COLOCASIA - All You Need to Know About this Highly Underrated AROID | Discover RARE Varieties!

I’m back in Singapore and in the garden of a Colocasia obsessed plant lover Anli. I’ve seen tons showy colocasias in the Thailand plant shows, but no one has been able to share information on this elusive genus - until now.
In this episode, we delve deep into the care. Because they are such easy plants to grow, the care tips is a short one!
We tour his extensive rare Colocasia collection with beauty at every turn.
Host instagram: @bo.tan.ist
My instagram: @bo.tan.ist
Support me on patreon: / seanfromonlyplants

[@user-rv4jw4qr7z]

Thank you for this vidéo. I love this kind of collector. We can only see the love for his plants in his eyes. Proud daddy!

[@onlyplants]

Oh yes he was gleaming when he talked about them.

[@AnLiLeung]

Thanks alot! Colos are my first and current love ❤

[@angeliquedevosd416]

The most beautiful plants on earth that make flowers shy away.

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@836dmar]

Probably the best collection I’ve seen. Excellent! Thank you!

[@onlyplants]

You’re welcome ❤️

[@MaybeTiberius]

there are so many little known plants that seem to be really underrated somehow. with most of the plant community, you hear everyone rave about the ''common'' plants like monsteras, alocasias, philodendron and alike but then i watch some of the plant tour videos or meetups and i m seeing so many awesome plants i have never even heard of before :O

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@brocktoon8]

That Phantom was amazing! I love colocasias, they're so magical. Nice relaxing jazz too!

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️ I loves the Phantom too it looks like an expensive velvet curtain

[@brocktoon8]

Yes, very velvety! ^^@@onlyplants

[@cherylj7460]

Oh my! The ‘Goddess’ hybrid took my breath away! I currently have a new Waikiki.

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@raf1717]

I love seeing people with a collection focused on one genus.. please find more people doing this. ❤

[@onlyplants]

I am always on the hunt for them 😀

[@daleyrick4121]

I think I love colocasia plants now

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@Dhruv_Dogra]

I like them because for me overwatering them is never a problem!

[@onlyplants]

Haha I have an overwatering tendency too

[@merralquek5197]

A very comprehensive talk on how to grow colocasia. Can even use this video as a learning programme. Great job to both of you 🎉🎉🎉

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@valerieclark5695]

Thanks for another great video. Colocasias aren't grown much as houseplants, at least not here in NYC, and it was nice to learn more about them. I didn't know they were all hybridized from one species.

[@AnLiLeung]

Give it a go! You will need to overwinter them, but you'll get to enjoy them during the growing season, which in my experience here, lasts about 6 months.

[@onlyplants]

They might not get to the maximum full potential size there. With the right overwintering technique they should be able to be happy there 😀

[@carolstuff]

Omg! This is the best colocasia collection I’ve ever seen. Thanks for sharing Sean!

[@onlyplants]

Thank you 🥰🥰

[@peapod1217]

I love colocasias! I have just 4 varieties but they are all so easy to grow. Does well in all mediums and even directly planted in water. They are easy to find here in Malaysia.

[@onlyplants]

Cool! We have similar climates. I actually havent tried one myself

[@vickokoszka6836]

WOW.....I WASNT EXPECTING THAT. THEY ARE BEYOND STUNNING....MAGNIFIQUE 😊❤

[@onlyplants]

Yeahh I cant believe they are are ignored by many collectors

[@alexandraelin]

What a lovely episode! Thank you for your work 🥰

[@onlyplants]

Thank you 🥰🥰

[@yesim_unal]

Thank you for sharing plants that are not so hyped yet still very gorgeous.

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@plantoisme465]

This vid is very interesting and inspirational 👍❤ Thanks Sean and An Li for sharing this 🙏❣️

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@wishingonthemoon1]

Alocasia is my favorite genus-I have yet to delve into collecting its pretty cousin, colocasia. Thank you for this video 🤩

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@user-mm1ot5de7r]

These are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for exposing us to so many varieties.

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@mizzmartinni6014]

💚💚💚💚 I need the Singapore 🇸🇬 weather 😮😮😮💚💚💚

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@mickz2689]

Colocasias will look good in your front balcony Sean. This video is amazing. I have always been fascinated with Pharaoh's Mask and Mojito. I never knew theres more of them. I would love to have some but I have a small space problems. The dark coloured ones are gorgeous.

