For the love of Colocasias: Colocasia ‘White Lava’

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If you’ve ever wanted a plant that brings a touch of the tropics straight into your home or garden, Colocasia ‘White Lava’ is it. With its large glossy green leaves brushed with creamy white veins and bold purple stems, this plant is pure drama in leaf form. As it matures, the white streaks become even more pronounced, giving it that glowing “lava” effect that makes the name so fitting.

Where It Comes From

Colocasias, also known as elephant ears, are native to Southeast Asia and India, where they thrive in warm, humid environments near rivers and marshy areas. In nature, they grow with their roots often sitting in moist or even shallowly flooded soil — which gives us a clue about what they like best at home.

Is It Pet and Reptile Safe?

Unfortunately, like most Colocasias, ‘White Lava’ is not pet-safe. It contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation if chewed or ingested by cats, dogs, or other mammals.

However, it is generally considered reptile-safe when used in enclosed habitats, as reptiles don’t chew or consume the leaves. Many keepers successfully use Colocasia in bioactive or tropical enclosures for species like geckos, frogs, and anoles — it adds humidity, lush cover, and that stunning rainforest look.

Indoor or Outdoor Plant?

The Colocasia ‘White Lava’ is surprisingly versatile. It can be grown both indoors and outdoors, as long as its moisture and light needs are met.

• Outdoors: It loves warm, humid conditions and thrives near ponds, pools, or shaded garden beds where the soil stays moist.

• Indoors: It can do beautifully in bright, indirect light. You just need to make sure it never dries out completely.

Sunlight Requirements

Colocasias enjoy bright filtered light or partial shade. Outdoors, a bit of morning sun is perfect, but harsh afternoon sun can scorch those large leaves. Indoors, place it near a window with good natural light, but avoid direct sun rays through glass — the leaves can burn easily.

Watering & Moisture

Colocasias are moisture lovers. You can grow ‘White Lava’ in two main ways depending on your setup:

1. As a semi-aquatic plant:

   If you love that lush tropical vibe, you can let it sit in permanently moist soil or even place the pot in a shallow water tray. The roots enjoy consistent moisture — just make sure the crown of the plant (where the stems emerge) stays above water to prevent rot.

2. As a houseplant:

   If you’re keeping it indoors, you can treat it like a regular tropical plant. Water once or twice a week, depending on how quickly the soil dries out. Aim to keep the soil evenly damp but not soggy.

Tip: If your home is dry or you struggle to keep the soil evenly moist, place your Colocasia pot on a tray filled with water and pebbles. This helps boost humidity and gives the plant a consistent source of moisture without waterlogging the roots.

Repotting

Colocasias grow fast during the warm season, so it’s best to repot every year or two, ideally in spring. Choose a pot that’s slightly larger than the previous one, with good drainage holes.

Use a rich, moisture-retaining soil mix — something with cocopeat, compost, and a bit of perlite or aquatic soil works wonderfully.

When repotting, check the corm (the bulb-like base) for any rot or softness and trim off unhealthy roots. After repotting, water thoroughly and keep it in a warm, humid spot while it settles in.

Final Thoughts

Colocasia ‘White Lava’ is a real statement plant — bold, tropical, and surprisingly easy to care for once you understand its love for moisture and warmth. Whether it’s sitting proudly beside your pond, brightening up a shaded patio, or adding lush jungle energy indoors, this plant will reward you with dramatic foliage that only gets better with time.

Just remember: keep it moist, keep it warm, and it’ll be one of the stars of your collection