The common name “Elephant Ears” describes a popular group of tropical plants known for their impressive, oversized foliage. These plants bring a lush, exotic feel to any garden or container display with their large, heart-shaped or arrow-shaped leaves. Understanding how to acquire and care for these plants is the first step toward enjoying their striking presence.
Defining the Term: Plant vs. Food
The term “Elephant Ears” can refer to two very different items, causing some initial confusion. In a horticultural context, it describes large-leafed plants primarily belonging to the genera Colocasia and Alocasia. Outside of gardening, “Elephant Ear” is also a common name for a large, flat, fried dough pastry typically found at carnivals. This article focuses exclusively on the ornamental plant species and their cultivation.
Finding Retailers for Elephant Ear Plants
During the spring and early summer, big-box home improvement stores and local nurseries often carry potted, actively growing plants. Purchasing a potted specimen offers immediate visual impact and ensures the plant has already broken dormancy. For a wider selection of varieties, specialized online bulb and tuber retailers are the best option. These companies ship the plants as bare tubers or corms. Buying tubers is generally more economical and allows you to start the plant indoors four to six weeks before the last expected frost.
Selecting the Right Plant Variety
The plants commonly sold as Elephant Ears fall mainly into two distinct botanical groups: Colocasia and Alocasia. A simple way to tell them apart is by observing the leaf posture. Colocasia leaves tend to droop downward and outward, with the leaf stem attaching near the center, causing a cascading effect. In contrast, Alocasia leaves typically point upward and feature a stiff, upright growth habit, with the stem attaching at the edge. Colocasia is generally more tolerant of wet soil conditions, while Alocasia prefers well-drained soil and is less tolerant of consistently waterlogged conditions.
Toxicity Warning
All Elephant Ear species contain calcium oxalate crystals, which cause painful irritation and swelling if ingested. Gardeners should exercise caution when placing these plants near pets or small children due to this inherent toxicity. Popular varieties include Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Mojito,’ which feature deep purple-black foliage or mottled green and black variegation, respectively.
Essential Care Instructions for Healthy Growth
Elephant Ears are heavy feeders that require consistently rich, organic, and slightly acidic soil to support their rapid growth. During the growing season, the plants benefit from a balanced liquid fertilizer, such as a 20-20-20 formulation, applied every two to four weeks. They also demand significant water, often preferring consistently moist soil, though Alocasia varieties still need good drainage to prevent corm rot. Most varieties perform best in partial shade, as intense afternoon sun can scorch the foliage, especially on darker-leafed cultivars.
Overwintering Tubers
Since these are tropical plants, they are not winter-hardy in colder climates, typically surviving outdoors only in USDA Zones 8 or higher. In regions with frost, the tubers must be dug up after the first light frost has caused the foliage to collapse. The dug tubers should be allowed to dry for a few days, then stored in a cool, dark, and dry environment, such as a box filled with peat moss or dry sawdust. Storage temperatures should remain around 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit until they can be replanted the following spring after all danger of frost has passed. Gardeners in Zone 7 or 8 may attempt to overwinter Colocasia in the ground by applying a thick layer of insulating mulch.