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Coal Miner ™ Elephant Ear - Colocasia
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Coal Miner ™ Elephant Ear - Colocasia

$18.99

+ Free Shipping

The Coal Miner elephant ear is a clone of Colocasia antiquorum from India. Sporting all the good looks of an Illustris, the Coal Miner also has some additional features: It gets 10-15 inches taller than Illustris, emerges two months earlier, and grows glossy, velvety leaves.

• Height when mature: 4-6 feet
• Light: Full to part sun.
• Soil: Rich well drained, keep moist, do not let dry out between waterings.
• Zones: 7-11

Pet Friendly? No

USDA Grow Zones 7-11

Water Req's Medium

Light Req's Full-Part Sun

Shop with confidence

Your plants are packed with the utmost care, but shipping can be stressful on the little guys.

That's why you have 30 days from the arrival date to experiment with them. If they don't bounce back, you're eligible for a refund.

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Elephant Ear Care

If it’s majesty and impressive size you’re after for your garden, Elephant Ears are a perfect choice. The leaves not only resemble the shape of an elephant’s ears but many also have leaves that seem almost elephant-sized. There are thousands of different varieties from dark-colored to light and from taller-than-you to perfect for your tabletop. Some elephant ears stand straight up; some droop; some are cup-shaped and catch drops of water. With traits that vary slightly and widely from each other, we’re sure you won’t be able to settle with just one. Our care guide will illustrate the various types, provide troubleshooting tips, and teach you how to care for your Elephant Ears. 

Three Different Species

There are three main Elephant Ear species. The technical difference between each species can only be determined at a microscopic level, but here are some observable characteristics of each type. 

Alocasia
Colocasia

If it’s majesty and impressive size you’re after for your garden, Elephant Ears are a perfect choice. The leaves not only resemble the shape of an elephant’s ears but many also have leaves that seem almost elephant-sized. There are thousands of different varieties from dark-colored to light and from taller-than-you to perfect for your tabletop. Some elephant ears stand straight up; some droop; some are cup-shaped and catch drops of water. With traits that vary slightly and widely from each other, we’re sure you won’t be able to settle with just one. Our care guide will illustrate the various types, provide troubleshooting tips, and teach you how to care for your Elephant Ears. 

Three Different Species

There are three main Elephant Ear species. The technical difference between each species can only be determined at a microscopic level, but here are some observable characteristics of each type. 

Alocasia
Colocasia

Xanthosoma

Leaves often point upright/horizontally Leaves hang or droop downward Leaves hang or droop downward
Tougher than other elephant ear species Leaves are thin and fragile when young Leaves are thin and fragile when young
Popular as houseplants More popular as outdoor plants More popular as outdoor plants
Diverse leaf shapes but generally pointy Rounded, heart-shaped leaves Heart-shaped leaves, arrow-shaped tips
& often quilted veins
Part sun to shade (Green-leafed
varieties prefer bright light.)
Like bright light but do well in shade Full to part sun
Like light water (Green-leafed
varieties prefer more water.)
Prefer heavy water Prefer light water
Like well-drained soil  Like heavy, loamy soil Like well-drained soil

Learn How to Care for Elephant Ears

Growing Alocasias

Growing Colocasias

Troubleshooting

Oh, no! My Elephant Ear Lost a Leaf!

Damaged leaves? 🍂 Don’t fret. It's really common for elephant ears to shed leaves, especially after being in a dark box. That's why many online sellers send them as corms (plant language for a bulb-like root) with no leaves. Because we know it's more satisfying to receive an actual plant, we aim to send ours with leaves. However, on occasion a leaf is damaged during shipping or some leaves die, but the underground rhizome is still alive and healthy and will grow new leaves relatively quickly. If you haven't already, repot and trim off any damaged or dead leaves a few inches from the base. You can even fertilize it. The leaves will quickly re-grow from the tubers. And you won’t even have to wait for the plant to mature. Even starter-size plants will produce new leaves. Check out our time-lapse to see just how quickly Elephant Ears can grow a new leaf; although timing can vary depending on the individual plant and the season, it will give you an idea of how these amazing plants grow.

My Elephant Ear is dead!

Your Elephant Ear may be dead, but then again, it might not be. Watch our time-lapse of a customer return. After just a few short days, the plant that sat in a box for 3 weeks and looked as "dead as a doornail," 😵 looked as good as new.

Shop Elephant Ears

Shop for Elephant Ears at Wellspring Gardens.

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We sell baby plants

Wellspring Gardens is the starter plant, AKA “baby plant” shop. We just get you started, so you get all the credit for raising your plants under your green thumb.

How tall are baby plants?

We aim to ship your plants when they’re 3-8” tall, though we often ship them taller than that.

What determines whether I get a 3-, 6-, or even 18-inch-tall plant?

The exact size of the plant we send you is variable on the time of year and how long we've been growing it out.

Customer Reviews

Based on 70 reviews
94%
(66)
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D
Diana

Tiny little fellows,but very healthy and happy and I'm happy with them😁

R
Ruby
Plant arrived quickly, perfectly packaged...

Plant arrived quickly, perfectly packaged and looking healthy.

L
LaTashia

Came in perfect condition with quick shipping. Highly recommend and would buy from them again! :)

K
Kellen
plant as described and very healthy

plant as described and very healthy

M
Makenna
Great seller. Healthy plants arrived.

Great seller. Healthy plants arrived.

D
Dena
My plant has already pushed out 3 new leav...

My plant has already pushed out 3 new leaves. When I received it, it had 2.

A
Aaron
Favorite seller. Plant looked good. Was sh...

Favorite seller. Plant looked good. Was shipped well. Would buy from again.

Elephant Ear Fuel supercharges Alocasia, Colocasia & Xanthosoma growth

Wellspring Gardens' Elephant Ear Fuel has the optimal fertilizer ratio for robust growth.

When you pair this 20-10-20 formula with optimal sunlight and water, Elephant Ear Fuel will help you raise your Elephant Ears to their full potential.

Elephant Ear Fuel Plant Fertilizer - Water-Soluble 20-10-20 - (1 or 2 LB bag)

Elephant Ear Fuel Plant Fertilizer - Water-Soluble 20-10-20 - (1 or 2 LB bag)

$23.49

Elephant Ear Fuel Plant Fertilizer - Water-Soluble 20-10-20 - (1 or 2 LB bag)

$23.49