How much sun does Taro need?

Taro grows best in part sun conditions.

Is Taro toxic to dogs?

Yes. Taro is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Taro toxic to cats?

Yes. Taro is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Taro HOA-friendly?

Taro takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Taro

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Colocasia esculenta

Last reviewed: October 2026

Taro is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Light

part sun

Water

high

Size

24"–48" H × 24"–48" W

Bloom

N/A

Before you buy

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Picture natives in your own yard

Wondering what could grow where Taro is now? Upload a photo of the spot and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it replanted with natives for your region.

Try it with your yard

Colocasia esculenta produces large, heart-shaped leaves that create a bold tropical appearance in the garden. This moisture-loving perennial thrives in partial sun and requires consistent watering to maintain its lush foliage. The plant forms substantial clumps that can serve as dramatic focal points in landscape beds.

In an HOA neighborhood

Taro takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Very tropical appearance conflicts with traditional Southern landscapes
Large leaves can look messy when damaged
Not native and may be viewed as exotic or inappropriate

Wildlife value

This plant provides minimal wildlife value as it rarely flowers in cultivation and offers limited resources for native pollinators. The large leaves may provide shelter for small wildlife but do not support local ecosystem food webs.

Common questions

How much sun does Taro need?: Taro grows best in part sun conditions.
Is Taro toxic to dogs?: Yes. Taro is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Taro toxic to cats?: Yes. Taro is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Taro HOA-friendly?: Taro takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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