Home  •  

  •  Site Map  •  Checkout  •  Gift Card Balance  •  USDA Hardiness Zones  •  Wish List  •  Login
Elephant Ears

Elephant Ears

Elephant Ears (which include Colocasias and Alocasias) provide a tropical atmosphere with their enormous, novel, green rippled leaves and large tubers.  Also known as Taro, they are spectacular as a tall screen or as a submerged pot plant for water gardens.  With leaves up to 2’ long, they thrive in partial to full shade and moist soil conditions. In the North, dig and store or use as a houseplant for an exotic look.  They can freeze to the ground but will come back in zones 7 and above.  If you have a large pot that can be moved indoors, Elephant Ears can provide tropical interest in a Northern garden.


Alocasia Macrorrhiza

Alocasia Macrorrhiza
Click to enlarge image(s)
Alocasia Macrorrhiza Elephant Ears have enormous green heart-shaped leaves that face upwards, unlike most other Elephant Ears which face downward – hence the name, Upright Elephant Ears. Upright Elephant Ears are thick, leathery, huge and spectacular. Although they will tolerate a light frost, they can freeze to the ground but will come back in zones 7 and above. If you have a large pot, Elephant Ears can provide tropical interest in a Northern garden.

Size: 5-7" circ. bulbs
Plant: 1 Per 3 Sq Ft
Bloom Time: Summer until Frost
Planting Depth: Cover with 2” of soil
Height: 4-5’
Zone: 7-11
Exposure: Sunny.

Colocasia Esculenta

Colocasia Esculenta
Click to enlarge image(s)
Colocasia Esculenta Elephant Ears have bright green leaves, 1-2’ wide by 2-3’ long. Also known as “Kalo,” “Coco Yam” or "Taro.” Taro is widely grown in the tropics for food. The edible tubers are used in Poi, and the young shoots are blanched and used as a winter vegetable. Called the Common Elephant Ear, Colocasia Esculenta are widely used and very showy. Can be invasive.

Size: 9-11" circ. bulbs
Plant: 1 Bulb Per 3 Sq Ft
Bloom Time: Summer until Frost
Planting Depth: Cover with 2” of soil
Height: 5-6’
Zone: 7-11
Exposure: Sunny.

Colocasia Esculenta 'Black Magic'

Colocasia Esculenta 'Black Magic'
Click to enlarge image(s)
Colocasia Esculenta ‘Black Magic’ Elephant Ears feature unusual leaves which start out green and then turn purplish-black after exposed to sunlight. The 48” leaf grows on strong dark burgundy-black stems. It has an 8 foot spread at a mature size. Does well in moist areas.

Size: 5-7" circ. bulbs
Plant: 1  Per 3 Sq Ft
Bloom Time: Summer until Frost
Planting Depth: Cover with 2” of soil
Height: 5-6’
Zone: 7-11
Exposure: Sunny.

Colocasia Esculenta Jack's Giant

Colocasia Esculenta Jack's Giant
Click to enlarge image(s)
Colocasia Esculenta Jack's Giant really does look like a Jack in the Beanstalk plant!  It thrives in moist or even wet soil that has been enriched with organic matter, but keep it dry in winter time so it doesn't rot.  This beauty can grow to 7 feet tall by 7 week wide and will become a focal point in your garden.  Leaves can be 3 ft wide and 5 ft long.  Be sure to give it plenty of food and water throughout the growing season (summer).  

Size: 9-11"+ circ. bulbs
Plant: 1 Bulb Per 3 Sq Ft
Bloom Time: Summer until Frost
Planting Depth: Cover with 2” of soil
Height: 5-6’
Zone: 7-11
Exposure: Sunny.

Colocasia Violacea

Colocasia Violacea
Click to enlarge image(s)
Colocasia Violacea Elephant Ears (also known as Purple Taro or Violet Stemmed Taro) have large deep green elephant ear shaped leaves with purple stems and veins. Frost tender. Grows in wet soil to 10cm deep water. 

Size: 4-6" circ. bulbs
Plant: 1 Bulb Per 3 Sq Ft
Bloom Time: Summer until Frost
Planting Depth: Cover with 2” of soil
Height: 4-5’
Zone: 7-11
Exposure: Shade to Partly Sunny.





Violet Stem, Colocasia violacea 4 by Silk Knoll (2018) (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0I)

Copyright © 2009 - Hummingbear Marketing, Inc. All rights reserved.
1-888-321-0821
CustomerService@MarysGardenPatch.com
Our Fall shipping season has ended. Order for Spring planting now.

Shopping Cart

Items: 0
Subtotal: $0.00
Note:  All prices are in U.S. dollars.