Colors of the foliage may be anywhere from purplish black, green or … are fast-growing herbaceous foliage plants with leaves that can range in color from yellow or green to purple, rust brown or burgundy-red. The plant's leaves and stems contain oxalic acid, which can cause serious illness in children or pets. Often the frilly, multicolored leaves of caladiums (Caladium spp.) Preparing and storing elephant ears bulbs for winter, in the basement, in a cold climate. In fact, elephant ears are an important food source in warm climates around the world. long (37 cm). 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. 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. Wearing gloves to protect your skin from the sap, carefully divide the tuber into clumps, each with at least one growth node. What Plants Go Well With Elephant Ear Plants? Keep elephant ear plants consistently moist. Ferns. In other garden locations, never allow the soil to dry out fully. Looking for some interior plants, if you have any please let me know. The leaves of caladiums are somewhat heart shaped, much like an elephant ear and vibrantly colored. Begonias grown around elephant ears bring a splash of color with their flowers, especially wax and tuberous begonia types. As the old leaves die, remove them to keep the plant looking vibrant. "The Exotic Garden"; Richard R. Iversen; 1999. 36-48 in. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. The dainty foliage of ferns visually contrast the large, bold-sized leaves of elephant ears well. But plants of the Alocasia genus and Xanthosoma genus can also be known as elephant ears. Black Elephant Ears plant is particularly popular in those gardens where people have a preference for wide-leafed plants and a tropical atmosphere. 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. Juxtapose the foliage to amplify their differences. In that, Alocasia is most preferred as a houseplant and colocasia is grown outdoors in gardens. Elephant Ear Size. The sap from the plant can also be a skin irritant. Add a balanced, slow release fertilizer when planting, in early spring, and late summer for best results. The natural indoor plant air cleaner. Alocasia and colocasia, better known as elephant ears, are impressive plants that are prized for their dramatic foliage. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! The dramatic coloring makes it suitable as a companion plant for plants with lighter foliage or Reminiscent of calla lily flowers, the … To grow these stunning plants, plant the bulbs in the early spring with the right soil conditions. 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. Like many large-leaved tropical plants, elephant ears are heavy feeders. 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. There are a number of uses for elephant ears in the garden. They can also be planted later, into early summer. Tuber-type roots should be planted with the growth nodes facing up; corm types with the pointy side up, about 5 inches deep. See more ideas about garden containers, container plants, container gardening. Type Plant Height Plant Spread Winter Hardy Zones Container Size Elephant Ear 48-60 in. Appreciates fast draining mix- add fine fir bark and/or extra perlite. Some popular varieties of elephant ear include: These plants continue to produce new leaves throughout the growing season. However, the leaves need to be cooked before they are consumed. are planted to embellish and complement the flower colors of plants in summer annual beds and containers. ‘Black Magic’: This was the first black cultivar with dusty purple-black leaves. 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, … As a native wetland plant, elephant ears like a lot of water. 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. Moon, J.M, Lee, B.K, Chun, B.J. Space plants well apart—2 feet for smaller cultivars, 4 feet for larger varieties. You can dig up the tubers to over-winter caladiums in colder zones, but if you plan to do this, do it early. There is a wide variety of leaf sizes, color, and variegation among species. Make sure they stay well-watered during dry spells. 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. Car Companion Plant. In some climates—and when growing in containers—this means watering daily. 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 … 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. While they are in storage, make sure the corms neither rot nor totally dry out. Unlike the leaves of Alocasia which point skyward, the leaves of Colocasia droop and point toward the ground. 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. 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. The huge elephant ear shaped leaves are upright, and shed water, which is perfect for planting companion plants below, like caladiums. Upright elephant ears (Alocasia) have shiny leaves that often display colorful variegations. Grow elephant ears in slightly acidic soil in partial shade. I’ve yet to meet an elephant ear that didn’t grow well in containers. The dainty foliage of ferns visually contrast the large, bold-sized leaves of elephant ears well. 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, … Elephant ears are tropical plants that do best in circumstances that mimic their native habitat. Their leaves are smaller than those of elephant years so they naturally complement each other. Alocasis and Xanthosoma species of elephant ear grow from hard corm-like roots that can't be divided. Once they sprout, elephant ears require little tending, other than regular feeding with a fertilizer high in nitrogen. Elephant's ear gives a bold tropical effect to the landscape with its unusually large, shield-like, fleshy green leaves. In fact these plants can even grow in wet conditions and low ponds. 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. Juxtapose the... Coleus. Their immense leaves can measure up to 2 feet across, with foliage colors ranging from lime green to almost black. 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. Read our, The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Perfect for recreating the isl Coleus (Solenostemon spp.) From Kentucky born tropical plant breeder Brian Williams of Brian’s Botanicals, we bring you this new stunning, black leaved elephant ear. The common variety of elephant ear, Colocasia esculenta, grows from tuberous roots that are easy to propagate by division. The Black Magic Elephant Ear prefers moist soil. The most commonly grown plant Colocasia esculenta, also known as taro. When kept indoors with proper care you can expect your plant to reach a maximum of 6 foot or more in length. 