Brighter Blooms Colocasia ‘Hilo Beauty’ House & Patio

A Lush, Tropical Beauty with Embellished Leaves

Colocasia esculenta, or ‘Hilo Beauty,’ is a Colocasia named after the Hilo island of Hawaii. This powerfully striking plant is rare and hard to find in most nurseries, making it a statement piece no matter where you put it.

The Hilo Beauty, a close relative of the Alocasia, is immediately recognizable for its large, impressive foliage. The green, heart-shaped leaves are embellished with an irregularly shaped speckled or camouflage pattern, paired with dark bluish-black stems. Each leaf is unique, and no two are the same. This family of plants is often called Elephant Ears, since its foliage resemble the large ears of an elephant!

A top choice for containers, the Hilo Beauty does well in any area with full, indirect sunlight and ample moisture. They’re an attractive, ornamental addition to any area in your home that needs a decorative touch.

Planting & Care

Location: For best results, the Hilo Beauty prefers a nice sunny spot near a south facing window. The Hilo Beauty also does not do well in the cold, so keep away from any location that is in danger of getting frost.

1. Planting: The Colocasia likes bright light, but its leaves will burn in direct sun. For best results, place it in a spot with bright, indirect light—ideally near, but not directly in front of, a sunny window.

You won’t need to re-pot your Colocasia right away. Only re-pot when it outgrows its shipped container and select a pot that’s about twice the width of the original container. When repotting, make sure to use an organic soil mix in a pot that has adequate drainage.

2. Watering: The Colocasia likes moist, well-draining soil. Be sure to water well when the soil is dry. Use your finger to check the soil’s moisture level, about 2 or 3 inches down.

Water your plant when there are a full two inches of dryness from the top of the soil. You can also mist your Colocasia with a spray bottle twice or three times weekly, to mimic a humid, tropical environment.

3. Pruning: Remove dead or damaged foliage to encourage healthy growth.