Bring the Tropics Home with the Tea Cup Elephant Ear

The Tea Cup Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta) is a captivating addition to any garden or indoor space. This live plant is known for its uniquely upturned leaves, which can collect water like a teacup, creating a fascinating visual display. The contrasting purple veins add an extra touch of elegance, making it a true showpiece. If you’re looking for a plant that combines beauty and functionality, the Tea Cup Elephant Ear is an excellent choice. It arrives at 5-9 inches tall, ready to thrive in its new home.

Imagine the delight of watching your Tea Cup Elephant Ear mature. As the plant grows, its distinctive features become more pronounced. The leaves, at their largest, can hold an entire cup of water! When the weight becomes too much, the stems gracefully droop, spilling the water before returning to an upright position to collect more. This natural cycle adds a dynamic element to your garden, ensuring there’s always something interesting to observe. It is also considered Pet Safe.

Growing the Tea Cup Elephant Ear is relatively straightforward, provided you meet its basic needs. This plant thrives in part shade and prefers soil that is consistently moist, even boggy. Its fast growth rate means you’ll see noticeable changes in a short amount of time. The evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, even in milder climates. With proper care, your Tea Cup Elephant Ear will reach an average mature height of 4-6 feet, making it a substantial and impressive presence.

One of the key benefits of the Tea Cup Elephant Ear is its adaptability. It is well-suited to USDA zones 7b-10, making it a viable option for a wide range of climates. Whether you live in a humid subtropical region or an area with milder winters, this plant can thrive with the right care. Its preference for moist soil makes it an excellent choice for water gardens or areas prone to dampness. Another benefit is its unique leaf structure that catches water, creating a self-watering system, allowing it to thrive with ease.

Key Benefits:

• Unique Aesthetic: Upturned leaves with purple veins create a captivating visual display.
• Natural Water Collector: Leaves collect water, adding a dynamic element to your garden.
• Fast Growth: See noticeable changes in a short amount of time.
• Versatile: Thrives in a variety of conditions and USDA zones 7b-10.
• Pet Safe: Safe for your furry friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How big will my Tea Cup Elephant Ear get? The average mature height is 4-6 feet.
2. What kind of sunlight does it need? It prefers part shade.
3. How often should I water it? Keep the soil consistently moist; it does well in boggy areas.
4. Is the Tea Cup Elephant Ear safe for pets? Yes, it is considered pet safe.
5. What USDA zones is it suitable for? It thrives in zones 7b-10.