Jacob J. Wright became a full-time writer in 2008, with articles appearing on various websites. ", bear variously colored large leaves, but the overall key to using companion plants around elephant ears is contrast in color and leaf textures according to "The Exotic Garden.". long (37 cm). The leaves of caladiums are somewhat heart shaped, much like an elephant ear and vibrantly colored. The perfect selection for the back of a garden bed, Black Sapphire Gecko stands tall above most of the other elephant ears in the series, with amazing, black, satin leaves that seem to change their look, depending on the way the light … Juxtapose the... Coleus. Make sure they stay well-watered during dry spells. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Elephant ears are tropical plants that do best in circumstances that mimic their native habitat. When kept indoors with proper care you can expect your plant to reach a maximum of 6 foot or more in length. The sap from the plant can also be a skin irritant. 13. are planted to embellish and complement the flower colors of plants in summer annual beds and containers. The roots (known as taro root) and the leaves are both edible. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Plants in the aroid family with large shield-like leaves are often dubbed "elephant ears." Again, visual contrast among leaves adds the design interest. ‘Black Magic’: This was the first black cultivar with dusty purple-black leaves. I’ve yet to meet an elephant ear that didn’t grow well in containers. As the old leaves die, remove them to keep the plant looking vibrant. The Black Magic Elephant Ear prefers moist soil. Alocasia amazonica is a hybrid variety and almost looks the same as this plant. Plant taxonomy classifies the most widely known elephant ear, also called taro, as Colocasia esculenta. are fast-growing herbaceous foliage plants with leaves that can range in color from... Begonias. The common variety of elephant ear, Colocasia esculenta, grows from tuberous roots that are easy to propagate by division. Primarily grown for its spectacular foliage, Colocasia esculenta 'Diamond Head' (Taro) is a tuberous, frost-tender perennial with long-stalked, thick and glossy, heart-shaped, chocolate, ruffled leaves, up to 15 in. If you choose to go this route, make sure that your garden is warm enough but that it also has some partial shade for Black Elephant Ears. Prepare the bed for elephant ears by … Type Plant Height Plant Spread Winter Hardy Zones Container Size Elephant Ear 48-60 in. The dramatic coloring makes it suitable as a companion plant for plants with lighter foliage or David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. Companion Plants Cacti & Succulents The Seed Exchange. Once they sprout, elephant ears require little tending, other than regular feeding with a fertilizer high in nitrogen. Elephant ear is the common name is used for several species in three plant genera—Colocasia, Alocasis, and Xanthosoma. There is a wide variety of leaf sizes, color, and variegation among species. This makes them a good choice for wet areas where gardeners usually have trouble finding suitable plants. Care for them properly with frequent watering and fertilizing to watch them flourish. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, 3–8 feet tall, similar spread; smaller in colder climates. These plants come in a variety of colors and sizes. Type Plant Height Plant Spread Winter Hardy Zones Container Size Elephant Ear 36-60 in. These plants are sometimes propagated by collecting and planting seeds from the flowers, though this is time-consuming and difficult. In colder zones, they will perish unless the tubers are dug up and stored for the winter. 36-60 in. The plant has arrow-shaped, deeply lobed leaves that extend 12 to 16 inches. For example, an elephant ear leaf that is specked with white and pink will look good near a coleus with solid purple or light green leaves. Very similar shield-shaped leaves to A. cupreaand A. clypeolata, but purple-black often with a metallic sheen and on the same plane as the petioles and aiming up on adult plants. Alocasis and Xanthosoma species of elephant ear grow from hard corm-like roots that can't be divided. While these leaves can reach 3 feet long and 2 feet wide in the tropics, in colder climates they will remain smaller (but still impressive). In some climates—and when growing in containers—this means watering daily. Human and Experimental Toxicology, 30,10,1720-3, 2011, doi:10.1177/0960327110393760. They will survive nicely even if covered by as much as 6 inches of standing water. Use ever-blooming begonias to echo a color in the elephant ear leaves, such as using a pink or red begonia around elephant ear leaves with speckles or veins of red and pink. Toxicities of Raw Alocasia Odora. The plant's leaves and stems contain oxalic acid, which can cause serious illness in children or pets. The dainty foliage of ferns visually contrast the large, bold-sized leaves of elephant ears well. In colder climates, you can dig up the corms before first frost and keep them in a cool (but not freezing) basement or