Giant elephant's ear (Colocasia gigantea 'Thailand Giant Strain')

Overview

The Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant Strain’, commonly known as Giant elephant’s ear, is highly prized by landscape designers for its truly immense, tropical presence. This cultivar is renowned for producing truly colossal foliage, often soaring to ten feet tall with leaves measuring several feet across, making it a dramatic focal point in any humid, warm garden setting. As a tuberous, frost-tender perennial, its cultivation often requires overwintering protective measures outside ground zones 8 to 10. Gardeners seeking immediate, bold impact will appreciate the prodigious growth supplied by this stunning Giant elephant’s ear.

This magnificent plant thrives under conditions mimicking its native habitat in Southeast Asia: high summer heat, high humidity, and consistently moist, rich soil. While it flaunts dramatic size, its upkeep is rated as medium, requiring reliable water and regular feeding to support its rapid expansion. Protection from harsh winds is crucial, as the giant leaves tear easily, diminishing the ornamental effect of the Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant Strain’.

Its primary aesthetic value lies squarely in its foliage, providing unparalleled texture and scale reminiscent of jungle settings. While it does flower infrequently, the massive stature of the Giant elephant’s ear ensures it remains the unquestioned star of the garden when treated to optimal, warm, wet conditions.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Araceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-10
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 6-10 ft
  • Spread: 6-10 ft
• Bloom Time: April to June
• Bloom Description: Yellowish-white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium to wet
• Maintenance Level: Medium

How to Grow

Planting the Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant Strain’ is best done in mid-spring after the danger of frost has passed (after April 20th in cooler regions). This giant ornamental requires fertile, organically rich soil that remains continuously moist or even boggy; do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Site these giants where they can receive full sun to light partial shade, ensuring the location is sheltered from strong winds which easily shred the large leaves.

Care revolves around meeting its high moisture and nutrient demands. Water deeply and frequently to maintain consistently wet soil, especially during periods of high summer heat and humidity, which both contribute to maximum growth. Plants benefit immensely from regular, balanced fertilization throughout the active growing season to support the production of prodigious foliage.

For gardeners in Zones 8 through 10, the tubers can generally remain in the ground year-round. However, in colder areas, treat tubers similarly to cannas: dig them up after the first fall frost. Overwinter the tubers in a cool, dry location (not below 45°F) packed in dry peat or wood shavings. If growing the Giant elephant’s ear in large containers, it is easiest to move the entire pot into a frost-free basement for winter dormancy. Propagation is achieved simply by dividing large, mature tubers.

Landscape Uses

The Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant Strain’ is the ultimate architectural specimen plant, lending an immediate and bold tropical atmosphere to any landscape design. Its sheer scale makes it ideal for siting as a solitary drama point where its massive leaves can be easily viewed and protected from wind damage. Because of its preference for moisture retention, it excels near the margins of ponds or water features, or in perpetually damp corners of the yard.

When integrating this plant, consider companion plantings that offer contrast in texture or color. Fine-textured grasses or low, spreading groundcovers can offset the broad, paddle-like leaves of the Giant elephant’s ear. While it thrives in the ground, growing the cultivar in large containers is an excellent strategy, especially for gardeners needing to bring the frost-tender perennial indoors for winter protection.

The upright, substantial growth provides vertical interest often lacking in mixed perennial borders. Use it deliberately where you need to define space or create a truly exotic, lush feel, ensuring that its ultimate height of 10 feet is accommodated in the final placement plan.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Colocasia gigantea, commonly called elephant’s ear, is a large, stemless, tuberous, frost-tender perennial of the arum family which typically grows to 4-7’ tall and as wide and features huge, heart-shaped to arrowhead-shaped, conspicuously-veined, downward-pointing, peltate, dull green to gray green leaves (to 2-4’ long) on stout, succulent stems. As the common name suggests, each leaf purportedly resembles the ear of an elephant. The specific cultivar, ‘Thailand Giant Strain,’ is celebrated for exceeding the straight species size, producing leaves up to 5 feet wide on plants that can soar up to 10 feet tall.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer
• Wet Soil

Potential Problems

The Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant Strain’ generally faces no serious, pervasive insect or disease challenges when grown in its preferred conditions. The most common minor pest issue involves spider mites, which tend to appear when the environment becomes excessively dry. Gardeners should aim to maintain the high humidity and consistent moisture levels that this plant loves; watering thoroughly below the foliage or using overhead irrigation intermittently can help deter mite colonization and keep the spectacular leaves of the Giant elephant’s ear pristine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant Strain’ suitable for?

This tropical perennial is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 10, though tubers in Zone 7b may survive if well-protected.

How large does Giant elephant’s ear grow?

When mature and happy, the Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant Strain’ can reach heights between 6 and 10 feet, with a comparable spread of 6 to 10 feet.

What sun exposure does Giant elephant’s ear need?

This plant performs best when situated in locations receiving full sun or light part shade.

When does Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant Strain’ bloom?

Blooms typically occur from April to June, presenting small, yellowish-white, spathe-and-spadix flowers, which are often obscured by the massive foliage.

Conclusion

The unparalleled scale offered by the Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant Strain’ makes it an essential choice for gardeners looking to establish a strong tropical aesthetic. Its requirement for consistently wet soil and protection from wind are the key factors securing its massive size and success. Before planting, always confirm your local USDA hardiness zone compatibility or prepare your overwintering strategy for this magnificent Giant elephant’s ear.

Companion Planting

Selecting companions for this colossal plant should focus on species that share similar high-moisture needs and thrive in bright, hot conditions. Consider large tropical foliage plants like Cannas or other large-leaved Colocasia cultivars if you wish to enhance the jungle effect without competing for above-ground light. For contrasting texture near the base, look towards marginal aquatic plants if the substrate is boggy, or moisture-loving ferns that appreciate the humidity created by the large leaves overhead.

Propagation Tips

The most straightforward method for multiplying your stock of Colocasia gigantea ‘Thailand Giant Strain’ is through tuber division. When the plant is dormant (or being cleaned up for winter storage), carefully examine the large tubers. Healthy, larger tubers should be separated from the main mass, ensuring each division retains at least one viable growth eye and sufficient root structure to start independently. Allow the cut surfaces to dry slightly before replanting in spring or storing them properly for the winter.