A Comprehensive Guide To Elephant Ear Plants

Colocasia, referred to by most people as Elephant Ears Plants, is a kind of plant that can most certainly be called a tropical plant.

It earns this title because of its attractively big heart-shaped leaves that lend drama to any garden. It can range from the gross subtleties of greens, purples, and blacks, giving one's imagination lots of room for creating diverse palettes.

This guide gives comprehensive instructions on growing and caring for the Elephant Ear Plants in brief.

Understanding Colocasia Plant

Colocasia belongs to the family known as Araceae. They are found in the tropical areas of the southeastern part of Asia. They have broad, velvety leaves several meters long on average.

All of them grow from the corm, which is a tuber-like stem underground storing food reserve, making this plant survive through winter in other parts of the world.

Exploring the Different Varieties of Elephant Ear Plants

There are different types of elephant ear plants, and each of these will have something special about it. 

• Colocasia gigantea: The big and mature leaves of this species can often be as much as several feet wide, truly a species to make a big impression in the landscape.

• Colocasia esculenta: This is the most common species, encompassing many popular cultivars. 'Black Magic' is a popular variety with nearly black leaves, while 'Mojito' displays striking green leaves splashed with purple.

• Colocasia 'Hilo Beauty': Popularly considered an Alocasia sometimes, this hybrid is much famed for its variegated and splashed creamy white over a dark green background.

How to Properly Grow and Care for Colocasia? 

Along with knowing about elephant ear plant types, it is also important to focus on the tips that will make it easier for you to grow the plant. 

• Locally: Colocasia loves the warm, humid conditions of the area. They also vary according to the species, preferring from full sun to partial shade. Direct sunlight burns the leaves too often, while too little light makes them leggy. 

• Soil: The well-draining rich soil should be provided. Enrich the soil with compost and other organic matter. Those are the things that increase fertility as well as keep the moisture in.

• Planting: You should plant the elephant ear plants corms in spring after the frost finally passes, with the growing point facing upwards and bury them a few inches deep. 

• Watering: Colocasia loves water. Always ensure the soil remains wet, be it during hot, dry seasons or even the absolute standing water, as it can cope with being either placed near a pond edge or in a bog garden. 

• Feeding: Thus, by regular fertilizer application, you promote good lush growth of plants. A view of using a balanced fertilizer every two to three weeks in a growing season is advisable. 

Beautiful and easy to take care of, Colocasia seems to be for any gardener wishing to take his garden tropically. Everything concerning their needs, along with the proper selection of the variety, ensures that one can enjoy these stunning beauties for years to come.

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