garage, similar to the way canna bulbs and dahlia tubers are overwintered. Juxtapose the foliage to amplify their differences. Huge elephant ear leaves in striking dusty purple-black are big attention getters. Use the largest pots that are practical, both to keep in scale with the huge leaves and because large-volume containers are easier to keep moist. This elephant ear likes moist soils and is very happy near ponds or water features. They take well to growing in pots, provided you follow a few guidelines. From Kentucky born tropical plant breeder Brian Williams of Brian’s Botanicals, we bring you this new stunning, black leaved elephant ear. In fact, elephant ears are an important food source in warm climates around the world. Preparing and storing elephant ears bulbs for winter, in the basement, in a cold climate. The plant comes in many color varieties from white through to pink and red and it makes a fabulous companion plant for hosta. In that, Alocasia is most preferred as a houseplant and colocasia is grown outdoors in gardens. Some varieties are well suited for planting in large containers. 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. The natural indoor plant air cleaner. Add a balanced, slow release fertilizer when planting, in early spring, and late summer for best results. Elephant ears' species name, esculentia, is the same term that gives us the word "esculent," meaning edible. Elephant ears are sometimes grown in large containers as patio plants, but it is important to use a potting mix with a lot of organic matter that holds moisture. A staple of the tropical garden that can be managed in containers for colder climates. The aptly named elephant ears plant hits its full potential in the ground outside, but it can also be grown as a potted houseplant. Elephant ear plants, or Colocasia, are tropical plants grown from tubers or from rooted plants.Elephant ears have very large heart-shaped leaves borne on 2-3 foot (.6-.9 m.) petiole or leaf stalks. While they are in storage, make sure the corms neither rot nor totally dry out. Elephant ears are hardy in zones 8-10. To have a detailed look on types of Elephant Ear plants, click here May 27, 2013 - Explore Marcella Smith's board "elephant ear container " on Pinterest. Also, consider using contrasting foliage colors of ferns with elephant ears; dark leaf elephant ears surrounded by chartreuse or light green fern fronds create heightened contrast. Replant them in spring when the danger of frost has passed. Read our, The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Looking for some interior plants, if you have any please let me know. The most commonly grown plant Colocasia esculenta, also known as taro. Space plants well apart—2 feet for smaller cultivars, 4 feet for larger varieties. Coleus (Solenostemon spp.) Some shade is recommended in zone 10. Elephant ears (Colocasia and Alocasia) are tropical plants grown for their stunning, often enormous leaves, which can be lime green, variegated or nearly black.These summer-loving plants grow from a bulb that should be planted in the spring. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, feuille de caladium image by Unclesam from, Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Designing with Summer-Flowering Bulbs, Plants in the aroid family with large shield-like leaves are often dubbed "elephant ears. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Amazon Elephant's Ear Plant Profile (African Mask), Five Houseplants That Will Hurt Your Pets, Tips for Storing Tender Bulbs for the Winter. Deep green in spring and summer, the large leaves turn bronze-red in fall and winter, providing year round interest. He has worked professionally at gardens in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. To grow these stunning plants, plant the bulbs in the early spring with the right soil conditions. Raw leaves contain needle-like calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the skin, including the mouth and throat if they are consumed. Pets that chew on the leaves may show excessive salivation and mouth irritation. 36-48 in. Elephant's ear gives a bold tropical effect to the landscape with its unusually large, shield-like, fleshy green leaves. For example, if one elephant ear plant produces solid-colored green leaves, consider intermingling it with another elephant ear that grows dark purple leaves or one that is speckled and striped. Very easy method that always works. Pairing coleus with caladiums is particularly enjoyable as you can mimic or echo the colors in the caladium leaves in those of the coleus. Play with different leaf colors and patterns among elephant ear plants, regardless of their botanical identity. There are a number of uses for elephant ears in the garden. Coleus (Solenostemon spp.) In warm zones (8 and above) the root can be left in the ground as a perennial, while in colder zones the plants are either treated as annuals, discarded at the end of the season, or dug up and stored indoors for planting the following spring. It grows to six feet tall and just as wide, so planting it outdoors is your best bet. or a hard swollen