Tropical punch.

I LOVE elephant ears (Alocasia, Colocasia and Xanthosoma). I mean I REALLY love them. Maybe because I am a huge fan of foliage and you can’t beat their beautiful large, heart-shaped leaves which can be black, purple, emerald green, chartreuse, yellow, or a mix of colors. Even the stems deliver impressive colors.
 
Elephant ears always play a predominant role in my summer containers and the favorites get to spend the winter in my daughter’s (now empty) bedroom.
 
Alocasia and Colocasia are native to tropical southern Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea and parts of Australia, while Xanthosoma is native to tropical America. They are often grown for their edible, starchy corms or tubers. The leaves are also edible but, like the corms and tubers, need to be cooked as the plant contains needle-like crystals of calcium oxalate which are a skin irritant. If you are wondering how to tell Alocasia and Colocasia apart here’s a tip that works most of the time: Alocasia’s leaves usually face pointed end up (like an A), while Colocasia leaves usually face pointed end down. Alocasia typically has leaves that are shinier, while Colocasia leaves are matte or glossy.
 
Elephant ears play a major role on my back patio which is mostly shaded but they will also grow in filtered sun, provided they have enough moisture. In general greener types can take higher light levels. I find that the yellow-stemmed ‘Lutea’ prefers indirect light, so the leaves don’t scorch. Elephant ears like moisture and will grow very well at water’s edge. While fertilizing is not necessary, the more you water and fertilize the more they will grow. Currently on my patio I am enjoying ‘Calidora’, ‘Hilo Beauty’, ‘Metalhead’, ‘Lutea’ and ‘Frog in a Blender’. I am missing ‘Regal Shield’, a favorite from last year, which is a darker-leaved variety with beautiful veining. ‘Hawaiian Punch’ is another cool choice with pink
veining and stems.
 
They say that an elephant never forgets but trust me you will never forget elephant (ears) once you design with them.