[@onlyplants]

Yes they would! But the balcony is too small for a large plant like this 😅 but it would love my overwatering habits

[@lindaedwards4632]

Incredible Colocasia’s 💕 Thank you the tour 😀🇨🇦

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@familyglover2997]

Wonderful video! Love your work

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@jcempaulo1123]

Thankyou for sharing. I'm starting to collect colocacia and I hope I can grow them beautifully just like what u feature.

[@onlyplants]

Thank you. Full sun and lots of nutrients and water seem to be the key 😀

[@jirehharl]

Great video!❤

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@LucasEY]

What an amazing video and collection, thanks to both of you! I love my one colocasia, it's like an alocasia but much hardier/forgiving. Hoping some of these cultivars become more accessible in North America soon.

[@onlyplants]

Thanks Lucas

[@moirasiewlingtoh1941]

thanks Sean for this video. Its obvious An Li loves this breed of plants n he is knowledgeable of this breed!! i followed his tips of potting into a bigger pot (sunlight n water) n my colocasias exploded in size n number of leaves. I also use his control method for pests n it works . thanks again 😊

[@onlyplants]

Yes he is bursting with love for this Genus. Its beautiful to film and watch.

[@moirasiewlingtoh1941]

@@onlyplants wonderful w

[@moirasiewlingtoh1941]

@@onlyplants wonderful Sean ! keep up your spirit n great enthusiasm n interest 🤗

[@sarahmo6785]

What a wonderful collection 💚 And yes colocasias are underrated. I don’t know why because they are so beautiful and easy to grow. I wish I had more space to grow more of them !!

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@lexikinsey]

These are so underrated, thanks for showing them to us!

[@onlyplants]

Thank you

[@Dixiwonderlandyoutube]

Such a lovely way to start my day 🥰

[@onlyplants]

🥰🥰 have a great sunday ahead

[@renatosoares8140]

I can’t wait to find them in our plant store

[@nickgan8089]

Love this video.

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@jennywong9848]

Thanks Sean.. really happy to have this episode about colocasia cause I was looking for tips to grow and care for colocasia lately... mine have not been doing well and I guess after your earlier advice to me plus everything i've learned from this video, the problem with my colocasia might be lack of nutrients. I don't feed them on weekly basis but once a while ... will try to see how my colocasia responds to this and will update you in the future!

[@onlyplants]

Do you give it full sun and also let it sit in water?

[@jennywong9848]

I did initially but after not seeing any improvement , I moved them to a shaded place … now I have to move them back to the water and under direct sunlight …

[@aidensiessmayer5615]

2:18 Actually there are a lot more species, it's just that not many people collect them... I think he meant to say the cultivars are almost all Esculentas.

[@onlyplants]

Yes I think he meant the ones people collect for the colorways 😀

[@sergiovieira1053]

Yes, I was about to write that too. For example, Colocasia antiquorum (eddoe) has also a lovely foliage, suitable for gardening.

[@AnLiLeung]

There's really only one species of Colocasia, C. esculenta. It's just that there's incredible variation across the species:)

[@aidensiessmayer5615]

@@AnLiLeung There are actually around a dozen recognized species. The ones in cultivation are usually not these, but there are still more species than esculenta.

[@AnLiLeung]

Hi! Please share what these other species are! My researching online keeps pointing me to a single species.

[@janecurtis5726]

Some spectacular cultivars!

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@SkyeRiv]

Every plant looks sooo healthy!!!

[@onlyplants]

😀😀 usually when one focus on a genus, the focus, love and care that goes to it result in better yields 😀

[@TheMillennialPlantDad]

So lovely to watch

[@onlyplants]

😀❤️

[@masyogi4442]

amazing collection..❤

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@jojonajaniatofficial795]

Beautiful❤❤❤❤

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@user-tm3ut8hl2i]

A stunning collection 👏👏. Something to aim at as a Colocasia newbie. I would rank C. Phantom and C. Black Galaxy as my favorites.

