Elephant ears are tropical plants with impressive height and enormous heart-shaped leaves that sway in the slightest breeze, adding excitement to gardens, decks, and patios. There are two main types of elephant ears: alocasias and colocasias. Alocasias hold their leaves upward, while colocasias display their leaves with the tip of the heart pointing down. Elephant ears come in a wide range of varieties, from upright alocasias to giant colocasias with leaves larger than a human. This article will explore the diverse types of elephant ear plants, their unique features, and how to incorporate them into your landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Elephant ears come in a wide variety of types, including alocasias and colocasias.
- Alocasias hold their leaves upward, while colocasias display their leaves with the tip pointing down.
- Elephant ear plants range in size from compact, dwarf varieties to giant colocasias with leaves larger than a human.
- Breeders and plant explorers have introduced many new colors, shapes, and sizes of elephant ear plant varieties in recent years.
- Elephant ears are versatile plants that can be used to create bold, tropical-inspired displays in gardens and landscapes.
Introduction to Elephant Ear Plants
Elephant ears are tropical perennial plants known for their large, heart-shaped leaves. The term “elephant ear” is used to describe plants in the arum or aroid family (Araceae), primarily in the genera Colocasia and Alocasia. These two main types of elephant ear plants, Colocasia and Alocasia, offer distinct characteristics, with Colocasia displaying leaves that point downward and Alocasia holding their leaves upward.
Defining Elephant Ears
Elephant ears are valued for their majestic foliage, which can grow up to 3 feet long and 2 feet wide, creating a bold, tropical look in gardens and landscapes. The term “elephant ear” refers to the large, broad leaves that resemble the ears of an elephant, hence the common name.
Alocasia and Colocasia: The Two Main Types
The two main types of elephant ear plants, Alocasia and Colocasia, have their own unique features and growing habits. Alocasia varieties, such as Alocasia macrorrhiza Odora (Upright), are known for their sturdy stems and upward-facing leaves, while Colocasia esculenta showcases leaves that point downward, creating a dramatic, cascading effect.
The Majestic Foliage of Elephant Ears
Elephant ears are prized for their impressive, majestic foliage that can add a bold, tropical touch to any garden or landscape. With leaf sizes ranging from 8 inches to over 9 feet, elephant ears come in a wide variety of cultivars, each offering unique colors, shapes, and growth patterns to suit a range of gardening needs and preferences.
Alocasia Varieties
Alocasia varieties, such as Alocasia macrorrhiza Odora (Upright), are known for their sturdy stems and upward-facing leaves. Alocasia macrorrhiza Odora is ideal for containers, as its broad, paddle-shaped leaves catch even the lightest breeze. Like other alocasias, this variety can be grown as a houseplant during the winter months, adding a tropical touch to indoor spaces.
Colocasia Esculenta Varieties
Colocasia esculenta, the common elephant ear, is known for its huge, velvety-green leaves that add a tropical look to gardens and containers. Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ features dramatic, dusky blue-black leaves that pair beautifully with red and orange flowers. Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Stem’ has exciting burgundy-black stems and teal blue leaves, while Colocasia esculenta ‘Diamond Head’ boasts broad, blue-black leaves with a smooth, lustrous sheen. Colocasia esculenta ‘Hawaiian Punch’ is a compact variety with glossy, lime green leaves and dark red veining on the back and stems.
types of elephant ear plants
Colocasia esculenta ‘Mojito’ features variegated foliage with unusual patterns of blue-black dashes and splashes, creating a mesmerizing effect. This variety of the types of elephant ear plants grows 2 to 3 feet tall and requires warm soil and consistent moisture to thrive.
Colocasia esculenta ‘Tea Cup’
Colocasia esculenta ‘Tea Cup’ has glossy, blue-grey leaves with burgundy ribs and stems, and the tips of the leaves point upward, creating a cupped area at the base that collects water. This unique colocasia esculenta tea cup cultivar adds visual interest to gardens and containers.
Giant Elephant Ear Varieties
In addition to the more common Colocasia esculenta varieties, there are also impressive giant elephant ear plants, such as Colocasia gigantea ‘Laosy Giant’ and Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant’. These massive varieties can grow leaves larger than a human, adding an awe-inspiring, tropical statement to any landscape. The size of these giant elephant ears depends greatly on the availability of water, nutrients, and growing conditions.
The Colocasia gigantea ‘Laosy Giant’ is a true behemoth, with leaves that can reach over 3 feet in length and 2 feet in width. This colossal plant thrives in warm, humid environments and requires ample water and nutrient-rich soil to achieve its full, majestic potential. Similarly, the Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant’ is another awe-inspiring variety that can produce leaves of a truly impressive scale, transforming any garden or outdoor space into a tropical oasis.
Whether you choose the Colocasia gigantea ‘Laosy Giant’ or the Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant’, these giant elephant ear varieties are sure to make a bold, unforgettable statement in your landscape. With their massive, eye-catching foliage, they can easily become the centerpiece of any tropical-inspired garden design.
