Colocasia is a tender perennial that cannot survive winter months in many places. If it is a colocasia=bulb I dig it, clean it, let it dry then store in brown paper bags filled with saw dust of non treated wood and store in a cool dark location in the basement. so do not sit them in water like you might on a Colocasia - but keep them moist and do not allow them to dry out for long. ‘Yellow Splash’ – is a yellow and green variegated type heavily splashed with creamy yellow patterns. We teach, learn, lead and serve, connecting people with the University of Wisconsin, and engaging with them in transforming lives and communities. This item prefers moist well drained soil at all times. The older leaves that gradually die off can be removed to keep the plants looking tidy. The first two genera are native to tropical southern Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, parts of Australia, or the Pacific Islands, while Xanthosoma is native to tropical America. Cut back all but the top two leaves and keep at room temperature in bright light. These plants add the color needed to punch up a garden in certain spots. Crapemyrtle – Which … The larger species will form tuberous like trunks with age. alocasia xanthosoma mickey mouse care Alocasia leaves stretch upwards while the colocasia hang downwards from the stalk. Many of these large species and hybrids have giant hastate like leaves that point upward and grow 4 to 5 feet long. If you want to grow an elephant ear in a half-day sun to a shader site, grow Alocasia or the smaller caladium. The petiole attaches at the notched edge of the leaf. Some other elephant ear types that grow well here in deep shade include; Alocasia macrorrhizos A. - its in between what i have below for Alocasia VS Colocasia This item is a xanthosoma = kind of a cross between the 2 - rich well drained soil but kept constantly moist. This got me wondering about the difference between an Alocasia and a Colocasia, and I realized I had no idea. Both of these plants’ common name is elephant ear, and both are similar in size, growing to 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m). These fabulous foliage plants add dramatic contrast with both the size and color of the leaves and their form. The plants spread by underground runners. Most Colocasia seem to like higher light levels. Make Topiary Using Spanish Moss? One of the most widely grown species is C.esculenta, called taro and many other common names. Gardeners should stick with Alocasia species. The color leaks from the center down the main vein into the surrounding blade to eventually form an oval shape. Rare Variegated Mickey Mouse Alocasia Xanthosoma Albo Marginata Live Plant. Colocasia and Alocasia Elephant Ears These caladium relatives include Alocasia, Colocasia. In cooler climates elephant ears are grown for their large leaves. Xanthosoma is an herbaceous perennial from tropical America. The Alocasia are simply too large for me to get inside so I plant them in a one gallon pot and plant that in a very large decorative container or sink it into the ground. Alocasia and colocasia, better known as ‘elephant ears’, belongs to the same family of Araceae. 1. Chinese hibiscus and mandevillea, but they also provide wonderful textural contrast with more typical temperate bedding plants, ferns, or ornamental grasses. See item details. Unlike Alocasia, these two genera have members that hold their leaves generally perpendicular, or at right angles, to the petioles supporting them. A popular cultivar is ‘Hilo Beauty’. Alocasia are from Asia (albeit mainly warmer SE Asia but also into China and in some cases Japan) but Colocasia and Xanthosoma are definitely South American 'Elephant Ears'. Xanthosoma belongs to the Arum (or Araceae) family of plants, sometimes called aroids. This species naturalizes readily in wetlands in mild climates and is considered an invasive species along the Gulf Coast. ‘Coffee Cups’ (sometimes incorrectly called ‘Tea Cups’) – is a vigorous hybrid with smaller leaves on very tall dark petioles with the blades folded upward to form a cup-shape. All need rich, moist soil and nearly all are perfect at the edge of a pond. Grower's Tips . Xanthosoma is a genus of flowering plants in the arum family, Araceae.The genus is native to tropical America but widely cultivated and naturalized in other tropical regions. Most of these herbaceous species in the arum or aroid family (Araceae) that are offered as ornamentals belong to the genera Colocasia, Alocasia, and Xanthosoma, although there are others that have similar appearance and growth habits. ‘Fontanesii’ (violet-stemmed taro) – is a tall hybrid with dark green leaves with a shiny black cast on dark petioles. webName: "uwexces", Dominion – Use for Azalea Lacebug. ‘Burgundy Stem’ – is a tall cultivar with deep purple petioles topped with big green leaves with a slight purple tinge. ©2020 Walter Reeves / The Simple Gardener, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Elephant ears and Taro are names that are used for the large-leaved tropical plants. Between an Alocasia and Colocasia dull green leaves on pinkish stems Series with green! Taro are herbaceous perennials with large leaves up to 6 feet in length are large differences between Colocasia/Xanthosoma Alocasia... Names that are used for the edible starchy corms or tubers as an important staple food in regions! Commonly confused with elephant ear ( Xanthosoma sagittifolium ) a little internet research I found the most important difference Alocasia..., colorful caladiums be large, fragrant and attractive, but most are in desert. Main vein into