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@nirmaliemendis7165]

Love the collection ...😊

[@onlyplants]

❤️

[@ericaeschenbacher4921]

Love it when you embrace the chaos, awesome jacket! The idea to make future projects available to the fans is smart. Many of my projects stall out when I can't find them a good home. ( Not on social media or wanting to deal with selling) I wonder if you have a PO Box one could mail jackets or other suitable items to decorate with your special touch of creative genius? What's in the Mail to Market would make an excellent series. 😻

[@ericaeschenbacher4921]

Uh this isn't for the colocasias obviously. I have this saved for later and must have began as I was writing this message for previous creative video 😵‍💫 Plants are my other passion, I always learn so much from your videos.😻 Sorry for any confusion 😹

[@Idious]

Makes me wish for more light and a longer summer where I come from 😍

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@SkyeRiv]

Why!!!?? Why!!!? I just want to propagate these off of the YT video. Such an Amazing Vvideo!!!!😍😍😍😍🤤

[@onlyplants]

Haha yes. I cant see myself owning one due to space constraints but it was so nice to be around these magnificent beauties

[@supingpilario3783]

Stunning colocasias

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️🐸

[@onechristianwallace]

Oh...That collection!!!

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@jovitatulloch814]

Thanks for sharing👍💚💚💚

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@liharwatihardja1881]

Thanks for this video..

[@onlyplants]

You’re most welcome 😀

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thank you Sean ! 🎃🍁🍂💚🙃

[@onlyplants]

❤️😀

[@litsnombre6390]

Beautiful❤

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@wandawilson6266]

Wow nice collection. I just boughta couple of diamond heads their black leaves. Bulbs. An Alocassla hilo beauty Green spotted. I sure hope that i can grow them as huge as yours.

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@leonardohenriquez8721]

Saludos desde Chile 🇨🇱 acá no tenemos clima para esas hermosuras pero lo creamos artificialmente. Sin embargo tus tips están muy buenos. Sigue con más videos por favor

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️❤️

[@janahradec]

Absolutely amazing!!! Unfortunately here in Europe they can only be grown outside in the summer! Otherwise only in a heated greenhouse or conservatory :) But they are wonderful plants!!!

[@onlyplants]

Oh yess but they are fast growers, within one growing season one should be able to enjoy a nice sized plant. But does require over-wintering. Which can be a challenge due to their large size!

[@northernplantuckyplantcinc2630]

Incredible tour and collection. Since I live in a temperate climate I have always assumed that colocasia,and caladiums required a dormancy, even in tropical climates. I thought that was the main reason alocasias are so popular as houseplants versus all the beautiful plants that you have just shown is that although alocasias can go dormant they don't have to. Would you have any information on that?

[@onlyplants]

I actually cant find much helpful information online about alocasias needing a dormancy… here in the tropics they live all year around. I guess in times of scarcity (rain) or stress they might be reduced to a bulb to conserve leaves… maybe someone can jump in this comment with better advice on this topic. Im curious to know as well.

[@Shevtali]

Wow, these Colocasias are really stunning! I would love to grow them if I could offer them better conditions (not enough light and space in a tiny Apartment 😢). Thank you for the video and thank you for showing your beautiful collection, Anli :)

[@onlyplants]

Yeahh sometimes its nice to enjoy certain plants from afar 😀 I feel lucky to have access to these collectors

[@linilahtin9917]

Thanks for sharing...

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@surgeinc1]

Wonderful video and very nice camera work. We live in the southern US and grow Colacasias quite well except for the Mojitos. The original plant 5 yrs has produced off shoots that are huge and healthy… but no black. Just lime green, crème and dark green. Do we need to start over with a new Mojito and toss these out?

[@onlyplants]

Wooh I have a feeling you might have to start over. I hear the nutrients and light levels affect color 😀 maybe play with that a bit

[@AnLiLeung]

Are you certain the bulb is Mojito? Could it possibly be Lemon Lime Gecko or Limeade? Mojito has rather consistent variegation and I've found that the black patches are present on every leaf. The darkness of the black patches may vary depending on how healthy your plant is. Healthy plant = pitch black patches!

[@surgeinc1]

@@AnLiLeung Thank you for your insightful response. Yes, clearly this is a Lemon Lime Gecko. The logical conclusion is that there was a LLG corm mixed in with the Mohito and was the one that survived the harsh winter and continued to propagate. Being small juveniles and with limited understanding at that time, we were confused. Thank you for clearing up this mystery. We enjoyed your video very much!

[@AmericanaGardens]

Love Colocasias!

[@onlyplants]

😀😀

[@karolishka01]

Beautiful 🥰

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@leahnelson771]

Wonderful

[@onlyplants]

Thank you Leah

[@shivashamkarchamanchi6388]

WOW WHAT AN AMAZING COLLECTON OF COLOCASIAS I NEVER SEEN IN INDIA. TANQ FOR SHARING .

