Various Types of Plants Similar to Elephant Ears Plants

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If you want to know what plants similar to elephant ears, the answer is basically easy. Simply look at the family or species, and you will see hundreds of similar appearance, especially related to the big and wide leaf sizes. Not to mention that this plant can grow quite tall, making it perfect to deliver tropical sense and relaxed ambiance in your property. Elephant ear type plants are mostly flexible. You can place them outdoor and indoor, and they can still deliver striking effect.

The General Facts about Elephant Ear

As it was mentioned before, there are basically various elephant ear plant types out there – because they all belong to the same family. Each of them may have slight differences from one another, but they generally share the same traits, nature, and similarities. So, if you want to know the options of plants similar to elephant ears, simply look at the different kind of elephant ears. You will never go wrong!

The Common Varieties

There are basically 4 types of varieties of this plant. So, if you want to know what plants similar to elephant ears, you should check its varieties one by one. Elephant ear is a part of 4 (tropical) plant genera within Araceae family. These plants are considered aroid and they have different sizes and colors. However, they have similar characteristics with arrowhead or heart shape leaves, growing from tubers, bulbs, or corms.

Colocasia

The Colocasia varieties are considered attractive, unique, and popular. This is the only species having peltate (shield-like) leaves and they are pretty big too! The leaves can reach up to 2 feet or even 3 feet in length with 1 foot, or even 2 feet, of width. If the growing requirements are all met, the maximum height of the plant can go up to 8 feet.

One interesting thing about the Colocasia type is that their leaves (like the tip of the heart) would point downward. The leaves are robust and somewhat fleshy, coming in bold and attractive colors, such as purple black, lush green, and red. Colocasia variant itself is native to tropical and swampy areas; mostly found in southeastern area of Asia. It has 200 species and it has been cultivated for around 6000 years. Imagine that!

Colocasias like full sun, enough moisture, and consistent moisture. They can grow well in indirect or partial shade too. They are considered wetland plants, which mean that feel free to put them on water surfaces or pools within containers or pots. A word of advice, though: Don’t plant it outside of containers, especially next to the water source, because they can spread and grow super quickly.

They are often called Taro whose tubers are edible but only after they are cooked. Remember, this variant has been grown for 6000 years, which mean that it’s considered common food. People in South Pacific and Asia often consume the tubers. Some of its most popular varieties are:

  1. Black Stem
  2. Colocasia Mojito
  3. Hilo Beauty
  4. Black Magic
  5. Elena
  6. Colocasia Tea Cup
  7. Lime Zinger
  8. Colocasia Coffee Cups
  9. Diamond Head
  10. Hawaiian Punch

Alocasia

This one is an evergreen perennial producing blossoms (the calla lily like types) that can grow up to 6 feet tall. However, this one doesn’t bloom quite often. The leaves are arrow shape or heart shape with various colors of streaks, including dark purple, bronze, and black. There are around 97 varieties of Alocasia. It likes bright but indirect sun and also moist soil. It also loves humid conditions. The plant can grow from 2 feet to 6 feet in height. The leaves can grow from 8 inches to 36 inches in length. In general, the leaves have dark and waxy with creamy white veins. The contrast is beautiful and unique at the same time.

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