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. Alocasia amazonica is a hybrid variety and almost looks the same as this plant. These plants are sometimes propagated by collecting and planting seeds from the flowers, though this is time-consuming and difficult. Toxicities of Raw Alocasia Odora. Plants in the aroid family with large shield-like leaves are often dubbed "elephant ears." At the end of the growing season, dig up the tuber. Compact plants usually less than a foot tall at maturity. It grows to six feet tall and just as wide, so planting it outdoors is your best bet. 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. These plants thrive in full sun to part shade. Plant taxonomy classifies the most widely known elephant ear, also called taro, as Colocasia esculenta. Store the tubers for the winter, then replant the following spring (in warm climates, they can be replanted immediately). 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. 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. However, cooking renders the toxins harmless and many cultures have safely eaten them for years (specifically taro root, or Colocasia esculenta ). The roots (known as taro root) and the leaves are both edible. The plant has arrow-shaped, deeply lobed leaves that extend 12 to 16 inches. Its majesty is spectacular and it will bring life anywhere you place it. 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. They rise above a rosette of leathery, shiny, wavy-edged leaves. They perform well as accent plants, but some selections grow very large. 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. or a hard swollen stem structure known as a corm (Alocasis and Xanthosoma spp.). May 27, 2013 - Explore Marcella Smith's board "elephant ear container " on Pinterest. Elephant ear plants are poisonous if ingested in large quantities. Posted by Cyntia February 22, 2019. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Human and Experimental Toxicology, 30,10,1720-3, 2011, doi:10.1177/0960327110393760. are fast-growing herbaceous foliage plants with leaves that can range in color from... Begonias. Very easy method that always works. To have a detailed look on types of Elephant Ear plants, click here Jacob J. Wright became a full-time writer in 2008, with articles appearing on various websites. Elephant ears are hardy in zones 8-10. He has worked professionally at gardens in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Elephant ears are tropical perennial plants grown for the appeal of the large leaves rather than for their flowers. Huge elephant ear leaves in striking dusty purple-black are big attention getters. Contrasts spectacularly with any bright-colored plant. This makes them a good choice for wet areas where gardeners usually have trouble finding suitable plants. Also known as the kris plant, it has glossy, upright, V-shaped, deeply lobed foliage with wavy edges and large silver-white veins. Companion Plants Cacti & Succulents The Seed Exchange. Some varieties are well suited for planting in large containers. Replant them in spring when the danger of frost has passed. Coleus (Solenostemon spp.) The plant comes in many color varieties from white through to pink and red and it makes a fabulous companion plant for hosta. Prepare the bed for elephant ears by … In colder zones, they will perish unless the tubers are dug up and stored for the winter. Care for them properly with frequent watering and fertilizing to watch them flourish. 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. Elephant ear is the common name is used for several species in three plant genera—Colocasia, Alocasis, and Xanthosoma. Many are even well adapted to growing in … Here you see Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Calidora’ elephant’s ear (Alocasia ‘Calidora’) with a few other containers with summer plantings. This elephant ear likes moist soils and is very happy near ponds or water features. Their most common use, however, is as an accent or focal point. 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. Deep green in spring and summer, the large leaves turn bronze-red in fall and winter, providing year round interest. Pairing coleus with caladiums is particularly enjoyable as you can mimic or echo the colors in the caladium leaves in those of the coleus. ; Select a location in full sun or part sun with a good, rich, moist, organic soil. 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. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, 3–8 feet tall, similar spread; smaller in colder climates. Play with different leaf colors and patterns among elephant ear plants, regardless of their botanical identity. Plant them when the soil is well warmed, as befits their tropical origin. Posted by … 36-60 in. 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 … 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.". The Alocasiagenus contains a variety of showy, large-leaved, tropical plants, some with colorful leaves. 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. 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. Elephant ears' species name, esculentia, is the same term that gives us the word "esculent," meaning edible. Again, visual contrast among leaves adds the design interest. 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. Ears that favor aquatic conditions will also grow well in fertile, moist soil, as do all Alocasia, Colocasia and Xanthosoma. ", 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.". 13. They take well to growing in pots, provided you follow a few guidelines. A staple of the tropical garden that can be managed in containers for colder climates. 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. For this reason, only one or two of th… 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. All Rights Reserved. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 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. 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. 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. 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