Elephant's ear (Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger')
Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger', or Elephant's ear, offers huge, eye-catching chartreuse foliage in zones 8-10, ideal for tropical accents.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’ is highly valued by gardeners for its dramatic, tropical texture and brilliant coloration. This cultivar, commonly known as Elephant’s ear, produces huge, arrow-shaped leaves reaching up to 18 inches long, glowing in shades of chartreuse to lime green. Its size and color make it a superb focal point in the summer landscape.
As an herbaceous perennial from tropical America, Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’ thrives in hot, humid conditions provided it receives consistent moisture. Although it is hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 10, gardeners in cooler areas typically treat this stunning foliage plant as an annual or must overwinter the tubers indoors. Proper siting is key, as too much direct sun can bleach the leaves, while too much shade dulls the vibrant lime hue.
The primary appeal of this Elephant’s ear lies in its bold foliage, which provides instant structure and a lush, exotic feel to gardens and patios. Its relatively low maintenance needs, once established in optimum conditions, make Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’ an easy way to achieve maximum visual impact during the growing season.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Araceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-4 ft
- Spread: 1.5-3 ft
- Bloom Time: July to August
- Bloom Description: Greenish white
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant the tuberous rhizomes of Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’ in the spring only after all danger of frost has passed. Aim for a location providing rich, deep, moist, yet well-drained soil. These tropical aroids thrive when planted about 18 inches apart directly into the ground, or they can be placed in large containers for easy relocation.
Consistent moisture is vital for keeping the foliage of this Elephant’s ear lush and vibrant; do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Site plants where they receive morning sun followed by afternoon shade to achieve the best lime green color while preventing leaf scorch. The foliage may become too green if placed in deep, dense shade.
For gardeners outside Zones 8-10, overwintering is necessary. Before the first fall frost, dig up the rhizomes. Store the tubers indoors in a naturally cool, dry location, treating them similarly to cannas for dormancy. Alternatively, container-grown Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’ can be brought indoors before frost to continue as a houseplant (with reduced watering) or stored dormant.
Landscape Uses
As suggested for its use as an annual accent, Elephant’s ear brings unparalleled texture and color contrast to mixed borders. Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’ excels as a specimen plant, drawing the eye with its large chartreuse leaves against darker green or burgundy plantings. It also performs beautifully when sunk into the ground or placed above-ground in large patio containers.
When using Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’ in the landscape, pair it with contrasting foliage textures, perhaps weeping grasses or finely-cut ferns, to amplify its bold presence. Its tropical nature works well alongside flowering annuals that also require similar heat and moisture, such as impatiens or tuberous begonias, creating a vibrant, humid microclimate display. Ensure the final placement allows the plant room to spread to its mature width of 3 feet without crowding neighbors.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Xanthosoma is an herbaceous perennial from tropical America, closely related to Colocasia and Caladium, primarily grown for its bold, tropical foliage. The cultivar ‘Lime Zinger’ is specifically noted for producing huge chartreuse to lime green arrow-shaped leaves, often reaching 3-4 feet tall overall. While flowers are infrequently produced, they consist of a greenish-white spathe enclosing a white spadix.
Tolerances
- None listed
Potential Problems
Leaf spots and viral issues can occasionally affect Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’. More commonly, gardeners should watch for soil-borne diseases like Pythium rot and Rhizoctonia rot, often caused by overwatering or poor drainage, particularly when rhizomes are too deeply buried or kept too wet during storage. Snails occasionally target the tender foliage, requiring standard pest monitoring. Remember that intense midday sun in high heat conditions can cause the leaves to bleach out, affecting the desired lime coloration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Elephant’s ear suitable for?
Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’ is winter hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 10. For areas outside this range, the rhizomes must be lifted and stored dormant indoors before the first frost.
How large does Elephant’s ear grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a mature height between 2 and 4 feet tall, with a spread ranging from 1.5 to 3 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’ need?
This plant prefers part shade. For the best lime-green leaf color, locate Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’ where it receives morning sun and afternoon shade, as full sun can scorch the foliage.
When does Elephant’s ear bloom?
The bloom time for Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’ is typically from July through August, producing inconspicuous greenish-white flowers.
Conclusion
The Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’ is an indispensable choice for adding instant drama and vibrant color to shaded or partially sunny summer gardens. This Elephant’s ear cultivar delivers on its promise of bold, tropical texture, provided it receives consistent moisture and protection from the harshest afternoon sun. Evaluate your local climate; if you are near Zones 8-10, plan to plant the tubers immediately after the last spring frost for a spectacular seasonal display.
Companion Planting
When designing a tropical area around your Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’, select companions that share similar needs for rich, moist soil and protection from intense sun. Caladiums make excellent ground-level companions, offering contrasting leaf shapes and often brighter pinks or reds against the lime backdrop of the Elephant’s ear. Larger flowering annuals, such as Hibiscus or even large Coleus varieties with dark, velvety leaves, provide excellent color contrast and height variation near the base of this impressive perennial.
Design Ideas
For maximum impact, utilize Xanthosoma ‘Lime Zinger’ as a specimen plant near a patio or entryway where its size and bright color can be fully appreciated. Grouping several rhizomes together slightly closer than standard spacing can create a dense, lush screen effect, contrasting nicely against a dark fence or brick wall. In containers, plant Elephant’s ear as the “thriller” focal point surrounded by trailing “spillers” like sweet potato vine (Ipomoea) or ivies, ensuring the container is large enough to support its moisture demands throughout the hot season.
