Taro is new to gardens in Central Europe. Of course it was known, but it was considered a tropical plant suitable only for the connoisseur with a heated greenhouse. It is a different situation the USA, there it is a widely used garden plant, even in the cooler regions. Also in Central Europe it can be successfully cultivated in garden during the summer months. Due to its rampant growth it develops into a true show stopper in no time. There is hardly another plant available that can add such a tropical touch to your border or your pond. During winter you treat it like Dahlias: after the first frost dig out the tubers and store them cool and dry inside the house. In spring they will start to grow again as soon as they get enough sunlight and water.

This is one of the varieties that is used as a vegetable in the tropics. The foliage is dark green or sometimes even black and it may exceed one meter length (in Europe it remains much smaller). The tubers are used to gain starch. If you intend to harvest it for food, you will need to change several times the water in which it is boiled. That way the oxalat crystals are removed.