Colocasia esculenta
elephant's ears
Stately, heart-shaped, deep green leaves, which are marbled with subtle purple blotches and beautifully intersected with dark veins,...
1 × bulb
£9.99
available to order from winter
1
Plant description
Stately, heart-shaped, deep green leaves, which are marbled with subtle purple blotches and beautifully intersected with dark veins, are held grandly splayed out on jet black stems. An elegant and seductively hypnotic plant that will thrive in reliably moist soils.
Eventual height & spread
Plant features
Rate of growth
Fast-growing
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness
Frost tender
How to care for Colocasia esculenta:
Elephant's ears can be planted outside after frost, or started off in pots under glass in late winter to early spring. Plant the bulbs so that their growing tip is just above the soil surface (if there are no noticeable shoots or roots, the end with the concentric rings goes uppermost, while the end with the holes will produce the roots). Water sparingly initially and keep the compost warm. Provide adequate moisture during the growing season and lift the bulbs in autumn before the frosts (or if grown in pots, move them under warm glass) and keep the tubers dry and frost free throughout winter.
Warning
Harmful if eaten/skin & eye irritant
GOES WELL WITH
Simple but stylish protection
If rabbits, deer, squirrels or cats devour or scratch up your plants these wire mesh protectors will give them time to get established. The pyramid-shaped 'Rabbit Proof Cloche' and dome-shaped 'Squirrel Proof Cloche'
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