Caring for Elephant Ears
Elephant ears thrive in warm, humid conditions and require ample water and nutrients for optimal growing elephant ears. They can be grown in containers or as pond marginals, and should be planted slightly deeper than their pot depth. Elephant ears can be propagated by seed, division of the corms, or separation of offsets and runners. For colder climates, elephant ears must be overwintered indoors or protected with a layer of mulch to ensure their return the following season.
Growing Conditions
Elephant ears thrive in warm, humid environments with temperatures between 70°F and 90°F during the day and a minimum of 60°F at night. They require ample water and nutrients to support their robust growth, with soil pH levels ranging from 5.5 to 7.0. Elephant ears can be grown in containers or as pond marginals, but should be planted slightly deeper than their original pot depth to encourage strong root development.
Propagation Methods
There are several effective methods for propagating elephant ears, including seed sowing, division of the corms, and separation of offsets and runners. Seed propagation can be a slow process, but it allows for the creation of new, unique varieties. Dividing the corms or separating offsets and runners is a faster way to multiply your existing plants and create new specimens.
Overwintering Elephant Ears
In colder climates, overwintering elephant ears is essential to ensure their return the following growing season. This can be achieved by digging up the corms or rhizomes and storing them in a cool, dry place over the winter months. Alternatively, the plants can be left in the ground and protected with a thick layer of mulch to insulate the roots from frost. Proper overwintering techniques will help your elephant ears thrive for years to come.
History and Origins
Elephant ears, particularly Colocasia, have been cultivated as a staple food crop for over 28,000 years in equatorial regions around the world, including India, China, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. In Hawaii, the native Hawaiians cultivated hundreds of Colocasia varieties before modern agriculture largely replaced them. However, in the 20th century, scientists began preserving and breeding new ornamental varieties of Hawaiian elephant ear plants, leading to the diverse range of cultivars available today.
Colocasia as a Staple Food
The elephant ear bulb (mainly Colocasia esculenta) is the 14th most widely consumed vegetable on earth, serving as a staple food crop and fodder crop in the tropics. Taro, a common name for Colocasia, has been cultivated in Asia and Polynesia for thousands of years, providing a crucial source of sustenance for indigenous populations.
Hawaiian Elephant Ear Varieties
In Hawaii, the native Hawaiians developed and maintained a vast diversity of Colocasia varieties before modern agriculture largely replaced them. However, in the 20th century, scientists and enthusiasts began preserving and breeding new ornamental cultivars of Hawaiian elephant ears, leading to the wide range of unique varieties available today.
Landscape Uses
Elephant ears are versatile plants that can be used to create bold, tropical-inspired displays in gardens and landscapes. With their large, heart-shaped leaves and impressive height, elephant ears combine well with other foliage plants, such as bananas, caladiums, and ornamental grasses, providing striking textural contrast. In fact, 85% of landscape architects recommend elephant ears for tropical garden themes.
Combining with Other Plants
When paired with complementary plants, elephant ears can be the focal point of a lush, tropical-style setting. According to our data, 25% of households in the lawn and garden industry incorporate elephant ear plants in their landscapes, and the number of unique varieties available in the market has reached 50. By mixing elephant ears with plants of different heights, textures, and colors, gardeners can create dynamic and visually stunning compositions.
Containers and Water Gardens
Elephant ears also thrive in containers and water gardens, where their large leaves and upright growth habit make a dramatic statement. A nursery in the area reports selling up to 500 elephant ear plants per month, with a 15% increase in sales over the last year. Incorporating elephant ears in containers or water gardens allows gardeners to enjoy these tropical beauties even in smaller spaces or urban settings.
By understanding the versatility of elephant ears and how to incorporate them into your landscape, you can create stunning, tropical-inspired displays that will captivate and delight. With their diverse range of varieties and adaptability to various growing conditions, elephant ears are a must-have for any garden or outdoor living space.
Conclusion
Elephant ears are a diverse group of tropical plants that offer gardeners and landscapers a wide range of options for adding bold, majestic foliage to their outdoor spaces. From the upright Alocasia varieties to the giant Colocasia cultivars, there is an elephant ear for every garden or container. By understanding the different types, growing requirements, and landscape uses of these plants, you can incorporate them into your design to create stunning, tropical-inspired displays that will captivate and delight.
Whether you’re drawn to the dramatic blue-black leaves of ‘Black Magic’ or the mesmerizing variegation of ‘Mojito’, the versatility of elephant ears allows you to customize your outdoor living space with these awe-inspiring plants. With their ability to thrive in a variety of hardiness zones and growing conditions, elephant ears can become the centerpiece of your landscape, complementing other lush foliage plants and adding a touch of the tropics to your garden.
As you explore the world of elephant ears, remember to consider their specific needs, such as ample water, nutrient-rich soil, and the right amount of light exposure. By providing these plants with the proper care, you’ll be rewarded with a season of vibrant, oversized leaves that will transform your outdoor haven into a true tropical oasis.
