Colocasia Tea Cup Elephant Ear Bulb

Plant the Colocasia 'Tea Cup' Elephant Ear bulb in spring, and in summer, it produces bold, architectural foliage. A tuberous, frost-tender perennial, 'Tea Cup' is grown for its huge, glossy, olive-green leaves with attractive dark purple veins and stalks. They have a unique teacup shape, and every time it rains, water pools in the cupped leaves. As they become full, the stems bend slightly to pour it out, and the process begins again. The plant blooms in summer, and although the flowers are insignificant, they provide bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with a tasty treat. And any remaining pooled rainwater in the leaves supplies them with a clean water source.

A Colocasia esculenta, commonly called taro, kalo, or elephant ear, 'Tea Cup' has an upright habit and rapid growth rate. The large tropical leaves create a striking focal point or a beautiful backdrop for colorful flowers in beds and borders. The plant grows well in a large container, indoors or outdoors, and it's a perfect choice to grow as a pond marginal or as an emergent water-garden plant.

Virtually maintenance free, elephant ear grows best in warm temperatures and high humidity. 'Tea Cup' prefers a sunny to partially shady location with fertile, humusy, organically rich, medium to wet soil. It tolerates standing water but will suffer in dry soil. The plant benefits from afternoon shade and from regular fertilization during the growing season. Pest, rabbit, and deer resistant.