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Elephant ear plants are one among many other greenery plants that don’t need to flower to reward your garden or deck with beauty and matchless ecstatic.
So, whether you are looking forward to incorporating another plant in your garden or want to enhance the looks of your home, the elephant ear plant would serve its purpose with minimal effort from you.
Elephant ears grow faster when they are in their best condition. However, they do better in late summer and early fall than many plants.
Now, if you are looking forward to adding this plant to your décor or garden, stick to this guide to learn about the different types of elephant ear plants!
What Are Elephant Ear Plants?
Elephant ear plants are a common set of tropical perennial plants grown for their heart-shaped leaves. There are three elephant ear plants; Xanthosoma, Alocasias, and colocasia, but the two most famous varieties of elephant ear plants are Alocasias and colocasia.
They are grown in different conditions. Whilst Alocasia prefers well-drained soil and a little shade, colocasia prefer full sun and consistent moisture to thrive.
There are several uses for elephant ear plant, and because they serve different purposes to people, it has become so versatile. Alocasias are primarily grown in Southern Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, and some parts of Australia. Xanthosoma is native to tropical America.
No matter the variety, elephant ear plant would most certainly outperform your wildest imagination because it does well in favorable conditions.
So, let’s say you want an elephant ear plant in your garden or home; which plant would you go for? There are types of elephant ear plants to choose from, and you cannot afford to plant any randomly; let’s dive into learning about the types of elephant ear plants.
Different Types Of Elephant Ear Plants
1. Colocasia esculenta
Also known as taro, colocasia esculenta is a tender herbaceous perennial from the arum family. This type of elephant ear plant is easier to find compared to many other styles, the colocasia esculenta is native to Eastern Asia, and there are over 200 species.
So you would always have options looking for the species that complement your preference.
The colocasia has impressive leaves, reaching up to three feet and two feet wide. And like other types of elephant ear plants, it will most likely reward your efforts with beautiful ecstatic that you cannot ignore.
How can you care for colocasia plants when you plant them? Ideally, colocasia esculenta would prefer to be in full sun; however, be careful not to expose it to the scorching sun. You must also water the plant consistently for it to grow up to eight feet tall.
2. Diamond Head
Colocasia esculenta Diamond Head is yet another type of elephant ear plant to consider if you want to add different looks to your garden; the color of this plant differs significantly from many other plants.
No wonder it is primarily grown for its spectacular foliage. The colocasia esculenta Diamond Head still has heart-shaped leaves, but this time it is chocolate, glossy and ruffled. The leaves of this plant droop and point towards the ground.
If you are looking for a plant that would, without too much effort, add compelling and brighter color to your garden, consider Diamond Head. The plant grows up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
How can you care for Colocasia esculenta Diamond Head? For best performance, leave your plant in full sun and partial shade; to grow ideally, consider growing them in rich, moist and wet soils. Try to protect the leaves from harsh weather.
If you grow them in the garden, please look out for insects like the glasshouse, red spider mites, aphids and whitefly.
3. Black magic
The black magic variety is excellent if you want a plant that attracts people. The dusky, blue-black leaf makes this elephant ear plant stand out even more. The plant usually grows 3 to 5 feet tall.
If you want to see your garden bask in the beauty, place contrasting flowers like orange, red or yellow and be grateful you did.
How do you take care of the black magic plant? Colocasia esculenta black magic does well in organically rich and moist soil. Feed the ground with enough nutrients, which would reward your effort.
The more you feed them, the larger and better they grow. Look out for pests, as they are likely to affect your plant’s growth.
4. Mojito Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta)
Here’s another excellent elephant ear plant you can add to your garden. The leaves of the Mojito elephant ear plant are green with bold speckled foliage. The plant can reach up to two feet long if it is in good shape.
Adding greenery to outdoor spaces is possible with the Mojito elephant ear plant. They are not restricted to outdoor areas, so be free to make them a house plant too.
How do you take care of elephant ear plants? This plant is easy to grow. However, it would do best if it is left in the morning sun to full shade; it needs water to thrive; however, be careful not to overwater it. When the plant is mature, expect 24 to 36 inches in height.
5. Black stem
If this is your first time trying out any plant, we highly suggest you go for the black stem plant; it is also an elephant ear plant that you can proudly grow in your home or garden effortlessly.
The black stem is easily maintained and can tolerate neglect to an extent. Their leaves are tough and will not wither even in the shade.
Growing this type of elephant ear plant is simple, and you would not go through any hassle caring for the plant; you would only need to give the plant the sufficient nutrient it needs for its growth.
So, even if it is your first time owning a plant, you can start with a black stem because it is not labor-intensive!
