Tiger / Zebra Elephant Ear - Alocasia zebrina

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.