Elephant ear plant are known for their super - sized heart - shaped foliage that can farm up to 3 metrical foot long . They make a bold program line in any garden or container . While the most common elephant ear varieties have green parting , there are some stunning dark purple varieties that will really make your plantings toss off . In this article , we ’ll research why you should view adding one of these dramatic beauties to your own garden .
What is a Dark Purple Elephant Ear Plant?
Elephant auricle belong to the Araceae family which includes calla lilies and tail-flower . There are 3 main type – Colocasia Alocasia , and Xanthosoma . The black empurpled diversity are most commonly Colocasia , specifically C. esculenta .
These tropical works grow from Tuber , standardized to dahlias or canna lily Their innate home ground is swamps and pool in tropic Southeast Asia , so they appreciate warm , humid environment
The dark purplish diversity have cryptic burgundy to nearly black leaf and stems . The undersides of the leaves often have an attractive greyish bluish “ blossom ” when new . The leave of absence emerge with a bit more purple paint when the plant life is grown in full sun . In mystifying specter , they may seem more green .
Popular sour violet elephant ear sort include
Why Grow a Dark Purple Elephant Ear?
There are so many reasons to add one of these showstopper to your garden :
They Provide Drama and Contrast
With leaves up to 3 foot across , elephant spike certainly make a affirmation ! The topnotch - saturated purple - black foliage provides incredible dramatic play and visual impact . They bet spectacular paired with plants that have silver , chartreuse , or bright colored leaf . snowy and pink flowering works also pop against the dark leaves .
Unique Texture
In addition to the expunge color , elephant ears have a cool , velvety leaf texture . As the leaves issue , they have a beautiful sheen that catches and reflects the light . The bold , tropical look pair perfectly with delicate ferns and airy grasses .
Size Matters
Do you have a blank bulwark or boring fencing that needs some pizazz ? establish a benighted purple elephant ear in front of it and let the immense leave ferment their conjuring trick . The plant will draw the optic and unnoticeable unattractive position . Elephant ear also work well at pool edges and in arena that need a mass boost .
Low Maintenance
Once established , these tropic plants are quite unfussy . In fact , overwatering is more probable to be an exit than underwatering with elephant ears . They pump out those enormous leaves even in poor land . Just be certain to provide passable wet for best growth .
Fast Growers
You do n’t need to wait constantly for elephant ears to make an impact . They emerge chop-chop in spring and produce apace , often bestow a novel leaf each week under ideal conditions . In strong mood , they reach mature size of it in a exclusive season .
Winter Interest
After the first frost , allow for the foliage to conk back by nature , then tailor the stalk to the priming . The tuberous root can stay in the ground over winter in zones 7 - 10 . In cold climates , stab them up and store inside . The deadened leaves and stalk left standing allow for architectural interest in the winter garden . The dark colour contrasts nicely with hoarfrost and snow .
Wildlife Value
butterfly and hummingbird are attracted to the unequaled blooming of elephant ears , though not all varieties flower . Goldfinches will junket on the seeded player . The large leaves also provide tax shelter for toad and frogs .
How to Grow Dark Purple Elephant Ears
Though they hail from tropical habitats , elephant ears are surprisingly easy to maturate . Here are some crown for achiever :
Planting
Plant tubers in leap after the last rime particular date . Soak first if they seem wither .
toil a jam and amend the dirt with compost if needed to improve drainage . Elephant ear detest soggy soil .
Set the tuber 2 - 3 column inch inscrutable with the growth buds pointing up . Backfill and tamp down lightly .
place plant life 3 - 5 feet apart depending on matured size of it .
Care
Provide at least 6 hours of sun for skilful color . Morning sunlight is ideal .
Keep soil moist but not soggy . Mulch to preserve wet .
Apply a balanced melted plant food every 2 - 3 weeks during active ontogenesis .
Stake improbable form if needed . Remove damage leaves and stalks as needed .
In zones 7 - 10 , result etymon in ground over winter . In cold zones , comprehend up genus Tuber after frost and stock dry over winter .
disunite crowded clumps every 2 - 3 eld in former saltation .
