Although not absolutely necessary, you may also want to apply a slow-release fertilizer to the soil periodically. You can save money simply by storing elephant ear bulbs or plants for the winter. Most of these plants prefer rich, moist soil and can be grown in full sun, but they generally prefer partial shade. Elephant ears are heavy feeders. 'Illustris' has black leaves with green edging and veining. These plants come in a variety of colors and sizes. Alocasia, genus of broad-leaved perennials in tropical & subtropical Asia to Eastern Australia; Caladium, ornamental plants with arrowhead-shaped leaves originally from South America; Colocasia (taro), a genus of flowering plants native to tropical Polynesia and southeastern Asia 'Imperial Taro' Elephant Ear produces unusual, black-purple leaves patterned with bright-green veins. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Elephant ears are an exciting, affordable way to create privacy in the garden and on the patio. Zones 8-9: The elephant ear will likely die back each winter, but the tuber … Be aware that all parts of elephant ear plants can upset the stomach if ingested without being properly cooked first. According to Wilfred Lee ("Ethnobotanical Leaflets," Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 1999), "Taro constituted the staff of life for the Hawaiians when Captain Cook arrived in the islands in 1778. There are dozens of different types of elephant ear plant, but here are 26 of the most popular varieties. Several genera in the family Araceae (Arums) . It likes to be in a climate similar to its native Southeast Asia: a temperature between 65 and 75 F and above-average humidity is ideal. A number of cultivars also exist, including types with dark leaves (for example, C. esculenta 'Black Magic'), placing them among the so-called "black plants.". Taxonomy and Botany . The plants can grow eight feet tall in the tropics but only about two to three feet elsewhere, depending on growing conditions. Prefers moist, loose soils and is an ideal choice for containers. The elephant ear plant (Colocasia) provides a bold tropical effect in nearly any landscape setting. Elephant ears cannot survive winter outdoors. In fact, they are considered invasive there. Elephant ear plants can be used as background plants, ground covers, or edging, especially around ponds or along walkways or patio enclosures. The elephant ear plant (Colocasia) provides a bold tropical effect in nearly any landscape setting. Plants can grow two to six feet tall and four feet … Several of these (in addition to 'Black Magic') have leaves with quite a bit of black color in them; others have yellow or chartreuse: The corm, or root, of elephant ear is commonly known as "taro" or "coco yam," a common food source in Hawaii and other tropical regions. Just dig up the corms and keep them in a cool–but not freezing–basement or garage as you would store canna bulbs, dahlia tubers, etc. Keep reading to learn more about how to take care of an elephant ear plant. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. There are many Elephant Ear benefits and uses. In fact, elephant ears are an important food source in warm climates around the world. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Amazon Elephant's Ear Plant Profile (African Mask), How to Take Care of Outdoor Plants in Winter, Tropicanna Canna Offers Fast Growth Rate, Colorful Leaves, 9 Great Foliage Plants for Container Gardens, 3 Ways to Keep Tropical Plants All Winter, Five Houseplants That Will Hurt Your Pets. apart (45-60 cm), tall Elephant Ear … Fertilize your elephant ear plant with a liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Elephant's ears offer some of the boldest foliage you could ever want in a garden. While these leaves can reach three feet long and two feet wide in the tropics, in colder climates they will remain smaller (but still impressive). Someone might wonder What is Elephant Ear or how it is useful? Fertilize them with a fertilizer high in nitrogen. These tropical foliage plants are tender but can be overwintered in cold climates. Replant them in spring when the danger of frost has passed. It is best to keep your elephant ear plant in an easy to relocate planter or pot. Elephant Ear Size. Elephant ear (taro plant) tubers eventually work their way upward through the soil, so every few years, re-bury your elephant ears at least 6" deep to ensure winter hardiness. A number of cultivars also exist, including types with dark leaves (for example, C. esculenta 'Black Magic'), placing them among the so-called "black plants." deep (12 cm). Different shades of green and yellow appear through the leaves when sun light hits the leaves which is an attractive sight. Plant taxonomy classifies the most widely known elephant ear plants, or "taro," as Colocasia esculenta.But plants of the Alocasia genus and of the Xanthosoma genus can go by the same common name as well. Their thirst for water makes