6. Illustris Elephant Ear
Unlike the Mojito elephant ear, the illustris elephant leaves are enormous and fully highlighted with a darker color, yet they are stunning.
The plant does not require high maintenance for it to grow; however, if it is in a favorable condition, it will grow graciously without any stress. Illustris elephant ear can grow up to 3 to 6 feet in height and width.
How to care for an illustris elephant ear? Illustris elephant ear plant is a type of ear plant that loves shade. However, it can do well even in dappled sunlight; provided the plant is cared for from the initial stage, it would tolerate boggy conditions.
7. Caladium
Caladium is a go-to plant if you are obsessed with beautifying your home or garden; it would reward your gardening with bursting colors.
Caladium is yet another type of elephant ear plant commonly known as angel wings; its unique features make it outstanding, just like every other elephant ear.
The foliage plants are quite a sight to behold, and just like other elephant ear plants, they are large and heart-shaped, and the leaves are lavishly endowed with various colors like red, pink, green and white.
To grow caladium in your garden, you should learn how to care for caladium elephant ear plant.
8. Tea Cup
Add Colocasia tea cups to your garden and have them blossom when you take care of them. Teacup is a unique elephant ear plant with glossy, blue-grey leaves, burgundy ribs and stems.
Unlike most elephant ear plants that are primarily pointing downwards, the teacup is just as the name implies, it is upright, and when it collects about a cup of water, it drops.
How to care for teacup elephant ear plant: tea cup will do best in a sun-to-part sun location, but ensure you protect the foliage from strong wind or further damage.
9. Pink Symphony
The pink symphony will do better as a house plant because it will grace your décor with vibrant colors. Pink-symphony is also an elephant ear plant; it bursts in pink colors, with the supporting color—green.
To care for pink symphony, you should grow this plant without direct light. You should fertilize the plant regularly when you notice new growth. If you care for this plant well, it would reward your effort by;
- Purifying the air in your home with their lush leaves
- Adding calming effects to your décor because of their added humidity.
You have no reason to worry, even if you’ve never cared for a plant before, but you need to work around having and keeping one. Pink symphony plant is easy to care for and would only require a little of your attention at the initial stage.
10. Iceberg
Don’t be disappointed if you only expect to see large leaves when it comes to elephant ear plants because many of them can only grow to a specific size. This plant can be as small as 3 inches; however, it can grow to about 3 feet in diameter.
If you intend to grow a larger plant, consider checking the root of the iceberg plant when you buy it; the root’s size determines the plant’s size.
11. Red Flash
The red flash elephant ear plant is a great plant that is perfect for setting your design apart with its uniquely shaped leaves. Like every other plant, it requires that you care for it so it can grow well.
Although many elephant ear plants are incapable of bearing flowers, the red flash would reward your little efforts with small white flowers throughout the year.
Don’t worry. It only requires a little effort for the plant to grow, and if you want to keep your eyes on it 24/7, you should grow it as an indoor plant.
12. Rose Glow
Rose glow plant is another type of elephant ear plant that you should consider having in or around your home. The plant can grow up to 3 feet long without much effort. But if you intend to see your plant do well, you should find a corner with good light.
Note: rose glow elephant ear prefers direct sunlight for it to grow well, water the plant consistently, especially when the soil is dry; you can test this by placing your hand deep, around 2 inches.
Try not to overwater the plant, or it stands a chance of suffering root rot. Please do not ignore the plant for long, as drought can affect it.
13. Alocasia
Earlier in this guide, we stated the varieties of elephant ear plants, and Alocasia is one of them.
This plant is one of the most famous elephant ears for indoor plants. And like Colocasia, they are also easy to maintain; they can work in various settings. You should not worry about watering the plant constantly as that can damage the plant.
14. Amazonica
If you are in a region with high humidity, don’t hesitate to get this elephant ear plant; you can never go wrong with it. The plant would do well when you leave them in a moist environment.
You should water the plant regularly so the foliage will not dry quickly. If you are planting with a container, keep your eyes on the plant, so the plant does not experience drought or other damage.
15. Lime Zinger
Here’s another elephant ear plant that requires a little effort to thrive. The leaves are unique and would, in a flinch, change the looks of the room or house when you use it as a house plant. It is not hard to find, and you can easily incorporate it into your garden.
Conclusion
There are different types of elephant ear plants, making it easy for any gardener, whether experienced or not, to choose.
One thing that is quite notable in all is that they are easy to maintain. But there is one thing that you must consider before getting any elephant ear plant.
Since Alocasia would prefer well-drained soil and a little shade, ensure your environment can offer that to your plant, and since colocasia prefers full sun and consistent moisture to thrive, be quick to give the plant what it needs to survive.
Now that you know the types of elephant ears, we hope you make a great choice when it is time to pick one for your garden.
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