The Elephant Ears plant, known for their big leaf size and shape, grow from tubers which create corms. It is the corm that develops into an above-ground stem when the plant emerges from dormancy. The most widely available species is Colocasia esculenta. This species is an old standard for gardens, but there are numerous new cultivars of Colocasia on the market now, providing different variations in leaf coloration and texture.
Generally Colocasia are grown outside in semi-tropical and tropical areas (in my Zone 8, they survive year round in the ground). In northern states, they can tolerate full sun and thrive in humid weather. Grow them in fertile, humus-rich, moist or wet, slightly acidic soil (my yard is perfect in acidity for these plants). They also need plenty of water.
Here are my emerging Colocasia plants, growing up against my cedar fence in the front yard. They thrive at the base of my little pear tree, and I love their pink flowers this time of year.
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