elephant ears effective, not only in soggy areas of the landscape but also near water features. The soil for elephant ear should be moist, rich in organic matter, with 5.5-7.0 pH. While they are in storage for the winter, make sure the corms neither rot nor totally dry out. Read on to learn more about how to overwinter elephant ear bulbs and plants. Jul 19, 2014 - Explore * Black/ Panameña Sista *'s board "Elephant Ear Plant", followed by 1250 people on Pinterest. Some species are widely cultivated and naturalized in other tropical and subtropical regions. But plants of the Alocasia genus and of the Xanthosoma genus can go by the same common name as well. Take advantage of their large attractive foliage and grow them among your other plants to provide texture in a planting bed. Growing elephant ear plants is easy. Elephant Ears are large attractive plants that command attention in your outdoor garden or can be used in your indoor space for cleaning your air. Plant your Elephant Ear tubers 5 in. At that time an estimated three hundred thousand people in the islands lived chiefly on poi (a fermented or unfermented taro paste), sweet potato, fish, seaweed, and a few green vegetables and fruits.". There is a slight difference in water requirements within elephant ear types. Container plants can either be moved indoors or overwintered in a basement or protected porch. This makes them a good choice for wet areas where gardeners usually have trouble finding suitable plants. The plant's leaves and stems contain oxalic acid, which can cause serious illness in children or pets. One option is to grow them in containers as a complement to smaller plants for water gardens. Small and medium sized Elephant Ears should be spaced 18-24 in. The leaves are large to very large, 20–150 cm (7.9–59.1 in) long, with a sagittateshape. Elephant ear plants are named after their super-sized heart-shaped (or elephant ear-shaped) leaves. Florida Hill Nursery is your online tropical internet source for Elephant ear plants. Depending on when and where they are planted, it may take more than a month before you see any sign of growth. But even if we know the uses of the plant, one should also know which part of the plant could be used. The plant reproduces mostly by means of rhizomes (tubers, corms), but it also produces "clusters of two to five fragrant inflorescences in the leaf axils". Sign up for our newsletter. Get it as soon as Mon, Nov 16. Keep reading to learn more about how to take care of an elephant ear plant. Being a tropical plant, Amazon elephant's ear will go dormant or die if exposed to cold. Generally, space the bulbs apart to match the expected height; for example, a 6' tall elephant ear usually has a 6' wide spread. A big, bold, textural and architectural foliage plant, Colocasia gigantea 'Thailand Giant' (Giant Elephant Ear) is a tuberous, frost-tender perennial boasting huge, heart-shaped, blue-green leaves, up to 4-6 ft. long (120-180 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm). To grow these stunning plants, plant the bulbs in the early spring with the right soil conditions. They are herbaceous perennial plants with a large corm on or just below the ground surface. Water Requirements. Elephant Ears needs room to grow.  'Yellow Splash' has variegated leaves of yellow and green (similar to theÂ. Elephant ear plants grow from a swollen stem similar to a bulb but known as a corm. Before planting, improve the soil with compost or topsoil to add nutrients and improve the soil's water-holding capacity. Plant bulbs with the crown just above the soil line Rich, organic soil will help your elephant ears grow. $8.99 $ 8. According to the University of Florida, it grows in USDA hardiness zones 8b through 11 1. Elephant's Ear is a perennial tropical summer ornamental plant that does well in outdoor landscapes or indoor container gardens. Freezing temperatures kill foliage and damage tubers. A number of cultivars of elephant ears have made a name for themselves by virtue of the striking colors of their foliage. Elephant ear tubers can be very slow to sprout. We have assembled a wide variety of Elephant ear plants, Xanthosomas, Caladiums, Alocasias, and Colocasias from around the world for you to choose from. The spot should offer shelter from the wind, which could rip the plant's enormous leaves in a strong gust. There are a number of uses for elephant ears in the garden. Part of Elephant Ear Used. Place them in a cool, dark area such as a basement or crawlspace. Harden off elephant ear plants for about a week prior to placing them outdoors. