Elephant Ear
Colocasia esculenta
Traits
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Jul 25, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Elephant Ear
Elephant ear (Colocasia esculenta), also known as taro, is a tropical Asian perennial grown for its massive heart- to arrowhead-shaped leaves, which can reach several feet across. In NE Florida it is reliably perennial, dying back after frost and resprouting from corms in spring; numerous cultivars offer dramatic foliage in dark purple, black, and variegated forms. Note: UF/IFAS lists the straight species as invasive in Florida waterways — choose named non-spreading cultivars for landscape use. Starting at $19.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Loam, Clay, Acidic, Well-drained, Wet
Best planting months
Seasonal care
New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Bloom season. Higher water demand in summer heat.
Foliage may begin to change or drop. Ideal planting window.
Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Elephant ear tolerates full sun to full shade; in NE Florida's summer heat, part shade prevents leaf scorch and keeps foliage looking lush — morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal.
Elephant ear is a heavy water user and performs best in consistently moist to boggy soil; water frequently during NE Florida's dry season, and it will thrive along pond edges, rain gardens, or any site that stays reliably moist.
Plant in rich, moist loam or clay-loam soil with high organic matter; apply a slow-release balanced fertilizer or monthly liquid fertilizer during the growing season to fuel the rapid leaf production — corms overwinter in the ground in zone 9b and resprout in spring.
Similar needs
Cardinal Flower
Shares 4 of the same needs: similar light, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Swamp Milkweed
Shares 4 of the same needs: similar light, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Skyflower
Shares 3 of the same needs: similar light, high water, and loam.
Boltonia
Shares 3 of the same needs: similar light, high water, and loam.
Spider Lily
Shares 3 of the same needs: similar light, high water, and loam.
Mint
Shares 4 of the same needs: similar light, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
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Common questions
Is Elephant Ear a good plant for St. Augustine?
Elephant Ear is a perennial for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 3-6 feet × 3-5 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.