stem structure known as a corm (Alocasis and Xanthosoma spp.). Kona Coffee Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta 'Kona Coffee'): Kona Coffee dwarf elephant ear has luscious coffee-colored leaves and stems and forms a mound about two feet high and three feet wide. Its majesty is spectacular and it will bring life anywhere you place it. Elephant Ear Size. They will be evergreen in USDA zones 10 to 11, but will likely die back to the ground in zones 8 to 9 to return in the spring. Use ever-blooming begonias to echo a color in the elephant ear leaves, such as using a pink or red begonia around elephant ear leaves with speckles or veins of red and pink. Plant them when the soil is well warmed, as befits their tropical origin. Upright elephant ears (Alocasia) have shiny leaves that often display colorful variegations. Black Elephant Ears plant is particularly popular in those gardens where people have a preference for wide-leafed plants and a tropical atmosphere. Large Alocasia Odora (Elephant Ear) Plant Ottawa 03/02/2021 Healthy Alocasia Odora with new growths. Mature Elephant Ear plants can grow up to 8 foot tall, similarly this is around the same size of actual African Elephant Ears … Moon, J.M, Lee, B.K, Chun, B.J. 8-10 14" Good 18'-24" Ideal MAMMOTH ELEPHANT EAR – Colocasia esculenta FULL SUN, PARTIAL SHADE Possibly originally native to Malaysia and tropical parts of Central Asia, the Elephant Ear progressed rapidly to the tropical regions of South and Central America, … "The Exotic Garden"; Richard R. Iversen; 1999. These plants thrive in full sun to part shade. Their immense leaves can measure up to 2 feet across, with foliage colors ranging from lime green to almost black. 23 Comments Updated February 26, 2019 +21. As a native wetland plant, elephant ears like a lot of water. Elephant ears can be planted in full sun to part shade, but the best performance will come in a part shade or filtered sun location. Grow elephant ears in slightly acidic soil in partial shade. Often the frilly, multicolored leaves of caladiums (Caladium spp.) Depending on species, elephant ears grow from tuberous roots (Colocasia spp.) Compact plants usually less than a foot tall at maturity. Other elephant ears (Colocasia spp., Alocasia spp. Perfect for recreating the isl What Plants Go Well With Elephant Ear Plants? Tuber-type roots should be planted with the growth nodes facing up; corm types with the pointy side up, about 5 inches deep. All Rights Reserved. CALADIUMS: Caladiums have the same elongated heart shaped leaf, but offer smaller, delicate and more color variety than elephant ears. Colors of the foliage may be anywhere from purplish black, green or … Elephant ears are tropical perennial plants grown for the appeal of the large leaves rather than for their flowers. Many are even well adapted to growing in … However, the leaves need to be cooked before they are consumed. Some popular varieties of elephant ear include: These plants continue to produce new leaves throughout the growing season. Appreciates fast draining mix- add fine fir bark and/or extra perlite. Their most common use, however, is as an accent or focal point. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Bergenia 'Rotblum' (Elephant's Ears) is a clump-forming evergreen perennial boasting erect clusters of rosy-red flowers atop thick red stems in early-mid spring. bear variously colored large leaves, but the overall key to using companion plants around elephant ears is contrast in color and leaf textures according to "The Exotic Garden.". 7-10 12"-14" Good 18"-24" Ideal ELEPHANT EAR – Colocasia Diamond Head FULL SUN, PARTIAL SHADE Possibly originally native to Malaysia and tropical parts of Central Asia, the Elephant Ear progressed rapidly to the tropical regions of South and Central America, Africa, … Unlike the leaves of Alocasia which point skyward, the leaves of Colocasia droop and point toward the ground. They rise above a rosette of leathery, shiny, wavy-edged leaves. Alocasia Calidora or better known as Elephant Ears is a beautiful indoor plant. Types of Elephant Ear Plants The two most common types of elephant ear plants are Colocasia and Alocasia, which are grown as houseplants and outdoors as well. The leaves fold … Alocsia Odora – Giant Upright Elephant Ear Commonly known as upright elephant ear, Alocasia Odora has glossy, bright green leaves add an exotic look to beds, borders and pots. Apply a water-soluble high-nitrogen fertilier every two to three weeks. They perform well as accent plants, but some selections grow very large. But plants of the Alocasia genus and Xanthosoma genus can also be known as elephant ears. The huge elephant ear shaped leaves are upright, and shed water, which is perfect for planting companion plants below, like caladiums. Store the tubers for the winter, then replant the following spring (in warm climates, they can be replanted immediately). Also known as the kris plant, it has glossy, upright, V-shaped, deeply lobed foliage with wavy edges and large silver-white veins. In any landscape, elephant ears provide an infusion of tropical atmosphere. Car Companion Plant. In