Elephants in Captivity
Colocasia Esculenta are amazingly lush plants which can brighten up any garden. In summer several large leaves are produced which, in the wind, look like the nodding ears of large african elephants, hence the common name "Elephant Ear Plants".
A single mature plant can easily take up 20-30 sq foot of lush green growing area, 6 foot high. A few inexpensive tubers can turn a barren backyard into a lush tropical retreat from Florida to Maine.
Varieties
Several varieties of Colocasia Esculenta exist including related cousins called Alocasias and Xanthosomas (refer to Marge Talt's extensive article on the subject for the important differences). These all belong to a plant group called Ariods.
Today, varieties are available which are black, variegated, or have purple stems. Some grow from a fleshy root net and do not form tubers. The much coveted black leaved version "Illustris" is an example. Most green leaved elephant ears grow from a round or oval tuber which is very similar to a giant potato.
In fact, "Colocasia Esculenta" translates to "giant edibles"; you can even buy these tubers at the supermarket under such names as taro, dasheen, cocoyam, kalo, or malanga. But note: raw tubers are poisonous. The tubers are also be purchased from online garden nurseries and, in spring, from most garden centers and home improvement centers.
While other varieties are becoming increasingly popular, by far the most readily available types are types with the solid green leaves which grow from tubers. The Ariod experts will forever debate the differences between the various types. In my opinion it does not really matter. Whichever one you can get your hand on will do. The bulb varieties are easier to grow in cooler areas, though, as they store easily in the winter.
Tuber Sizes
In spring, cantaloupe sized tubers are available at a very reasonable prices at retail stores ($5-$10 per tuber). Smaller elongated oval tubers are also available in bags of 3 or more at very inexpensive prices. These are actually 1st year offsets (baby tubers produced by the mother tuber the previous season). Online, you can of course buy much larger tubers, including the more unusual types. The picture shows some first year offsets, regular (round) canteloupe sized tubers, and two much larger tubers.
Small offset-type tubers will typically produce 4-6 leaves in a season. Larger tubers will produce many more stems and leaves, and produce very impressive plants. The height of the plant and the size of the leaves are not affected by the size of the tuber, however. These factors are primarily determined by the amount of water, sunlight, and to some extend fertilizer given. The photo below show what the 3 small tubers from the photo above looks like in the middle of summer in full sun.
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