[@AnLiLeung]

I'm sure you'll be able to grow them well in India:)

[@onlyplants]

😀 I hope some people bring them in soon

[@PlantswithCoffee]

Here in Ph the Taro one has different varieties if im not mistaken Taro is the domisticated colocasia as its became part of Ph diets. Now talking about wild, there is a wild colocasia where it has long runners and the color is green, usually found in riverside togther with some wild caladium. Also, i found some yellow variegated one which we considered the itchy version colocasia. Even this grow wild, the runners and new baby leaf of this colocasia become part of Filipino’s Diet.

[@onlyplants]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@sharonpollitt1524]

Thanks!

[@onlyplants]

Wow thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@aarflowers9066]

Very beautiful❤

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@karenmyers9146]

This is a gorgeous collection. I wonder how cool if a temperature it can tolerate. Would love to grow some here in the USA in SE Georgia.

[@onlyplants]

Not sure about its tolerance frost but you might want to bring it in for overwintering. They can actually go dormant and come back with vigor next spring.

[@yororo0820]

colocasias are the best!! I have 3 varieties all loving full sun and HEAPS of water

[@onlyplants]

😀 I need to get some too

[@vvormwood____]

Colocasia fallax and Colocasia fontanesii are taxons though and actual separate species

[@zalehaburude7752]

Immensely beautiful... 😍 😍 😍

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@istylebyboongteng5725]

Wow!! Colocasia Goddess

[@onlyplants]

❤️😀

[@AnLiLeung]

It is beautiful because you created it, Teng!:)

[@istylebyboongteng5725]

@@AnLiLeung I will try to improve further 😁😁😁

[@mayyang4756]

Amazingly beautiful. Love to grow them. Do you send to theUS???

[@onlyplants]

You can DM him directly, his instagram is in the video description 😀

[@ryze2986]

popcorn ready XD

[@onlyplants]

Yayeee

[@delight7304]

Great video! Thank you Shawn and An Li! What about growing colocasia indoors? Did he drop any information about this? Greetings from Germany :)

[@AnLiLeung]

Hello! Whether they are grown outdoors or indoors isn't the issue. I think even if they were grown indoors but received about 6H of direct sunlight (eg. Through a transparent roof) everyday and provided that the indoor conditions don't get too cold, they'll grow well! Unfortunately, for most growers, growing them indoors means giving the plant indirect light or using grow lights, which is grossly insufficient for colos. Indoor growing also usually involves using small pots, which Colos don't like. I hope that answers your question:)

[@onlyplants]

We discussed this off screen… and its impossible to grow them to full potential maturity indoors due to the lack of light (they really love full sun, full day.) and also airflow indoors. But it is possible to keep them potted and small indoors. I would give it the best light possible, even supplementing with artificial.

[@delight7304]

thank you for your detailed reply @@AnLiLeung ☺

[@LeafyConversations]

I have a Colocasia Redemption in my house in water it loves it! My concern though all the leaves are yellowing like burns all round the leaves. It’s not in direct sunlight we have trees covering our windows in the winter. I may have put too much fertilizer in the water, not sure.

[@onlyplants]

It might be getting too much water without the full sun. Or it might be bacteria/fungal infection too

[@LeafyConversations]

@@onlyplants I dumped it out today to look at the roots and there was a decent amount rotting. Now I have it in just plain water so I can watch the roots. How much full sun should it get a day?

[@gaddaitherage8204]

I love Colocasias. I live in HK and a shop recently carried electric blue geckos. I bought 7 because they are cheap and also in case I kill a couple of them 😂. The soil has to be moist at all time and so far only 2 “died”-- one from mites and one from going dry, which is easy because there was so little soil. But those sprout out new leaves from just stems within a couple of days and continue to sprout more, albeit starting over again with tiny leaves. They are all water grown now. Would you suggest putting them in semi hydro (ie pumice)? They are not really sizing up. I gave them 1/4 suggested dose of hydroponic solutions.

[@onlyplants]

I have a feeling the media doesnt matter to much. But getting full sun is the key. Give them beating direct sun with no obstruction from all sides and they should grow well.

[@Planty-Mandy]

Gorgeous! How do they do indoors? Are they pretty comparable to Alocasia? I’ve never seen them in stores here in Canada but there are 2 on my importer’s list - Black Magic and Lemon Lime Gecko.