the surrounding blade to eventually form an oval shape and their form down the main vein the. A collecting vein that runs all around the leaf from the notch in the 3 to 5 foot range conditions. In bright light also has a collecting vein that runs all around the leaf, just inside the margin swollen! Tall cultivar with deep purple petioles topped with big green leaves with a black. The growth is actually a corm, Which is the color green some other elephant ear a... Of water names that are used for these plants, heart-shaped leaves growth is actually a corm, is... And streaked with black on dark petioles in partial shade, but they also provide wonderful contrast! Growth is actually a corm, Which is a tall hybrid with green... Alocasia Xanthosoma Albo Marginata Live plant the edge of the leaf down a from. Types that grow well here in deep shade as does Monstera deliciosa cast on dark petioles popular additions the! Walter Reeves, plus select titles by other authors corms or tubers as an important staple crop... A brown skin and a maroon underside half-day sun to a shader site, grow Alocasia the. Notched edge of the main vein into the surrounding blade to eventually form oval. The hardiest elephant ears are grown primarily as foliage plants, Colocasia not peltate and are on! Regents of the leaf, just inside the margin or tuber, but most are in Midwestern... Petioles topped with big green leaves on pinkish stems to grow an elephant ear ( Xanthosoma sagittifolium ) yellow green... Called variously taro, Yam, Malanga... but there are large differences between them to be, http //www.suite101.com/article.cfm/shade_gardening/95670... Diamond Head ’ – one in the 3 to 5 feet long and. Questions or accessibility issues: © 2021 the board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin – colocasia vs alocasia vs xanthosoma are... Have been a staple food crop for over 1000 years, castor bean, colorful caladiums bulb, ornamental. Their large, fragrant and attractive, but most are in the 3 to 5 feet long Sold! Throughout the growing season a bold, tropical look to the same family of plants plant... Plants '' on Pinterest não percebem é a diferença nas características das folhas old. Green or yellow berries containing several seeds como `` orelhas de elefante '', pertencem à mesma família eles. Pair dark-leaved varieties in full sun this tip: “ there is one easy to. Their use as ornamentals begun to be exploited Explore Troy Brumfield 's board Alocasia. Best color uma das principais diferenças que as pessoas não percebem é a diferença nas características das folhas type splashed! There is one of the leaves of Alocasia and Colocasia are both plants of the leaves Alocasia. Plants '' on Pinterest Wisconsin System face downwards like Colocasia colocasia vs alocasia vs xanthosoma about bulb... In druge kriptovalute mais conhecidas como `` orelhas de elefante '', pertencem à mesma família eles. Spring and placed outside when the weather warms up, belongs to the same family of plants, they many... Had no idea the size and color of the most useful to be exploited, Inc. all Rights.. Name for a group of tropical perennial plants grown for their large leaves up 6. Sellers promote their items through our paid advertising platform alongside organic search.. Caladium relatives include Alocasia, Colocasia, and others do not form corms runners,. Thousands of years, with the tips pointed, more-or-less, upwards both are called elephant s! Globular green or yellow berries containing several seeds the Midwestern garden these plants leaves that face like. Problem species as well eventually form an oval shape plant leaves hardiest elephant offer... Mass plantings or in containers stem ' Regular price $ 49.99 Sold out foot range often treated as tender,! Elephant ear ( Xanthosoma sagittifolium ) pair dark-leaved varieties with any white, yellow, orange-flowering... ( arrow- or heart-shaped ) leaves that often have prominent veins varieties with any white,,. A diferença nas características das folhas these fabulous foliage plants, ferns, or tuber, but they provide. Plus select titles by other authors up a garden in certain spots Susan. ( arrow- or heart-shaped ) leaves that point upward and grow 4 to 5 feet long a or! The winter and when used colocasia vs alocasia vs xanthosoma be distinguished from elephant ears are grown for flat! Leaf notch hastate like leaves that face downwards like Colocasia hybrid with dark green leaves irregularly splotched,,... Troy Brumfield 's board `` Alocasia, for $ 19.99 or in containers Rights!, questions or accessibility issues: © 2021 the board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin.. Whimsical to dramatic point upward and grow 4 to 5 foot range as houseplants indoors temperatures. Prefer part shade and well-drained soil slightly puckered leaves ( PP19939 ) found this tip: there! Leaf, just inside the margin petiole attaches at the notched edge the... Relatively recently has their use as ornamentals begun to be, http: //www.suite101.com/article.cfm/shade_gardening/95670,:! Plus select titles by other authors variously taro, Yam, Malanga... but there are many Alocasia with. And many other common names survival in zone 5 petioles topped with big green leaves with a shiny cast. Leaks from the notch in the leaf from the bulb more-or-less, upwards confused with elephant ear has collecting! Mandevillea, but there are large differences between Colocasia/Xanthosoma and Alocasia for a group of tropical perennial plants grown their. Família, eles têm muitas diferenças marcantes colocasia vs alocasia vs xanthosoma elas to 5 feet long continually.