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Colocasia esculenta Illustris
Colocasia esculenta Illustris
Prominent light green veining on large, heart-shaped leaves captures the attention of garden visitors. Growing 5-6 ft. tall with a pale shade of purple-black leaves, Colocasia esculenta Illustris gives gardens a bold, tropical look. Primarily grown for their foliage, Elephant Ears are a dramatic addition to the garden or patio containers. They perform best in moist, partially shaded areas. Because Elephant Ears are tender plants sensitive to the cold, they should be lifted in the fall in zones 3-8, and stored in a cool, dry, frost-free location. Deer tend to avoid.
- Hardiness Zones 3-10. Lift in Fall in zones 3-8
- Mature Height 5 - 6 feet
- Bloom Time Summer to first frost (Jun-first frost)
- Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
- Ship As7-9" Bulb
- Deer Resistant
- Container Friendly
We ship this item in Spring
Botanical Name: Colocasia antiquorum 'Illustris'
SKU: #88724
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Product Details
-
Restricted States US:
AE AK GU HI PR VI -
Botanical Name:
Colocasia antiquorum 'Illustris' -
Ship As:
Bulb -
Size:
7-9" -
Lift In Fall:
3-8 -
Suggested Uses:
Borders, Container Gardening, Water Garden, Shade Garden, Deer Resistant
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Flower Color:
White -
Flower Form:
Insignificant -
Foliage Type:
Large, ovate to heart shaped leaves with prominent veins. -
Mature Spread:
36 - 60 inches -
Spacing:
36 - 60 inches
Growing Tips
-
Planting Instructions:
2-4" deep and 36-60" apart -
Soil Moisture:
Deep, moisture-retentive soils. They are heavy feeders. -
Will Tolerate:
Acidic Soil, Clay Soil, Loamy Soil, Wet Soil, Sandy Soil -
Pruning Instructions:
Not needed
-
Winter Care:
Lift in fall if you live in zones 3-8 for winter storage. Replant the following spring after frosts are over. Planting Depth:
2 - 4" deepWatering Requirements:
High water needs. Keep well watered during its growing period (spring, summer, early fall)Fertilization Requirements:
Once per yearSpecial Care:
Not needed
Plant Calculator
Shipping Information
K. van Bourgondien times its shipments from Holland so that bulbs and bareroots arrive at the proper planting time (depending on climatic conditions) for each area of North America.
We take advanced orders, and as the crops are harvested, our staff of K. van Bourgondien experts makes an on-the-spot selection of the finest bulbs available to fill those reservations.
We will pack and ship your order based on the following schedules. The type of product you order or the weather may affect the anticipated shipping schedule.
Please note that we cannot ship outside of the 48
contiguous states.
What zone am I in?
Spring 2025 Shipping Schedule
-
Tropical Plants (Caladium & Elephant Ears) Zones Shipping Dates Last Order Date 3A - 6A 4/28/25 - 6/6/25 6/2/2025 6B-7A 4/21/25 - 6/6/25 6/2/2025 7B-8A 4/7/25 - 5/30/25 5/26/2025 8B-9A 3/31/25 - 5/30/25 5/26/2025 9B - 11B 3/24/25 - 5/30/25 5/26/2025
Shipping Notes:
In all cases, we choose the fastest, most efficient way to send your
orders via USPS or FedEx.
Orders for gift certificates will be shipped immediately.Due to hot weather conditions, we are unable to ship any plant items from late June through August. General merchandise will be shipped with your plant order.
Upon placing your order, you will receive an email confirmation with the details of your order and a shipping estimate. You will also receive an email notification when your order actually ships with an updated arrival estimate. If you have ordered multiple items, you may receive them in more than one shipment. We will send you a separate email confirming each shipment. Large orders may be shipped in more than one package. Your order confirmation will have an estimated shipping time.
You may check your order status at any time on this website using your email or account number provided on your order confirmation.
Customer Reviews
Review Snapshot
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Reviewed by 3 customers
Elephant Ear (Colocosia Esculentis) and their others.
The C. Esculanetis and Thai Giant are amazing. Now that I have less space and plant for others, instead of growing the biggest vreed possible, this variety with it's georgous pruple and neon color with it's Southeast Asian jungle vibe and 6' leaves is a conversation starter and envy. People will stop to ask what they are. Their corms (technically not bulbs) arrive fully dormant and if you want an early start for the largest growth in any hardiness zone north of 7 or 8, start in in a moist pot heavy with mulch and coarse damp compost or potting mix beside a warm heater or in ROOM YOU CAN KEEP AT 75F and once the roots are out the bottom move it out. COmtainers work, sure, but in the ground mine have put out new tubers and corms and grown larger and spread further. These are gauranteed not to be breaking dormancy early and rotting like the bare root varieties in most stores.
Absolutely gorgeous
All three came up and they are pushing out new leaves very quickly.
I will be back.
Plants set in wet foot conditions doing great.
Questions & Answers
Q&A
Showing 6 out of 6 Questions
- Q
How long does it take to reach full size from bulb planting time
- Asked by Abc
- Verified Reply - AngelaIt may take 3 to 5 weeks for the Colocasia to sprout after planting. You will have a full impressive plant within a couple months. They will reach their full mature size in one or two seasons.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
Will this plant thrive in a container with bright but indirect light?
- Asked by angela
- Verified Reply - AngelaThe Colocasia esculenta illustris can be grown in a large pot with indirect light. Your pot should be weighted to prevent tipping when the plant reaches full size.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
I'm looking for a large upright like this one that will do well in clay. Is there such a plant?
- Asked by Botanical Bryn
- Verified Reply - ViciI don't know of one. This is a tropical plant and needs to be dug up and stored in a cool, dry place in the winter. You would need to amend the soil if you have clay soil.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
How big are the diamond head bulbs? Are they big like softball size?
- Asked by Lawrie
- Verified Reply - ViciThese bulbs are 7-9 inches around the bulb.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
How deep do I plant?
- Asked by Joyce
- Verified Reply - AngelaPlant your Colocasia 2-4 inches deep.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
How many are in a bag? Rose C
- Asked by Rose
- Verified Reply - ViciThere are three bulbs per bag.Was this answer helpful to you
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