Elephant ear plants are plants whose large, thick leaves are shaped like an elephant’s ear. The reason why they are such popular plants to buy is that they are very easy to grow and will bloom for almost half of the year.

1. Elephant Ear Plants – Facts and Types
Elephant ear plants are plants whose large, thick leaves are shaped like an elephant’s ear. The reason why they
are such popular plants to buy is that they are very easy to grow and will bloom for almost half of the year.
Did you know: The Elephant Ear (Colocasia) is a tropical plant that grows up to 9 feet (2.7 m)
tall and sprouts large, arrow-shaped leaves that resemble the ears on an elephant.
General Facts
Elephant Ear plants in Indonesia, India, China, South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Polynesia, and around
the Mediterranean Sea.
In colder winter months, the Elephant Ear will go into a dormant state and the leaves will die, only to return in
more abundance in the spring.
Elephant Ear plants produce a sap containing calcium oxalate, which can be irritating if it comes into direct
contact with the skin.
Vietnamese herb is one of the uses of Elephant Ear stalks. It is a popular addition to stir-frys and soups.
There are four types of elephant ears plants:
Colocasia, Caladium, Alocasia, and Xanthosoma.
 COLOCASIA
Zones: 7-12
Exposure: Full sun/part shade
Soil: Medium to wet, organically rich
Height: 3 to 10 feet
Spread: 2 to 10 feet
Originating in tropical parts of Asia and India, Colocasia plants like it warm and humid. Their leaves
point downward and they have edible tubers, called taro. Their size makes them a great specimen plant and if
you’re lucky yours may produce calla lily-like flowers. Warning: certain Colocasia species are considered
invasive along the Gulf Coast.
 ALOCASIA
Zones: 7-11
Exposure: Part shade/full shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained, organically rich
Height: 2 to 6 feet
Spread: 2 to 6 feet
Hailing from subtropical Asia and parts of Australia, Alocasia plants are sometimes called African mask
plant. Unlike other elephant ears, their leases point upwards and their tubers aren’t edible.
 CALADIUM
Zones: 9-11
Exposure: Part shade/full shade
Soil: Moist and acidic
Height: 6 inches to 3 feet
Spread: Up to 2 feet

2. Caladium plants, sometimes called angel wings, are well suited for small gardens or growing indoors.
Natives of South America, they offer an incredible range of colors, including green, white and red/pink.
 XANTHOSOMA
Zones: 8-10
Exposure: Part shade/full shade
Soil: Moist,yet well-drained and organically rich
Height: 2 to 4 feet
Spread: 1 to 4 feet
Natives of tropical America, Xanthosoma plants like very warm and humid weather. Like Colocasia, the
tubers of Xanthosoma are edible. This type of elephant ear is less common for growing in home gardens than
the other types.
Do elephant ear plants need sun or shade?
Elephant ears can survive in a site that receives full sun or partial shade, depending on the area, weather and
water supply. In cool and wet climates, full sun isn’t as harsh as in hotter or drier areas. Though, elephant ear
plants prefer filtered sunlight in both indoors and outdoors.
Caring for Elephant Ear Plants:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1n8wqu9xpc