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Planting distance varies with the size of your Elephant Ear plants. ), which grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11 with some variation within species, depends on your climate.In frost-free tropical and sub-tropical areas, these lush foliage plants grow year-round with minimal winter care. Elephant ear may refer to: . Most of these herbaceous species in the arum or aroid family (Araceae) that are offered as ornamentals belong to the genera Colocasia, Alocasia, and Xanthosoma, although there are others that have similar appearance and growth habits. Well, you are at the right place to know the answer. The green plant has heart-shaped leaves with white veins. How to Plant Elephant Ear Tubers: Plant elephant ear bulbs outside after all danger of frost has passed and daytime temperatures remain above 70 degrees.Elephant Ears are tropical plants and cannot tolerate any frost.They only emerge when the soil is warm. How an Elephant Ear Plant will Respond: Zones 1-7: Winters may be too cold for an outdoor elephant ear plant. Also, the sap can be a skin irritant. Plant the tubers about 2 to 3 inches deep, blunt end down. The elephant's ear is a hybrid that has become a fairly popular ornamental house plant, and is one of the easiest to find and buy from the Alocasia genus. Elephant ear plants are a fun and dramatic feature to add to your garden, but just because these beautiful plants are not cold hardy does not mean you can’t keep elephant ear bulbs from year to year. During dry spells, you may want to water plants regularly, especially those growing in containers. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. See more ideas about elephant ear plant, elephant ears, plants. The average plant height is 2 to 10 feet with a spread of 1 to 10 feet. They are borne atop sturdy, succulent leaf stalks. Planting elephant ear bulbs indoors approximately eight weeks prior to the last frost date is also acceptable. 99. Cut the foliage back to about a couple of inches after the first frost in your area and then carefully dig up the plants. Like other members of the family, the plant contains an irritant which causes intense discomfort t… 'Jet Black Wonder' has black leaves with striking white veining. The mammoth leaves can be more than 3 feet long on plants that can grow higher than 6 feet tall. Elephant Ear Plant: Colocasia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to southeastern Asia and the Indian subcontinent. They are herbaceous perennials in warm climates. Elephant ears are tropical foliage plants with large dark green leaves. Allow the tubers to dry out for about a day or two and then store them in peat moss or shavings. In fact, these plants are commonly grown for their large, tropical-looking foliage, which is reminiscent of elephant ears. In climates with frost, an elephant ear plant dies back each year. Grow elephant ears in slightly acidic soil in partial shade. As a wetland plant in the wild, elephant ear plants like a lot of water. Some of them are small, and some grow to be gigantic elephant ear plants if they’re given optimal growing conditions. In fact, these plants are commonly grown for their large, tropical-looking foliage, which is reminiscent of elephant ears. ; Select a location in full sun or part sun with a good, rich, moist, organic soil. Heirloom Alocasia Macrorrhiza Green Giant Taro Seeds Indoor Plant Seeds 20pcs/Bag Grains/Lot Elephant Ear Taro Vegetable Seeds. Where elephant ears remain in the ground over winter, they will be quite late to re-emerge in late spring or early summer, unless covered with 3-6" of mulch in early fall. Since you’re growing them indoors, it’s better to wait and let the soil dry out a bit before watering again. Plant taxonomy classifies the most widely known elephant ear plants, or "taro," as Colocasia esculenta. The tubers can be placed directly outdoors once the threat of frost or freezing temperatures have ceased in your area. The ear of an elephant; Plants. Plant elephant ears in rich, well drained soil. 'Maui Gold' has golden-chartreuse leaves. The elephant's-ear plant gets its name from the leaves, which are shaped like a large ear or shield. Please look around and make yourself at home. Elephant ears belong to two species of plants: Colocasia and Alocasia. Once established, elephant ears require little attention. Elephant ear corms grow over time, with the original corm doubling or tripling in size. Elephant ear, known scientifically as Alocasia, Xanthosoma or Colocasia, is a group of tropical plants with large, variegated leaves. When kept indoors with proper care you can expect your plant to reach a maximum of 6 foot or more in length.Mature Elephant Ear plants can grow up to 8 foot tall, similarly this is around the same size of actual African Elephant Ears of 6 feet.. Light Requirements Philodendron: Elephant ear plants which belong to the genus Philodendron are very popular as houseplants. However, cooking renders the toxins harmless and many cultures have safely eaten them for years (specifically taro root, or Colocasia esculenta ). The Elephant Ear (Colocasia) is a tropical plant that grows up to 9 feet (2.7 m) tall and sprouts large, arrow-shaped leaves that resemble the ears on an elephant. 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