Colocasia heterochromea - 14cm / 1.3L / Small
$40.00Colocasia heterochromea is a rare and visually striking species of elephant ear, known for its bold two-toned foliage and compact size. Unlike more common Colocasia types with plain green leaves, heterochromea features contrasting zones of colour—typically deep olive or grey-green blades with purple-brown undersides and sometimes a flush of metallic or silver tones near the veins. This eye-catching variegation gives it a moody, designer feel perfect for statement containers or shaded garden beds.
Native to Southeast Asia, this species stays smaller than other Colocasia, usually reaching around 40–60cm in height, and has a more clumping than spreading habit. Its striking foliage and tidy form make it a top choice for collectors and tropical-style planting.
Toxic if ingested. Irritating sap.
Comprehensive Care Instructions for Colocasia heterochromea
Lighting Requirements
Indoors: Prefers bright, indirect light. Too much direct sun can scorch the leaves, but too little may reduce contrast and colour intensity.
Outdoors: Best in part shade or filtered light. Avoid intense midday sun, especially in summer.
Watering Regimen
During Active Growth (Spring to Autumn):
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Colocasia likes damp conditions but dislikes sitting in stagnant water unless grown in a bog setting.
Dormancy (Winter or Cold Periods):
Reduce watering and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Some dieback may occur.
Temperature & Humidity
Thrives in warm, humid conditions between 20°C–30°C.
Protect from temperatures below 12°C. Increase humidity indoors with misting or a pebble tray if air is dry.
Fertilizing
Feed every 2–3 weeks during the growing season with a diluted, high-nitrogen liquid fertiliser to support lush foliage. Stop feeding during dormancy.
Dormancy & Overwintering
In cooler regions, Colocasia heterochromea may die back in winter. This is normal dormancy.
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Allow leaves to naturally yellow and fade.
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Reduce watering.
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If growing outdoors in pots, move to a sheltered, frost-free spot.
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In colder zones, tubers can be lifted, dried, and stored like other colocasia.
Soil & Repotting
Use a rich, moisture-retentive but free-draining soil mix with compost or coco fibre. Repot annually in spring or when growth resumes after dormancy.
Pests & Troubleshooting
Watch for aphids, spider mites or fungus gnats, especially in warm indoor conditions.
Yellowing leaves may indicate overwatering, low humidity, or nutrient deficiency. Ensure good drainage and adequate warmth.
Important Note: Ideal for Containers
Because of its compact growth and sculptural foliage, Colocasia heterochromea is perfect for pots on decks, patios or indoor display—especially when contrasted against green or black-leaved companions.
Plant Size Guide
The plant in the photos is an example and an approximate guide only however we try to show an average sized example. Sizes, flowering state and colours change throughout the seasons and variation will occur. In summer & autumn, plants are often larger or the same size as than the example picture but around winter and spring, they can be a little smaller but still at a size similar to the example. We aim to update the pictures to reflect significant differences.
Plant Heights - because the plant's foliage must fit inside our Plant Cartons, the actual height of a plant's central trunk (meristem) will be shorter than the box it fits in.
Small Plants - 14cm wide nursery pot - 1 Litre volume - Plants fit in a 50cm tall box.
Medium Plants - 17cm wide pots either 2L hanging pot or 2.5L nursery pot - Plants fit in a 75cm tall box.
Large Plants - 25cm wide pot, 10L volume. Plants fit in a 100cm tall box.
XL Plants - Plants over 100cm tall in pot sizes specified, 25cm/10L or greater and are hand delivered within Auckland/Northland only.
Dispatch Times
Plant courier orders are processed Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.
North Island orders are targeted overnight delivery, South Island orders are sent on a 2-day target but these are not a guaranteed delivery timeframe.
Add 1 extra day after a public holiday as well as for rural addresses or remote towns.
Monday - We send orders placed on previous Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
Tuesday - We send Weekend orders from previous Saturday & Sunday.
Wednesday - We send orders placed from Monday & Tuesday.
XL Plants are delivered only within urban Auckland & Whangarei and this service is for non-urgent orders. This excludes satellite destinations such as Beachlands, Pukekohe, Piha, Helensville etc and Whangarei Heads. We may deliver at any time Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Thursday in Auckland and you need to have a sheltered accessible position for us to deliver to.
Plants in Transit
Each Small, Medium & Large plant is individually contained within its own protective cardboard Plant Carton which may be joined to other cartons in your order.
Plants typically take just a day or two to arrive, however they are usually fine in their cartons for 1-2 weeks, and many can go longer, so a few extra days are not usually cause for concern.
Whether it takes 1 or 7 days, let your plant recover from its journey by placing in gentle light and adding a little water and it will be back to its best within a couple of days. Let us know if there are any major issues via the contact page.
