Colocasia ‘Hawaiian Punch’

If you love plants that turn heads, Colocasia ‘Hawaiian Punch’ will do exactly that. With bright red stems that look almost electric against its lush green leaves, this variety is like a burst of tropical energy in any garden or indoor space. Each leaf sits proudly on its crimson petiole, and when sunlight hits just right, the contrast between the green and red almost glows — making it one of the most eye-catching Colocasias around.

Where It Comes From

Colocasias are native to Southeast Asia and India, but the ‘Hawaiian Punch’ cultivar was developed and popularized in Hawaii, where the tropical climate mimics the conditions Colocasias love: warm air, rich soil, and plenty of moisture. In the wild, they grow in low-lying, damp areas or along rivers — which tells you everything you need to know about what they enjoy at home.

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What Makes ‘Hawaiian Punch’ Special

Unlike other Colocasias that are admired mainly for their leaf patterns or colors, this one stands out for its brilliant red stems that run all the way into the veins of the leaves. It stays more compact than some of the larger varieties like Black Magic, making it perfect for pots, water features, or smaller gardens. The overall look is clean, vibrant, and tropical — like a burst of color in every direction.

Is It Pet and Reptile Safe?

Like all Colocasias, ‘Hawaiian Punch’ is not safe for pets or humans to eat. The leaves and stems contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth and digestive system if chewed.

However, it is considered reptile-safe for display and humidity control. Many reptile and amphibian keepers use Colocasia species in their tropical enclosures for their lush coverage and ability to handle damp soil. Just make sure your reptile doesn’t dig the plant up or sit directly under strong heat bulbs, as Colocasia leaves can scorch easily.

Indoor or Outdoor Plant?

‘Hawaiian Punch’ grows happily both indoors and outdoors, depending on your setup and climate:

• Outdoors: Loves a warm, shaded garden or pondside area. It can be grown directly in soil that stays constantly damp, or even with its pot placed in a shallow water tray.

• Indoors: It brings a vivid pop of color to bright indoor spaces. Just be sure to keep the soil evenly moist and give it good light. A bathroom or sunroom with filtered light works beautifully.

Sunlight Requirements

Colocasia ‘Hawaiian Punch’ prefers bright filtered light or partial shade. Outdoors, a bit of gentle morning sun will deepen the color of the stems, but too much direct afternoon sunlight can burn the leaves.

Indoors, it thrives near a window with bright indirect light — avoid harsh sunlight through glass.

If your plant’s stems start to lose their bright red color or the leaves look pale, it’s often a sign it needs a bit more light.

Watering & Moisture

This variety is happiest in consistently moist soil — just like its cousins White Lava and Black Magic. You can grow it two ways, depending on how much space and moisture you can offer:

1. Semi-aquatic style:

   
   

   You can place it near a pond, water feature, or even keep the pot sitting in a shallow tray of water. It thrives with “wet feet,” as long as the crown (where the stems meet) stays slightly above the water level.

2. As a houseplant:

   
   

   Indoors, keep the soil consistently damp but never soggy. Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel just barely dry. It’s not a fan of drying out completely — even a few dry days can lead to droopy leaves.

💧 Tip: If your air is dry or you can’t water as often, place the pot on a tray filled with water and pebbles. It helps raise humidity around the plant and maintains a moisture buffer for the roots.

Repotting

‘Hawaiian Punch’ grows from a corm, a bulb-like base that slowly multiplies over time. When the plant becomes crowded or roots start pushing up against the pot, it’s time to repot — ideally in spring or early summer.

Use a rich, moisture-holding soil mix, such as:

• Cocopeat or peat moss for moisture retention

• Compost or worm castings for nutrients

• Perlite or aquatic soil for structure and aeration

Choose a pot with drainage holes (even if you sit it in a water tray), and water well after repotting. New pups may emerge within weeks once the roots settle in.

Fertilising

Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2–3 weeks during the growing season. Colocasias are heavy feeders, especially when growing in water or very moist soil. A nitrogen-rich fertiliser will help support lush, green leaf growth, while a balanced mix will keep the red stems vivid.

Sun, Shade, and Temperature Tips

• Temperature: Loves warmth — ideally above 18°C. It can tolerate cooler weather for short periods, but not frost.

• Sunlight: Bright, indirect light or partial shade. Too much direct sun = leaf burn. Too dark = dull color.

• Humidity: The higher, the better. It’s a tropical plant at heart.

Final Thoughts

Colocasia ‘Hawaiian Punch’ is a tropical gem — bold, colorful, and surprisingly easy to grow once you understand its love for warmth and moisture. Whether it’s in your garden beside a pond, brightening a patio, or adding life to your indoor jungle, this variety brings an instant splash of exotic color.

Keep it moist, warm, and shaded, and your ‘Hawaiian Punch’ will reward you with glowing red stems and fresh green leaves all season long.