Troubleshooting
Elephant ears are not prone to many outcome , but may experience :
foliage muscae volitantes or blight – improve air circulation and avoid wetting foliage
Chewed foliage – apply organic insecticidal grievous bodily harm spray for pestilence
moulder genus Tuber – ensure good drainage and meliorate soil if needed
The Best Dark Purple Varieties
There are many stunning glowering leaved elephant ear varieties to prefer from . Here are some of the best :
Black Magic
The poster small fry for dark elephant ears , Black Magic has gorgeous blackish - purple leaves with lighter veins held on penny-pinching - black stem . It reaches a average height of 3 - 4 feet . Leaves have a nice ruffled edge when mature . One of the most popular and easily available varieties .
Black Sapphire
ably named Black Sapphire has gem - toned foliage so dark it appears black . It work a large clump up to 5 base tall . New leaves go forth with a prominent metal sheen .
Black Ripple
This summary variety raise just 2 - 3 foot tall , pretend it ideal for container . The leaf start thick purple and become virtually black . They have crinkly , ruffled bound that flit in the zephyr .
Fontanesii
Also known as the black root word elephant pinna , Fontanesii has graceful leaves that can reach 6 foot across ! stem and leafage veins are black . Leaves are more light-green - purple with unique turtle shell - shape darker situation .
Illustris
A breathtaking variety , Illustris has graciously maneuver leaves with bright royal undersides . The top sides are so deep purple they look black . It can reach monumental balance up to 8 foot tall !
Designing With Dark Purple Elephant Ears
Here are some ideas to urge on you :
geminate them with chartreuse sweet potato vine for gamey dividing line
Underplant with silver Dusty Miller
ruffle them into a tropical perimeter with cannas and banana
Edge a pond with them for strong vertical interest group
Use as a focal point in a orotund container with trailing plants like Scaevola
Plant in rows along a fencing alternating with variegated casing peppiness
Use as a luxuriant background for white blossom plant like Mandevilla
In addition to append drama , disconsolate purple elephant pinna offer huge tropical appealingness with their sheer leaves and height . If you have a vacuous bulwark , boring fence , or lacklustre border solicit for something particular , think elephant auricle ! Their fast growth , lowly maintenance , and winter interest group make them a garden superstar . With so many outstanding dreary varieties to select from , there is one perfect for your own garden ’s need . Just be sure to provide equal moisture and Sunday for these beautiful beauties to thrive .
Develop an even greener thumb
introductory flora tutelage instructions are included with every single plant .
Plant care information on our website is direct by category . Care information specific to banana , carnivorous plants , flying dragon yield , pomegranate tree , etc . , can be discover there .
Seven days to regrow
There are three types of Elephant Ear plants. The technical difference between each species can only be determined at a microscopic level, but here are some observable characteristics of each type.
SPOTLIGHT-Black Coral Colocasia! // Fav Elephant Ear // Tropical Plant Party
What is a imperial elephant ear plant life ?
The smooth purple elephant ear leaves grow up to 2 ft . ( 0.6 m ) long and have the classic arrowhead shape . The dark empurpled Taro plant creates a stunning focal point in tropical gardens . Plant Colocasia esculenta ‘ Black legerdemain ’ in fond sun and moist territory .
What does a purple elephant ear look like ?
The elephant ear ‘ Black Magic ’ has drooping majestic - Negroid leave of absence . The stunning drab purple leaves can sometimes wait velvety black . The smooth purple elephant ear leaves grow up to 2 ft . ( 0.6 m ) long and have the classic arrowhead physical body . The grim purple Taro plant produce a stunning focal full stop in tropic garden .
What color are elephant ear get out ?
The leaf of elephant pinna can have various colors such as green , shameful , pink , cerise , pick , and purpleness . It does n’t matter which case of elephant spike flora you arise . The magnificent arrow- or gist - influence leaves will make your backyard or interiors look like a tropical landscape .
Do elephant ear plant look like Xanthosoma ?
Typically , Alocasia and Xanthosoma leaves manoeuvre upward or outward . Species of Colocasia and Caladium have showy folio that point to the ground . The leave of elephant pinna can have various colors such as green , black-market , pinkish , ruby-red , pick , and purple . It does n’t matter which case of elephant ear industrial plant you maturate .
