- Height 36-60 Inches
- Width 12-36 Inches
- Use as a thriller when using in containers
- Can be grown outdoors or as a houseplant!
- Growing Zones 8 - 11
Wow! Elephant Ear (Colocasia) never disappoints with its huge, heart-shaped leaves and contrasting venation. Illustris is a dramatic Colocasia esculenta variety with a deep purple and black hue that both catches the eye with its singularity and provides a backdrop for bright blooms to shine. If you’re looking for a large show-stopping plant for a pond garden or a consistently wet area of your landscape, Illustris is for you! Plus, it is adaptable as a houseplant and the tubers can be overwintered so you can enjoy its beauty year after year.
Illustris Elephant Ear grows up to 5’ tall and 3’ wide, and the dark foliage has an upright growing habit that supports its large, majestic leaves. This large stunner looks fabulous when planted in a big container alone or as a tall “thriller” in a combination planting. The deep, dark leaves provide the perfect backdrop for showing off the colorful blooms and green foliage of other plants. The Humane Society of America says that Colocasia plants can be toxic to pets. Do not plant these in an area where a pet might want to nibble on them.
Illustris Colocasia Care
Illustris Elephant Ear thrives in partially sunny conditions with wet or soggy soils. This makes them a perfect water feature or pond plant. Keep the soil constantly wet, or plant them in an area that doesn’t dry out.
Illustris Elephant Ear is adaptable as a houseplant and the tubers can be stored for replanting in the spring. If you have space indoors to bring the large potted plant inside for the winter, it makes an excellent houseplant. Make sure it has indirect sunlight, peat-rich soil and plenty of humidity. Try placing it on a pebble mat or near a humidifier to provide the humidity it needs to thrive.
The tubers can also be stored over the winter and replanted in the spring. Before overwintering the tubers, allow the frost to kill the top of the plant and then cut off all of the stems. Then, dig up the tubers and clean the soil off of them. Wrap them in newspaper or pack them in dry peat moss. Label the tubers and store them in a cool, dark place between 35-45°F. Do not allow them to freeze.
Illustris Colocasia Spacing
These large plants need space! Elephant Ear containers must be at least 12” wide to allow room for growth. When planting in the ground, allow up to 36” space. They can be planted as close as 12” to provide a thick screen or hedge.
Illustris Colocasia Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11 |
| Flower Color(s): Grown for Foliage |
| Foliage Color(s) Purple |
| Foliage Description: Black/Purple |
| Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun |
| Height Class: Tall |
| Height: 36-60 Inches |
| Spread: 12-36 Inches |
| Spacing: 12-36 Inches |
| Habit: Upright |
| Watering: Average |
| Drought Tolerant: No |
| Container Role: Thriller |
| Use Types: Container, Houseplant, Landscape |
| Features: Foliage Interest, Deadheading Not Necessary |
| Maintenance: Easy |
| Scientific Name: Colocasia esculent 'Illustris' |
| Common Name: Illustris Colocasia |
| Other Name(s): Dasheen, Green Taro, Malanga, Taro, Elephant Ears |
| Plant Type: Annual |
| Brand: Proven Selections |
- SKU:
- COLIL
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations