Elephant Ear Plant Types Learn About Common Elephant Ear Plants

There are four types of plants called elephant ears: Colocasia, Caladium, Alocasia and Xanthosoma.

Colocasia – The first of the elephant ear plant types is Colocasia. ...
Caladium – Caladium is the name for common elephant ear plants found in nurseries. ...
Alocasia – Alocasia produces calla lily like blooms on 6-foot (2 m.)

Are there different types of elephant ear plants?

Do elephant ear plants need sun or shade?

Can elephant ears grow in full sun? Full sun is not ideal for most—they grow best in bright but indirect sunlight. Too much sunlight can burn the leaves, while too little sunlight can cause yellowing.

How do you identify elephant ear plants?

These elephant ears have glossy, blue-grey leaves with burgundy ribs and stems. The tips of the leaves point up toward the sky, creating a cupped area at the base that collects water. When full, the leaves turn downward and pour out the water. Elephant ears are available for planting from March through early June.

Do elephant ear plants take full sun?

Elephant Ears are tropical plants and cannot tolerate any frost. They only emerge when the soil is warm. Select a location in full sun or part sun with a good, rich, moist, organic soil.

Do elephant ear bulbs multiply?

When to Divide Elephant Ears

Elephant ears can become huge plants with gigantic leaves. Many spread through underground runners, or stolons, and send up baby plants along the way. ... Since it is not actively growing, the plant will be less stressed than if you divide it while it is in full growth mode.

Are elephant ears poisonous to touch?

Elephant Ear Plant Safety

The leaves and stems are the most toxic parts of the plants. Even touching them can cause skin irritation and itching, and if you get the sap in your eyes, your eyes will sting and burn for several hours. ... Elephant ear poisoning is rarely fatal, unless large amounts are eaten.

Do elephant ears need lots of water?

Water Considerations

Elephant ears are water-loving plants. They need at least moist, organically rich soil, but constantly moist soil is preferable, especially in warm months. You can decrease your watering schedule for the plants in winter, when they don't need as much water as they do other times of the year.

Do elephant ears like coffee grounds?

The caffeine in coffee also suppresses some plant growth and too much of it will suppress the growth of elephant ears. ... If you use coffee grounds as a mulch around your elephant ear plant it will block moisture from getting to the plant. There are, though, ways to minimize this effect.

Do elephant ears die in the winter?

Elephant ears will not survive freezing temperatures and are winter hardy only in zones 9-11. In colder areas, you can either treat elephant ears as annuals and discard them at the end of the growing season, or you can store the tubers indoors and replant them next year. ... Allow the tuber to continue to dry.

How often should you water elephant ears?

Plan on giving plants at least 2-3 inches of water per week. Fertilizing: Elephant ears are heavy eaters, as well as drinkers. Fertilize monthly with a general fertilizer of choice.

Why are my elephant ears small?

Each year they shrink more. When any bulbs come back smaller every year, that means there's something lacking in their culture. Usually it's nutrients.

Is alocasia an elephant ear?

Hard to miss in the garden, Alocasia (Elephant Ears) are robust evergreen rhizomatous or tuberous perennials with dramatic, large, arrow-shaped leaves. Standing upright (unlike those of Colocasia), they are so breathtaking, it is as if one plant could bring all the green in the world.

Where is the best place to plant elephant ears?

Elephant Ears perform best in sun or part shade. While most can be grown in partial shade, the darker colored varieties are best grown in full sun. Provide a sheltered location to protect the decorative leaves from strong winds.

Why do elephant ears drip water?

Water when the soil starts to feel a little dry. If your Elephant Ear plant gets too much water, it will let you know by “weeping” or dripping water from the tip of the leaf.

How do you winterize elephant ears?

It's a fairly simple process:

After your first frost, cut the stems to about 6 inches tall.
Put the tubers in a grocery bag, plastic pot or bulb rate and cover with a mix of peat moss and soil.
Add water to the container and store it in a cool, dark place to ensure the tuber stays dormant throughout the winter.

Can I use Miracle Grow on elephant ears?

Fertilize your mammoth elephant ear plant once a month during its growing season to promote vigorous growth. Apply a water-soluble, quick-release fertilizer like Bloom Plus, Miracle-Gro or Grow More according to package directions.

Do elephant ear plants grow fast?

No. For the size of the foliage, these are some of the fastest growing plants around. Although they are not winter hardy, they will grow and reach its full maturity of around 3-5 feet each summer in a stunning fashion.

Do elephant ears do well in pots?

These summer-loving plants grow from a bulb that should be planted in the spring. They take well to growing in pots, provided you follow a few guidelines. ... Larger pots also dry out more slowly than smaller pots, and elephant ears need consistently moist soil.

How big do black elephant ears get?

We no longer grow this plant

Botanical Pronunciation	kol-oh-KAY-see-uh es-kew-LEN-tuh
Average Size at Maturity	Reaches 5 to 6 ft. tall and wide.
Bloom Time	Inconspicuous
Deciduous/ Evergreen	Herbaceous
Foliage Color	Black

Will elephant ears kill dogs?

Elephant ears contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, toxic to dogs and cats. If your dog decides to take a nibble of this vegetation, the act of chewing or biting releases the crystals, which penetrate his tissues, leading to symptoms such as drooling, pawing at the face, foaming at the mouth and vomiting.

Is Elephant ear poisonous to dogs?

If elephant ear is ingested by your pet, it will cause increased salivation, difficulty swallowing, oral irritation, and vomiting. ... When ingested, this plant may cause vomiting, depression, a slowed heart rate, and a loss of coordination.