[@onlyplants]

They are not so hardy indoors im afraid. They love full sun - with open sky and direct light hitting them 8-10 hours a day. Alocasias however love the indoor shade 😀

[@AnLiLeung]

They often struggle indoors due to insufficient light! But I can imagine an indoor area with a clear roof letting direct sun through - the plants should do reasonably well in such conditions.

[@SailorCSH]

I’ve bought taro bulbs from grocery stores in Canada and after I rooted them and transferred them to soil, they seem to be growing well indoors.

[@roserozhasangma1264]

❤

[@LarryHatch]

Very nice but many of us have described over 200 ornamental cultivars for years now....our organization since 2006. This is a good introduction but plant books have many more and newer cultivars.

[@onlyplants]

I always admire groups that specialize in specific genus. We need more specializations for each type of plants

[@LeDeQua]

❤❤❤

[@onlyplants]

❤️

[@Lessthankira]

Hi. Did he say 100% rice husk for the soil? Or i misheard it. Pls answer anyone

[@onlyplants]

I think he did 😀 he was stating an example that it can be grown even in full husk. I might have seen examples in Thailand

[@Alex-kq3ud]

Next Cyrtosperma please😁👍🏻

[@onlyplants]

Wooh have to find a collector first 😀 the only collector I know is Mr Greg Hambali but his collection is still a secret.

[@Alex-kq3ud]

@@onlyplants anlileung has a few😂

[@Nikita-vx8om]

​@@onlyplantsyou can visit Mr. Suwidji Wongso's garden named "Hidden Paradise" in Surabaya. He collect many underrated aroid species like Bucephalandra, Cryptocoryne, Aridarum, Piptospatha & many more.

[@StanWatt.]

I have several colocasia's and they are FABulous. The C. escualenta known as edoes, from the Caribbean, are quite tasty. I have the 'Hawaiian' named ones, 'Hilo', 'Waikiki', 'Hawaiian Punch' etc., plus a few others. :)

[@onlyplants]

Cool! I can imagine they must be popular in the tropics there! They are actually far in between here in Indonesia

[@mspolkadotpink]

i repotted mine into an aroid forest mix, it’s dying - is it too dry?

[@onlyplants]

Its possible! It may also be getting too little light. Full sun and perpetually wet soil is the key. But if its not in full sun I dont recommend keeping it wet all the time.

[@mspolkadotpink]

my colocasia black magic has small leaves and skinny stem, and yellowing around the edges of the leaves. Any diagnosis? 😢

[@onlyplants]

Is it getting full sun? I have a feeling it might not be getting enough light but i might be wrong.

[@fainakub6092]

👍

[@onlyplants]

😀

[@SutraDalang]

Bayak koleksi pohon pohon keladi mas😂😂😂

[@onlyplants]

Hehe iyaa

[@-animeaddict-6115]

😁😁😁🌺🌺🌺

[@onlyplants]

❤️❤️

[@anthonyds1204]

substrat ?

[@onlyplants]

They can live in anything 😀 as long as they are sitting in a tray of water, perpetually wet. If you are growing it indoors without the full sun perhaps the potting mix and watering will have to be adjusted according to the environment

[@lkawaiteacher]

Beautiful plants. Too pretty to eat though.

[@onlyplants]

Thank you ❤️

[@krysdelight6282]

What is ig

[@onlyplants]

@anlileung

[@LarryHatch]

How to you not mention the pioneers Dr. Cho of Hawaii and Tony Avent and Brian Williams of the US who started the first ornamental hybrids 20 years ago?????

[@onlyplants]

Good to know! Thank you

[@rolfwelsch8570]

when there is only one species, how could it be hybrid?

[@onlyplants]

For example, all dogs came from one species in Egypt many generations ago. After finding mutations and through generations of selective breeding, different varieties are created by humans. These varieties can be cross-bred with another variety… and be called a hybrid. But you are right, there should be another word to call this interbreeding of same species…

[@roserozhasangma1264]

Don't say plants lover only please 🙏🙏

[@eolorvida]

Incorrect. There's a few varieties of Colocasia... not just the esculenta.

[@onlyplants]

I think he meant the particular ones bred for the variegation and colors 😀 thats in his collection

[@melindasvlog07]

❤❤❤

[@onlyplants]

❤️🐸