Melinda Myers

Elephant Ears

Botanical Name

Colocasia, Alocasia

Hardiness

Zones 10 to 11, grown as annual elsewhere

Height

1 to 15 feet

Width

2 to 4 feet or more

Flowers

Infrequent, grown for foliage

Light

Full sun to part shade (best)

Soil

Moist, well-drained, organic

Planting & Care

• Plant corms 4 inches deep
• Does best in moist soils
• Good plant for bog gardens or at the edge of water

Problems

None serious

Varieties

• Black Magic - 60", purple-black leaves
• Illustris - 30", black leaves with green veins
• Mojito - 4-5', chartreuse leaves are irregularly streaked and speckled with purple to black
• Coffee Cups - 4-6', waxy, cup-shaped foliage, green leaves with purple veins
• Hawaiian Punch - 2-3', glossy green leaves with red veins and striking red stems