Elephant's ears are lush, tropical accents that look good in any climate. These elephant's ears are hardier than their close relatives (alocasias) and their leaves are heart-shape and larger. When summer's warm weather arrives, they grow fast, achieving a large spread of at least 5 feet. Colocasias languish in drought but thrive in wet soils.
Taro Overview
More varieties for Taro
Elephant's ear
Colocasia esculenta is also called taro. The plant bears large clumps of heart-shape, matte green leaves. The plant grows 5 feet tall. Zones 7-11
Black elephant's ears
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' offers majestic purple-black leaves that grow 2 feet long on a clumping plant that spreads 6 feet tall by wide. Zones 8-11
'Illustris' elephant's ears
Colocasia esculenta 'Illustris' bears showy black leaves veined in emerald green. Grow it in part shade to intensify the black leaf coloring. It grows 6 feet tall and wide. Zones 8-11