2 named cultivars

bulb corm tuber

Giant Elephant's Ear

The Story

Plant Bio

Colocasia gigantea, the giant elephant's ear, is a clump-forming perennial from southeastern Asia growing four to seven feet high and as wide. Enormous heart-shaped leaves, matt green and held on thick upright stalks, are the entire display. Yellowish-white spathes appear low among the foliage from April to June and are easily missed.

The leaves are large enough to be shredded by wind, so a sheltered position matters as much as the moisture it demands. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals that burn the mouth if chewed, so despite its close relatives being food crops, site it away from where children play and never treat it as edible.

Uses & Benefits:

Leaves large enough to change the scale of a planting, giving an instant tropical effect.

Thrives in boggy ground and pond margins where few large ornamentals succeed.

Dense summer canopy shades and cools damp ground and pond edges.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Bulb Corm Tuber

Height

72 inches

Width

84 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

High

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Southeastern Asia

Toxicity

Toxic if ingested raw

Planting

How to Grow

Plant after the last frost in rich, moist to wet soil.
Choose a sheltered position out of strong wind.
Give full sun to part shade, with shade in hot regions.
Water heavily; it will grow in boggy ground.
Feed generously through the growing season.
Lift and store the tubers over winter below zone 8.

Pro Tip

Shelter matters more than most gardeners expect; a single windy site turns the leaves to tatters by midsummer.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Keep the soil constantly moist to wet 💧
Site it out of strong wind 🌬️
Feed it generously in growth 🌿
Lift and store tubers in cold regions ❄️

Don't

Let the soil dry out at any stage ❌
Plant it in an exposed, windy spot ❌
Treat it as edible; the raw plant burns the mouth ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Feed
Lift

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Bold tropical accent beside a patioMarshy pond margin plantingLarge container specimen

Companion Plants

CannaBanana Caladium LigulariaJapanese Forest Grass

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Giant Elephant's Ear questions

What zones can Giant Elephant's Ear grow in?

Giant Elephant's Ear is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Giant Elephant's Ear deer resistant?

Yes — Giant Elephant's Ear is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Giant Elephant's Ear bloom?

Giant Elephant's Ear typically blooms in mid to late spring; flowers inconspicuous through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Giant Elephant's Ear need full sun?

Giant Elephant's Ear does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.