffee’ where it is shielded from strong winds, which can tear the large foliage.
For extended growing seasons or in colder zones, consider growing the plants as pond marginals, submerged in up to six inches of standing water. In USDA Zones 8 through 10, tubers can usually be left in the ground for year-round growth. In cooler regions, dig the tubers after the first fall frost and store them similarly to cannas, keeping them cool (above 45°F) and dry, packed in peat or wood shavings.
Landscape Uses
Colocasia esculenta ‘Kona Coffee’ is unparalleled for lending an instant, large tropical look to landscapes. Its impressive size and deep coloration make it an excellent specimen plant, drawing the eye in mixed borders or acting as a dramatic punctuation mark in containers. Its requirement for moisture means it naturally partners well with bog plants or those requiring consistent watering.
Use this Taro variety to create dynamic layers in a rain garden, where its tolerance for wet soil is fully utilized. Imagine pairing the dark leaves of Colocasia esculenta ‘Kona Coffee’ with lighter green, fine-textured grasses or bright, constantly flowering annuals for dramatic tonal contrast. It is also highly effective planted near water features or ponds, fulfilling its potential as a true water margin plant.
For container gardening, ensure the pot is large enough to accommodate its robust spread and use a rich potting medium. Grouping several plants together, perhaps interspersed with structural foliage like variegated grasses, enhances the exotic feel this plant provides.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Insignificant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Colocasia esculenta, commonly called taro or elephant ear, is a tuberous, stemless, frost-tender perennial of the arum family. For gardeners, it is primarily grown as a foliage plant with huge, heart-shaped to arrowhead-shaped, conspicuously-veined, downward-pointing, peltate leaves that resemble an elephant’s ear. ‘Kona Coffee’ is specifically noted as a compact, colorful-leaved selection; mature plants reach up to 3’ tall with glossy, dark purple-black leaves up to one foot long.
Tolerances
- Wet Soil
Potential Problems
Colocasia esculenta ‘Kona Coffee’ generally avoids any serious insect or disease problems under optimal growing conditions. The main management concern revolves around winter survival outside of Zones 7b-10, necessitating the proper overwintering of tubers—do not allow storage areas to drop below 45°F. Proper soil drainage is crucial if growing in standard garden beds rather than standing water, as soggy, cold, poorly draining soil can lead to rot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Taro suitable for?
Colocasia esculenta ‘Kona Coffee’ is best suited for USDA Zones 7 through 10, offering slightly better cold tolerance than the standard species.
How large does Colocasia esculenta ‘Kona Coffee’ grow?
Mature plants typically reach a height between 2 and 3 feet, with a spread ranging from 1.5 to 2 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Taro need?
This plant prefers full sun, but it benefits from part shade, especially in climates that experience very hot summers.
When does Colocasia esculenta ‘Kona Coffee’ bloom?
The flowers of this cultivar are not showy and occur infrequently, thus it is grown purely for its outstanding foliage.
Conclusion
Colocasia esculenta ‘Kona Coffee’ brings undeniable, bold tropical structure to almost any garden setting, especially where moisture is plentiful. The intense dark color of this Taro variety makes it an excellent textural anchor in mixed plantings. Before finalizing your design, confirm your local hardiness rating and plan your spring planting schedule accordingly to maximize growth.
Companion Planting
When designing a tropical look using Colocasia esculenta ‘Kona Coffee,’ select companions that echo its intense requirements for sun and moisture. Plants like Cannas, Cannas, or Canna Lilies, offer complementary large foliage and bright blooms that thrive alongside Taro. For textural balance, consider adding fine-leaved grasses or lighter green hostas if you are grouping them near a shaded margin.
In rain garden settings, pair this large specimen with moisture-loving perennials such as Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) or robust ferns that can handle periodically saturated roots. Since ‘Kona Coffee’ appreciates heavy fertilization, choosing companions with similar feeding needs simplifies the overall maintenance schedule for the area.
Design Ideas
The deep, near-black coloration of Colocasia esculenta ‘Kona Coffee’ is highly effective when used as a backdrop to illuminate brighter plants. Use it near patios or walkways where its architectural form is easily appreciated up close. It functions exceptionally well as a “Thriller” element in large container arrangements, often paired with cascading “Spillers” like sweet potato vine and upright “Fillers” like coleus.
To emphasize the dark, rich tones of the leaves, position the Taro cultivar where it catches the late afternoon sun, which helps reveal the glossy texture. Avoid placing it directly against dark fences or stones, as this can cause the dramatic foliage to visually recede; instead, contrast it with light-colored gravel or stone edging.
