Taro, Elephant Ear – Colocasia esculenta ‘Mojito’
Best vibrant foliage for gardeners seeking unique, healthy specimens.
The Mojito Colocasia is a striking shrub with unique black and green patterned leaves, perfect for adding a tropical and exotic feel to borders, rain gardens, pond edges, or containers. It thrives in wet areas and requires minimal maintenance, making it an ideal choice for those seeking low-effort, high-impact landscaping. This plant prefers moist, rich, well-drained loamy soil and can grow up to 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Its small, pale yellow to greenish-white flowers are not particularly showy, but the dramatic foliage provides year-round interest.
$31.25
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 3076
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
+13%
Above average
Height
34.
/ – ft
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking a visually striking and distinctive ornamental plant.
- Homeowners desiring an exotic, resort-like feel in their outdoor spaces.
- Designers and gardeners looking for flexible planting options.
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in temperate climates without suitable overwintering conditions.
- Individuals seeking low-maintenance plants or with limited watering routines.
- Pet owners and families with young children concerned about plant safety.
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Striking mottled foliage creates an instant tropical focal point.
Maintenance Ease
Thrives with minimal intervention once established in the right spot.
Moisture Adaptability
Perfect for rain gardens and pond edges where others struggle.
Growth Versatility
Adapts seamlessly to both container setups and expansive garden borders.
Environmental Resilience
Low tolerance for drought and salt limits its planting locations.
Growth Rate
Rapid development ensures a lush, full look in one season.
Key Specs
Height
3 – 4 ft.
Spread
3 – 6 ft.
Growth Rate
Moderate to fast
Soils
Loamy, moist, rich, and well-draining
Nutritional Requirements
High
Salt Water Tolerance
Low
Salt Wind Tolerance
Low
Drought Tolerance
Low
Features
- Unique black and green patterned leaves
- Thrives in wet areas and pond edges
- Requires no maintenance
- Suitable for container planting
- Adds a tropical and exotic look
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Colocasia esculenta ‘Mojito’ plants received from Smarty Plants Nursery. Reviewers frequently highlight the robust health and vibrant variegation of the plants upon arrival, often noting careful packaging that ensures safe transit. Many express delight with the plant's vigorous growth and the striking, unique patterns on its leaves, exceeding expectations. The overall consensus points to a high level of satisfaction regarding the plant's condition and its successful establishment in new environments. This strong positive sentiment underscores both the product's inherent quality and the nursery's commitment to delivering healthy specimens.
Know before you buy
Yes, this plant thrives in wet areas and is an excellent choice for pond edges. You can place it in a container submerged in shallow water or plant it directly into moist, boggy soil at the water's edge.
The Mojito Colocasia performs best in full sun to part sun. While it can handle partial shade, providing consistent light helps ensure the plant maintains its signature black and green mottled variegation.
Absolutely. It adapts well to container gardening, provided you use a rich, moisture-retentive potting mix. Be sure to keep the soil consistently damp, as this variety has low drought tolerance.
Because this plant has high nutritional requirements, it benefits from regular feeding during the growing season. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to support its moderate to fast growth rate and lush foliage.
The Mojito Colocasia has low drought tolerance and prefers consistently moist soil. If the soil dries out completely, the plant may wilt, so it is best suited for areas where you can provide regular irrigation or naturally wet conditions.
You can propagate this plant through division. Simply dig up the root clump during the growing season, carefully separate the offsets or 'pups' from the main plant, and replant them in fresh, nutrient-rich soil.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$31