Colocasia 'Mojito' (Mojito Elephant Ear) care

Light

Colocasia 'Mojito' is what florists mean by "bright spot, no direct sun" — close enough to a south or east window to feel the brightness, with a sheer curtain or a few feet of distance keeping the sun off the leaves. Outdoors it thrives in full sun to part shade; in hot climates afternoon shade prevents scorch. Grown indoors, give it the brightest possible spot with bright, indirect light, easing it into any direct sun gradually so the variegated leaves don't burn. A phone lux-meter at the leaf surface should read 1,500-3,000 lux at noon.

Watering

Water colocasia 'mojito' keep soil consistently moist; often 2-3+ times per week in active growth. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. This is a bog-margin plant that loves water. Never let the soil dry out during the growing season; it can even sit in a few inches of standing water. Reduce watering in winter when growth slows, but keep the rootball from drying completely.

Soil and pot

Colocasia 'Mojito' grows best in rich, humusy, moisture-retentive mix. Use a fertile, organically rich soil amended with compost. It tolerates heavy, wet ground better than most plants but benefits from some drainage; a peat- or coir-based mix with added perlite works well in containers. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Colocasia 'Mojito' sits happiest at around 60% or higher humidity and 21-29 C (70-85 F). As a true tropical, it craves high humidity. Average indoor air causes leaf-edge browning and shriveling, so run a humidifier or group it with other plants. Outdoors in warm, humid summers it needs no extra help. If you keep the room above 21 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed colocasia 'mojito' sparingly. Heavy feeder during the growing season. Apply a balanced liquid houseplant or all-purpose fertiliser every 1-2 weeks (roughly every fourth watering) in spring and summer, tapering to every sixth watering in autumn and stopping over winter dormancy. Always water before feeding to avoid root burn. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on colocasia 'mojito' in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Leaf-edge browning and crisping — Usually low humidity or soil drying out. Raise humidity and keep the soil consistently moist; this is a water-loving bog plant.
• Spider mites — Colocasia are favoured hosts, especially when stressed by dry air or inconsistent watering. Wipe leaves, raise humidity, and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Yellowing lower leaves — Older leaves naturally fade and die back, but widespread yellowing can signal overwatering in cold soil or, conversely, drought stress. Check moisture and temperature.
• Stalling or dieback in cold — It struggles below about 10 C (50 F). In zones colder than 8, growth stops and the plant may go dormant; lift and store tubers frost-free over winter.
• Mealybugs, scale, and aphids — Sap-sucking pests can colonise stems and leaf undersides. Inspect regularly and treat early with horticultural soap or neem oil.

Propagation

Propagate by division. In early spring as new growth begins, lift the plant and separate offset cormels or tubers from the mother, making sure each piece has roots and at least one growing eye. Pot up in rich, moist soil and keep warm and humid until established. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Colocasia 'Mojito' is toxic to pets. The ASPCA individually lists Colocasia esculenta (Elephant Ears) as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses; 'Mojito' is a cultivar of this species, so the listing applies. The toxic principle is insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which cause oral irritation, intense burning and swelling of the mouth, tongue and lips, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if chewed. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Colocasia 'Mojito' deep-dive guides

Every aspect of colocasia 'mojito' care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Colocasia 'Mojito' watering schedule
• Colocasia 'Mojito' light requirements
• Best soil mix for colocasia 'mojito'
• Colocasia 'Mojito' fertilizing guide
• When to repot colocasia 'mojito'
• How to propagate colocasia 'mojito'
• Colocasia 'Mojito' growth rate & size
• Colocasia 'Mojito' cold hardiness
• Colocasia 'Mojito' temperature & humidity
• Is colocasia 'mojito' toxic to cats & dogs?

Related guides

Colocasia 'Mojito' is also known as Mojito Elephant Ear, Variegated Elephant Ear, Mojito Taro, and Elephant Ears.

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• All 389 plant care guides in the Growli library