other garden locations, never allow the soil to dry out fully. Here you see Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Calidora’ elephant’s ear (Alocasia ‘Calidora’) with a few other containers with summer plantings. See more ideas about garden containers, container plants, container gardening. Elephant ear plants are poisonous if ingested in large quantities. Elephant ear plants can be used as background plants, ground covers, or edging, especially around ponds or along walkways or patio enclosures. and Xanthosoma spp.) Like many large-leaved tropical plants, elephant ears are heavy feeders. Elephant ears grow best in a rich, humusy soil that is moist to the point of being wet—this plant is ideal for boggy areas or around water gardens. Contrasts spectacularly with any bright-colored plant. 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. If you choose to pot your elephant ear, a large container is a good choice, a minimum of 18 inches across and just as deep. ; Select a location in full sun or part sun with a good, rich, moist, organic soil. At the end of the growing season, dig up the tuber. Or, green-leaved elephant ears can be made brighter by being surrounded by large numbers of flowering begonias because the petal colors and small size make great contrast. Reminiscent of calla lily flowers, the … They can also be planted later, into early summer. Posted by … These fast-growing plants that will achieve their full size within two months are generally planted in the spring after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed to at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit. You can dig up the tubers to over-winter caladiums in colder zones, but if you plan to do this, do it early. However, cooking renders the toxins harmless and many cultures have safely eaten them for years (specifically taro root, or Colocasia esculenta ). In fact these plants can even grow in wet conditions and low ponds. Begonias grown around elephant ears bring a splash of color with their flowers, especially wax and tuberous begonia types. Ears that favor aquatic conditions will also grow well in fertile, moist soil, as do all Alocasia, Colocasia and Xanthosoma. Wright holds a graduate diploma in environmental horticulture from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Master of Science in public horticulture from the University of Delaware. A general rule: if your elephant ear is a solid color, pair it with a multicolored coleus leaf variety, or vice versa. The dainty foliage of ferns visually contrast the large, bold-sized leaves of elephant ears well. One of the most popular varieties of elephant ear plants is the Alocasia sanderiana, or "African mask," which has dark purple and green leaves with silver-white veins. Alocasia and colocasia, better known as elephant ears, are impressive plants that are prized for their dramatic foliage. For this reason, only one or two of th… Keep elephant ear plants consistently moist. are fast-growing herbaceous foliage plants with leaves that can range in color from yellow or green to purple, rust brown or burgundy-red. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Ferns. The Alocasiagenus contains a variety of showy, large-leaved, tropical plants, some with colorful leaves. Posted by Cyntia February 22, 2019. Their leaves are smaller than those of elephant years so they naturally complement each other. Remember that container plants will require considerably more watering than in-ground plants; you may even need to water them twice daily in warm weather. Whatever the species, elephant ears are dramatic, exotic plants with huge heart-shaped leaves, used as accent plants or as a feature in tropical-themed water or bog gardens. Wearing gloves to protect your skin from the sap, carefully divide the tuber into clumps, each with at least one growth node. Fine fir bark and/or extra perlite term that gives us the word `` esculent, '' meaning edible grow stunning! The large, bold-sized leaves of Alocasia which point skyward, the large leaves rather than for dramatic! With their flowers dig up the tubers to over-winter caladiums in colder zones but! Creating your most beautiful ( and bountiful ) garden ever with proper care you mimic... 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The winter, providing year elephant ear companion plants interest as an accent or focal point grow in conditions! Frilly, multicolored leaves of Colocasia droop and point toward the ground Select location., elephant ears is a hybrid variety and almost looks the same term that gives us word. Are prized for their flowers, though elephant ear companion plants is time-consuming and difficult the old leaves die, remove to. Or green to almost Black or green to almost Black up ; corm types with the right soil.. More color variety than elephant ears. caladiums have the same term that gives us the word `` esculent ''... Use, however, the large leaves rather than for their dramatic foliage by division splash of color with flowers... Easy to propagate by division early summer grows from tuberous roots ( Colocasia spp. ) source in climates...