The huge heart-shaped leaves of the elephant ear plant make it a favorite of gardeners around the world. This tropical plant comes in a range of species with different sizes and colors. So, if you, too, are looking forward to growing one, here are the best Types of Elephant Ear Plants!
1. Alocasia
Alocasia is an evergreen perennial that is widely grown for its big, heart-shaped foliage with black, bronze, and dark purple streaks. In suitable conditions, alocasia grows fast. It is necessary to know that the leaves are toxic to humans and animals. Alocasia grows best in bright, indirect sunlight and moist soil.
Varieties of Alocasia
Alocasia has 70 hybrid varieties. All species prefer bright dappled sunlight, adequate moisture, and humid conditions. The popular types are:
2. Colocasia
Colocasia is one of the best types of elephant ear plants you can grow! The big, peltate leaves can reach up to 2-3 feet long and 1-2 feet wide. It grows quite fast, reaching up to 6-8 feet tall. The plant thrives well in indirect sunlight.
Varieties of Colocasia
There are about 200 varieties of colocasia. Some species are considered invasive.
- Black Magic is the most enticing variety, with vast blue-black foliage. It produces red-orange color flowers and grows up to 3-5 feet tall.
- Black stem prefers a sunny, shaded location with enough moisture. It is an easy to grow variety.
- Elena has similar olive green leaves like ‘lime zinger.’
- Diamond Head looks splendid with its luminous blue-black leaves. Plant it in full sun for best color. It grows up to 3-5 feet tall.
- Hawaiian Punch variety favors containers. It reaches up to 2-3 feet in height with beautiful lime green foliage and dark red veins on the backside.
- Colocasia Mojito has attention-grabbing, variegated leaves. It goes up to 2-3 feet tall and loves partial shade.
- Colocasia Coffee cups grow with sparkling blue-grey leaves, pointed towards the sky and round from the base.
- Colocasia Esculenta or ‘Taro‘ is famous in Asian cuisines. Both its roots and leaves are edible.
3. Caladium
You can grow it is as an edging plant in shaded locations. The arrow-shaped leaves have a stunning mix of green and purple colors, that makes it one of the most beautiful plants that you can grow indoors in containers. The plant reaches up to 2-3 feet in height with leaves growing up to 8-12 inches. Keep it in partial sunlight for best growth.
Varieties of Caladium
Here are some of the best types you can go for!
- Pink Symphony grows beautiful delicate leaves that like shade and sun both.
- Iceberg has variegated leaves that manage shade and the sun very well.
- Rose Glow variety is ideal for shaded areas. It grows pink-white and green foliage.
- Carolyn Whorton has bright purple blotches over the green leaves.
- Miss Muffet is a dwarf variety with incredible, paper-thin, and translucent leaves.
- Postman Joyner, with its red leaves and scarlet veins, looks stunning!
- Red Flash has smoky, green leaves with bright flashes of red.
- Candyland has pink dashes on its leaves with green borders.
4. Xanthosoma
Xanthosoma is native to tropics of America and mainly grown for their edible leaves and roots. These species grow in blue-green, heart-shaped shiny leaves. It grows best in bright, indirect sunlight. It requires a humid and warm condition, temperature above 60 F (15 C) is considered good.
Varieties of Xanthosoma
There are approx 75 species of Xanthosoma. The ones with beautiful and dazzling foliage are:
‘Xanthosoma Lime Zinger‘ from X. sagittifolium, is a popular variety that grows in dazzling blue-green foliage.
‘Xanthosoma Mouse cup Taro’(Variegatum Monstrosum) from Xanthosoma atrovirens species, looks attractive with big dark green leaves, in rare white variegation. It reaches up to 5-7 feet tall.
‘Xanthosoma Lindenii’ is one of the most beautiful varieties that grow up to 18-20 inches long in a green shade with white-silver veins.
‘Xanthosoma Violaceum‘ is also called as blue taro and black malanga. It has large, dark green leaves that are also edible.
‘Xanthosoma Brasiliense‘ is also known as tahitian spinach, tahitian taro, and tannier spinach. This variety is edible and needs to be cooked before consumption due to high calcium oxalate content present in them.
Dakaino Tiki
September 1, 2020 At 5:11 pm
I am,a lover of elephant ear plants since my teenage years because my father was a gardeners with the missionary,i want learn more and start a garden
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I am,a lover of elephant ear plants since my teenage years because my father was a gardeners with the missionary,i want learn more and start a garden
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