Colocasia, known as Elephant Ear plant or Taro, boasts dramatic, heart-shaped leaves, creating a lush, tropical ambiance in the garden
Colocasia is a fast-growing plant that can quickly fill a garden’s space. It’s known for its dramatic tropical appearance and is often used as a focal point in landscaping. While grown mainly for its foliage, Colocasia is also an important agricultural crop in many cultures, valued for its edible tubers.
Colocasia, commonly known as Elephant Ear or Taro, is a genus of tropical plants prized for their large, heart-shaped leaves. These leaves can be so large that they resemble elephant ears, giving the plant its common name. The leaves are often glossy, with prominent veins and a range of colors from deep green to black.
Belonging to the arum family (Araceae), along with Anthurium (Flamingo Flower), Zantedeschia (Calla Lily), or Caladium (Angel Wing), the genus Colocasia includes several species, with Colocasia esculenta being the most widely known and cultivated. This species is commonly used for its edible tubers (Taro).
Native: Colocasia is native to southeastern Asia and India, thriving in warm, humid environments. It has been cultivated in these regions for thousands of years, both for its ornamental value and as a food crop.
Growth Habit: Elephant Ears are herbaceous perennials with a clumping growth habit. They grow from tubers or rhizomes and can spread to form large clusters.
Size: The size of Elephant Ear plants can vary significantly depending on the species and growing conditions, but many varieties can reach 3-6 feet (90-180 cm) in height and spread.
Flowers and Blooming Season: The flowers, though not as prominent as the foliage, are typically inflorescences enclosed in a spathe. They usually bloom in late summer. After flowering, Colocasia plants may produce a berry-like fruit, but it is generally not significant or ornamental.
Foliage: The foliage is the most striking feature of the Elephant Ear plant, with leaves that can reach several feet in length in some species. The leaves are usually arrow or heart-shaped and can have different colors or patterns. They grow directly from underground tubers on long petioles (leaf stalks). In a healthy plant, new leaves continuously emerge from the center, unfurling in a spiral pattern.
Hardiness: Most Colocasia species are hardy in USDA zones 8-11. They require a warm climate to thrive and are not frost-tolerant. In USDA zone 10 or warmer climates, they remain evergreen, but in zones 8 to 9, most varieties typically die back to the ground, reemerging in the spring. The plant will die in colder zones unless the tubers are dug up and stored for the winter.
Uses: Elephant Ears are widely used as ornamental plants in gardens and landscapes, especially near ponds, in water features, or in wet, boggy areas. The large, striking leaves make it an excellent choice for focal points in garden beds or as a lush backdrop for other plants. They can be grown in shallow water at the edges of ponds or in water gardens, adding a lush, green look.
Elephant Ears are also well-suited for growing in large containers, where they can add a tropical touch to patios, decks, and indoor spaces.
The tubers of some species, particularly Colocasia esculenta (Taro), are edible and a staple food in many tropical regions of the world. They are rich in carbohydrates and can be cooked in various ways, similar to potatoes.
Toxicity: All parts of the plant are toxic to humans and pets if ingested raw due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. Cooking usually neutralizes the toxins in the tubers.
Deer and Rabbit: Elephant Ears are generally resistant to deer and rabbits, likely due to their toxicity.
Invasiveness: Colocasia esculenta can become invasive in regions with warm, humid climates, particularly in areas near wetlands, rivers, and streams. It’s notably invasive in parts of the southeastern United States and other similar climatic zones around the world, where it can outcompete native vegetation due to its rapid growth and adaptability to wet conditions. Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
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Hardiness |
8 - 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
8 - 12 |
Climate Zones | 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
Plant Family | Araceae |
Genus | Colocasia |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 2' - 10' (60cm - 3m) |
Spread | 2' - 10' (60cm - 3m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand, Clay |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens |
Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
Hardiness |
8 - 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
8 - 12 |
Climate Zones | 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
Plant Family | Araceae |
Genus | Colocasia |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 2' - 10' (60cm - 3m) |
Spread | 2' - 10' (60cm - 3m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand, Clay |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens |
Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
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Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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