Please note that we only ship plants in pots up to 6" size.
Larger plants are available to purchase for instore pickup, or local delivery options only.

Xanthosoma Care:
(Zan-tho-soma)

Xanthosoma do best in a well lit, bright area, out of direct sunlight.  An hour or so of early morning, Eastern sun is ok and many like it.  While some larger varieties can be acclimated to more direct sun, it is something that you will want to do very slowly to prevent burning, stress and loss of leaves. 

For watering, Xanthosoma prefer and do best when they are kept evenly moist at all times.  Never allow them to fully dry out, as you will quickly see wilting, leaf browning and shriveling.  Once a leaf starts to droop, bend or brown, there is usually very little hope in saving it.  An evenly moist soil is best, and a planter with drainage is a great option so that excess water does not pool at the the bottom of the pot, causing root issues.  Check the soil every 3-4 days and water as needed.  If the top inch or so of the soil is dry, your Xanthosoma could most likely use a drink.  We find it best to check with your finger, as opposed to relying on a moisture meter.  They can often times be quite inaccurate.

While it is not completely necessary, you can use a general purpose, high quality fertilizer from Spring through Fall.  We recommend diluting the fertilizer to about 50% strength.  Fish Head Farms soil conditioner is a great option to use year round to provide essential nutrients and promote strong, healthy growth.

A loose, well draining soil or soilless mix is ideal.  A peat based mixture with lots of perlite, vermiculite or sand will do the trick.  For a pre-mixed formula, we find that a Cactus/Succulent blend is perfect! 

Xanthosoma do not need, or want, to be repotted very frequently.  We recommend doing so only ever 2 years, and only if they are noticeably pot bound.  Even then, you only want to move up 1 or 1.5 pot sizes to reduce stress.  This should be done in the Spring or early Summer months.  If you have just recently purchased your plant, do not repot it for at least 6 months.

The most common pest issues for Xanthosoma include Mealy Bugs and Red Spider Mites, however, Thrip and even Scale Bugs can cause issues.  It is always best practice to isolate any new plants you bring in to your home for a few weeks to watch for little pests.  For help and tips on prevention and treatment of pests, see our At Home Pest Recipes here!

If you have any more questions, or need further assistance, please feel free to give us a call or shoot us an email!