Elephant Ear Bulbs

Elephant ear bulbs are divided into two commercial plant types: the Colocasa (taro), and the Alocasia. The colors of the elephant ear leaves generally are green, but hybrid elephant ears are grown with red, black, purple, and green leaf forms of yellow, white, and black markings on the leaves. The elephant ear bulb is technically a tuberous bulb or rhizome-type bulb and is called Elephant Ear because the leaves can grow 6 feet tall. Alocasia odora is commercially grown with upright pointing leaves. Black Magic elephant ear bulbs are easy to buy, plant, and grow in eclectic landscape designs. The giant elephant ear and Alocasia odora are fairly cold hardy, but can be stored as bulbs in the North. The Black Magic elephant ear bulb is cold hardy in Zone 8-11, and the black-purple leaf color forms a backdrop for perennials and bright colored annuals.