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Commonly known as Elephant’s Ear or Taro, Colocasia esculenta is a tropical plant that functions as an annual in cold winter climates, and as a perennial in warm winter climates. Adaptable as a woodland edge plant, it is equally at home in a water garden setting and as a border to your walkway or drive. Huge heart shaped leaves are a delight to old and young alike. You will love including this in your garden this year.
Native to Eastern Asia, colocasia loves hot, humid weather. It is a runner, and will quickly fill in a space with additional plants if you let it. Its tall pendulous dark green leaves with distinctive veining provide a wonderful foil to a plethora of color annuals and perennials in your landscape garden, or perform equally well in large containers, either by themselves or as an upright interest with low to medium growing annuals.
Hey plant lovers! I’ve been absolutely obsessed with the Heart of the Jungle Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta) lately, and I just gotta share everything I know about this gorgeous tropical beauty. As someone who’s grown these showstoppers for years, I can tell you they’re totally worth adding to your garden or home. Let’s dive into all the juicy details!
What Makes Heart of the Jungle So Special?
Listen up, because this ain’t your average plant! Here’s what makes it super unique:
- Massive dark green leaves with purple-black veining
- Striking black stems that add drama
- Grows an impressive 3-5 feet tall AND wide
- Perfect “thriller” plant for containers or landscapes
- Creates instant tropical vibes wherever you plant it
Growing Requirements: What This Beauty Needs
Light & Location
This plant’s pretty flexible when it comes to light. It’ll do great in:
- Full sun (6+ hours)
- Part sun (4-6 hours)
- Both outdoor and indoor settings
Water & Soil
Y’all, this plant is thirsty! It needs
- Consistently moist soil
- Works great as a water plant
- Perfect for pond edges or bog gardens
- Regular watering during growing season
Tips for Growing Success
Here’s what I’ve learned from growing these beauties:
-
Container Growing
- Use large containers (at least 18″ diameter)
- Add rich, well-draining potting soil
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Feed regularly with water-soluble fertilizer
-
Landscape Growing
- Space plants 3-5 feet apart
- Great for creating borders
- Perfect focal point in tropical gardens
- Can spread through runners (heads up!)
-
Winter Care
Zone 8-11: Can stay in groundBelow Zone 8: Store tubers in winter
Maintenance Tips (It’s Actually Pretty Easy!)
Would you believe me if I told ya this plant is low maintenance? Well, it is! Here’s what you need to do:
- Water regularly (don’t let it dry out)
- Fertilize monthly during growing season
- Remove any yellow or damaged leaves
- Cut back stems after frost in cold regions
WARNING: Important Safety Notes
Gotta keep it real with y’all
- Not edible! (Even tho it’s called “esculenta”)
- Toxic to pets (keep away from curious cats and dogs)
- Can be harmful to humans if ingested
- Keep away from kids’ reach
Companion Planting Ideas
I love pairing Heart of the Jungle with:
- Surefire® Rose Begonias
- Colorful coleus varieties
- Trailing sweet potato vines
- Other tropical plants
Seasonal Care Guide
Spring
- Plant after last frost
- Start fertilizing
- Gradually increase watering
Summer
- Peak growing season
- Regular watering crucial
- Watch for pests (rarely a problem tho!)
Fall
- Continue regular care until frost
- Prepare for winter storage in cold regions
- Reduce watering gradually
Winter
For cold regions:
- Let frost kill top growth
- Cut back stems
- Dig up tubers
- Clean and dry tubers
- Store in peat moss (35-45°F)
- Label everything (trust me on this one!)
My Personal Experience
I gotta tell ya, when I first got my Heart of the Jungle, I was a bit nervous about growing such a big plant. But lemme tell you – it’s been one of the easiest and most rewarding plants in my garden! The way it grows is just amazing to watch, and my neighbors are always asking about it.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to add some serious wow factor to your garden or patio, Heart of the Jungle Elephant Ear is your plant! It’s perfect for:
- Creating tropical vibes
- Making a bold statement
- Adding height and structure
- Impressing your neighbors (for real!)
Remember, while it might look intimidating, it’s actually pretty easy to grow. Just give it enough water, some decent light, and watch it transform your space into a tropical paradise!
Happy planting, y’all! Drop me a comment if you’ve got any questions about growing this gorgeous giant – I’d love to help!
PS: Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for more plant care tips and tricks!
Heart of The Jungle Colocasia Care
Care is simple with colocasias. Moist, compost rich soil, regular waterings, and the occasional fertilizer is all you will need to provide to enjoy the spring to summer display. At the end of the season when frost kills the plant, trim the stems and dig up the tubers, wash and dry them and store them in a cool (35 to 45 degree) dark room wrapped in newspaper or stored in peat moss. Bring them out in spring after the danger of the last frost and enjoy the year after year display.
Deadheading is not required, and no pruning is needed unless colocasia starts to exceed its bounds. As a runner, you will have to interrupt the roots and dig out the offending plant, only to gift it to your envious neighbor or plant it elsewhere for an expanded appreciation of its vigor. This is the plant that keeps on giving.
Heart of The Jungle Colocasia Spacing
Spacing is important here due to the size of the plant. Growing up to 5 feet in height and spreading out 3 to 5 feet, give plants 3 to 5 feet of space to allow for the spread that is inevitable. Pair this plant with coleus, caladiums, ferns as well as impatiens for a colorful border or garden bed as this gentle giant will provide these low growing annuals the necessary shade they require.
Growing Colocasia Esculenta/Elephant Ear/Heart of the Jungle at our Backyard
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of elephant ear plants?
Other Problems with Elephant Ear Plants
The huge 4 foot (1 m.) tall, thick petioles have quite a job sustaining the large leaves, so some staking may be required. Without support, the broad leaves have a tendency to droop and cover lower growing plants. They also replace the old leaves as the plant matures.
What is the rarest elephant ear plant?
Max Variegata Elephant Ear Plant (alocasia macrorrhiza) This is a very rare elephant ear and is quite different from the typical. The incredibly large thickly sculpted glossy green leaves are held upright on dramatically rigid stems. The foliage is covered in white blotches.
How to care for the heart of the jungle plant?
Heart of The Jungle Colocasia Care
Care is simple with colocasias. Moist, compost rich soil, regular waterings, and the occasional fertilizer is all you will need to provide to enjoy the spring to summer display.