Elephant ears, encompassing the genera Colocasia and Alocasia, are magnificent tropical plants that serve as powerful focal points in any setting. Their enormous, heart-shaped or sagittate leaves instantly lend a lush, jungle-like atmosphere to a patio or deck. Container gardening with these dramatic plants allows for flexible placement and easier overwintering, but maximizing their visual impact requires careful selection of companion plants. The goal of combining plants in a single pot is to create a harmonious, miniature ecosystem where all components thrive together while enhancing the overall aesthetic.
Matching Growing Conditions
Successful companion planting with elephant ears depends on matching the environmental requirements of the main plant. Colocasia and Alocasia are native to tropical and subtropical regions, where they often grow near water, making them heavy drinkers. Any plant sharing their container must tolerate or prefer consistently moist soil; plants requiring dry or moderately well-drained conditions are unsuitable.
The potting medium should be rich and fertile, containing plenty of organic matter to support the rapid growth of these large-leafed specimens. Elephant ears are heavy feeders, and their companions must also be able to tolerate a high-nutrient environment. Most varieties thrive best in partial shade or filtered sun, as intense, direct afternoon sunlight can scorch their foliage. Plants needing full sun or deep shade will struggle in the conditions required by the elephant ear.
Designing the Container: Roles and Aesthetics
Designing a container planting utilizes a simple, three-part framework to create visual balance and depth. The elephant ear assumes the role of the “Thriller” due to its height and massive leaves, drawing the eye upward and providing the primary structure. Surrounding this vertical element are the “Filler” plants, which are mid-sized, mounding companions that provide mass and volume in the middle ground.
The final layer is the “Spiller,” consisting of trailing plants that cascade over the edge of the pot, softening the container’s hard lines. Contrast is paramount when pairing plants with the elephant ear’s large, solid foliage. Introducing fine or delicate textures, such as fern-like leaves, offers a visual counterpoint to the broad leaves. Utilizing contrasting colors like bright chartreuse greens, deep purples, or silvers can make the elephant ear’s primary leaf color appear more vibrant.
Recommended Companion Plants
Choosing specific companion plants requires ensuring they meet both the high-moisture needs and the aesthetic design roles.
Filler Plants
For the essential Filler role, many varieties of Caladium work exceptionally well, as they share the need for rich, moist soil and partial shade. Their delicate, arrow-shaped leaves provide a textural contrast and introduce brilliant color, often featuring white, pink, or red variegation. Other excellent Fillers include:
- Wax and tuberous Begonias, which offer masses of flowers or highly textured foliage and thrive in the same consistently damp soil.
- Coleus varieties, providing a vast palette of leaf colors from lime green to nearly black, which beautifully complements the typical dark green or purple of many elephant ear cultivars.
Coleus’s compact, bushy habit efficiently fills the middle space of the container.
Spiller Plants
For the Spiller role, the Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas) is an extremely popular and effective choice, as it tolerates the heavy watering and rich soil. Its vigorous, trailing stems and lobed leaves offer a delicate texture contrast, and the varieties with chartreuse or deep purple foliage create striking color combinations. Other reliable Spillers include:
- Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia), forming dense mats of small, coin-shaped, bright yellow-green leaves that spill over the edge.
- Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’, offering a distinctive, silvery-gray color and a fine, soft texture that flows dramatically over the container rim.
All these recommended companions are robust enough to compete with the elephant ear’s extensive root system while maintaining a complementary appearance in the required shade and moisture conditions.
Caring for Mixed Elephant Ear Containers
A high-density, mixed container demands a more rigorous maintenance schedule than a single-plant pot. The close proximity of multiple plants means the medium dries out quickly, necessitating daily moisture checks. In hot weather, elephant ears may require watering twice per day to ensure the soil remains consistently moist and prevents wilting.
The intense competition for nutrients makes a regular feeding schedule mandatory. Apply a balanced, water-soluble liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks to sustain vigorous growth and offset the heavy feeding of the elephant ear. Occasional pruning of companion plants is also important to maintain the intended aesthetic and health. Fast-growing fillers and spillers, such as Sweet Potato Vine or Coleus, may need to be trimmed back periodically to prevent them from overwhelming the elephant ear. This selective removal of foliage ensures the elephant ear retains its dominant role and allows for adequate air circulation, which helps prevent fungal issues.