Elephant Ears Plant

Elephant Ears Plant – fascinating large leaves

The elephant ears plant (or taro), branded for their big leaf size and shape, grow from tubers which create corms. It is the corm that develops into an above-ground stem when the plant is released from dormancy. The most widely available species is Colocasia esculenta. This species is an old standard for gardens, but there are numerous new cultivars of Colocasia on the market now, providing different variations in leaf coloration and texture.

Generally Colocasia are grown outside in semi-tropical and tropical areas (In zones 8 and 9 they survive year round in the ground). They can be grown in northern areas but must be dug up for the winter months. In southern states they grow best in partial shade, but in northern states the can tolerate full sun and thrive in humid weather. Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist or wet, slightly acidic soil. They need plenty of water. We find it difficult to over-water these plants as they can learn to grow directly in ponds in your yard. If you choose to grow them in pots, then self watering pots with a reservoir will reduce your watering chores. The pots should allow room for tubers to produce next year’s corms. Also, if you are putting in pots outside then they should be heavy enough to reduce any incidence of blowing over in high winds.

Colocasias are heavy feeders. Grown best in fertile, humus-rich, moist or wet, slightly acidic soil. Regular fertilizing every month is good during the growing season. A balanced, 20-20-20 fertilizer is fine. If your elephant ears do not produce quick lush growth, they need either more heat, more water or more nitrogen.

To get a jump on the growing season, you can start elephant ears indoors up to 8 weeks before the last frost in your area. Depending on how they were stored it sometimes takes them awhile to come out of dormancy. If growing them in pots use a rich organic potting soil. Plant the corms blunt end down, beneath 2 inches of soil.

Black Magic Elephant Ears
- Glossy leaves up to 2 feet long, with deep purple color.

The best way to propagate the elephant ear is to divide the bulbs at the time of planting. After digging it up just pull the roots apart into three sections. Then replant them with mulching and fertilization. The bulbs should produce bulbets off the sides of the main bulb from the previous season.

When frost threatens, bring elephant ears in the house. If you would like to winter them as house plants, you will get the best results providing a southern exposure. Do NOT let the soil dry out. As close as you can, simulate a tropical condition in your home. As long as the plant continues to produce new leaves, apply a diluted liquid fertilizer (half strength). Your main difficulty with indoor culture will be supplying Colocasia with enough humidity. The elephant ear will not grow indoors all year long. Like most bulbs it needs a rest to recoup some energy for the next growth cycle. In the spring gradually expose it to direct sun and wind for a week before putting it on the patio or planting it in the ground after your last frost.

The Elephant Ears Plant is an important food source around the world, in warm climates. They are eaten in places like Hawaii, Philippines and India. Learning about the proper preparation is important. In all the preparations I read about there is caution about coming in contact with the sap. The clear sticky solution will cause severe itching. We recommend careful study in the proper preparation before trying to prepare, cook and eat this food.

These are fun plants for children because of their fast growth and large, veined leaves. We would not suggest letting your children or pets chew on any plant. Not all parts of every plant is poisonous but some parts of plants are. Some elephant ears may be poisonous and others (taro, that are sometimes considered in the elephant ear family) are not. One would have to know the variety of each kind of elephant ear plant to know the specific dangers. Do not test to find out. It is better to teach all children never to eat anything in the flowering garden.

Black Stem Elephant Ears
- Unique even among other exotics, this exquisite variety carries large, glossy green leaves atop stunning, 3-4 ft. black stems.