ELEPHANT’S EAR

Tropical plants related to Alocasia and Colocasia. Stemless plants grow to 6 feet tall and wide and produce big, arrow-shaped leaves on long stalks. Bloom intermittently throughout the year. Flowers are more curious than attractive, resembling those of calla (Zantedeschia), with a central spike surrounded by a usually greenish or yellowish bract. These plants need moist, rich, well-drained soil for best performance. Protect from hard frosts. Indoors, grow in large pots and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks during active growth; reduce watering and feeding in winter.

arrowleaf elephant's ear

xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger

• Probable hybrid, but parentage is uncertain.
• Sometimes sold as Xanthosoma aurea.
• Grows quickly to 34 feet tall, with chartreuse to lime-green, arrow-shaped leaves that can reach 112 feet long.

xanthosoma sagittifolium

• Dark green, 3 feet-long leaves on 3 feet stalks.
• Greenish white, 7- to 9 inches-long bracts.
• Lanceolatum has lance-shaped blackish green leaves.
• Leaves and leafstalks of 'Yellow Leaf' have a golden cast.

blue taro

xanthosoma violaceum

• Grows from edible, pink-fleshed tubers.
• Dark green leaves to 2 feet long have paler undersides, purplish veins and margins, powdery appearance.
• Purple, 212 feet leafstalks have a heavy, waxy, bluish or grayish coating.
• Yellowish white bracts to 1 feet long.