The Plont plant library
Arbi (Taro) vs Chinese Banyan (Ficus Bonsai)
Compare Colocasia esculenta with Ficus microcarpa. Both appear in the indoor category of Plont’s catalog. Use their recorded differences to prepare questions for your nursery.
Growing conditions side by side
Swipe across the table to compare both plants.
| Catalog field | Arbi (Taro) | Chinese Banyan (Ficus Bonsai) |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Colocasia esculenta | Ficus microcarpa |
| Hindi name (draft) | अरबी | चाइनीज़ बरगद |
| Other catalog names | taro, colocasia, eddoe, arvi | ficus ginseng, ficus bonsai, indian laurel |
| Light starting point | Partial sun (3–5 hours) | Bright indirect light |
| Approximate growing range | 15–36°C | 13–35°C |
| Catalog care estimate | Easy | Moderate |
What differs for your space?
Arbi (Taro) is listed for partial sun (3–5 hours), while Chinese Banyan (Ficus Bonsai) is listed for bright indirect light. Record how many hours of direct sun your intended spot receives and confirm the match locally.
Arbi (Taro) has a recorded range of 15–36°C; Chinese Banyan (Ficus Bonsai) is listed at 13–35°C. The recorded ranges overlap from 15 to 35°C. That overlap compares the draft entries; it is not proof that either plant will suit the spot.
Arbi (Taro) is marked easy, compared with moderate for Chinese Banyan (Ficus Bonsai). Treat that as a planning estimate, then ask which care tasks each plant needs in your conditions.
Make the next care decision at the pot.
A comparison cannot set a watering date. Check moisture first: pot size, growing mix and current weather change how quickly a container dries. Record what you notice and decide when to check again.
Read the RHS guide to watering containers for general container advice, or use Plont’s plant observation checklist. The RHS source supports this general advice; it does not verify the species-specific draft values above.
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