Share your pictures? Hide split images
I have read and agree the terms and conditions of service.

Colocasia esculenta Fontanesii - Elephant Ears

Colocasia esculenta Fontanesii
Taro, Elephant's Ear, Dasheen, Eddoe

Be the first to leave a review

Select delivery date,

and select date in basket

This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

More information

A variety with large lance-shaped leaves, dark green with prominent veins, carried by contrasting black petioles. This perennial with lush foliage will find its place in a flower bed, in a large container or along a water feature. It likes rich, moist to wet soils. The stump is hardy down to -7°C and its foliage disappears as soon as temperatures drop below 0. In mild climates, mulch the stump in winter. Everywhere else, cultivate your elephant's ear in a pot.
Height at maturity
1.80 m
Spread at maturity
1.20 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -6°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil, Damp soil
plantfit-full

Does this plant fit my garden?

Set up your Plantfit profile →

Best planting time March to May
Recommended planting time March to June
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering time July to October
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii' forms a clump of large dark green sagittate leaves carried by tall petioles, which are particularly dark. The stump of this large perennial plant can withstand temperatures down to -7°C, but the vegetation disappears as soon as it freezes. In mild climates and if it has been well mulched, it regrows from the stump the following spring. If you live in a region with cold winters, cultivate your elephant's ear in a pot and provide ample and regular watering. Place this variety of Colocasia in a border, a large container on a terrace, or on the banks of a water feature.

From the arum family, Colocasia esculenta, also known as Edible Taro or Taro, is likely native to India and has naturalized in tropical regions of South America and Oceania, and later in tropical Africa. The Colocasia 'Fontanesii' is distinguished by its almost black petioles with dark purple, creating an interesting contrast with its large lance-shaped dark green leaves with prominent veins. The undersides of the leaves are slightly bronzed. The leaves tend to droop under their weight and point towards the ground. It is a herbaceous perennial plant that develops from a tuberous rootstock. The mature plant reaches a height of 1.5 to 1.8 m with a width of 1.2 to 1.5 m. Its summer flowering is rare and consists of a spathe and a spadix in shades of yellow-green.  

Colocasia 'Fontanesii' is a rather easy plant to grow in rich and moist soil, in full sun or partial shade, protected from the scorching sun. This exotic plant with lush foliage is ideal in a "Jungle" and contemporary setting. Give it space, as it can reach impressive dimensions. It can also be planted in a large container on a terrace or on the banks of a water feature in mild climates. Pair this elephant's ear with Canna 'En Avant' with bright yellow flowers and Colocasia 'Mojito' with light green foliage speckled with purple spots for a lush and colourful border.

It is a semi-hardy plant (the stump can withstand temperatures around -7°C). Its vegetation is destroyed as soon as it freezes, but the plant regrows, quite late in spring, from its stump kept almost dry and mulched in winter. In cold climates, prefer container cultivation, which is more practical for overwintering.

The tubers of true taro (Colocasia esculenta) are consumed in Africa, China, Polynesia, and several other parts of the world. They are rich in starch. Its young leaves are also edible and cooked like spinach.

Flowering

Flower colour yellow
Flowering time July to October
Inflorescence Spadix
Flowering description Flowering is very rare in our climate.

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.80 m
Spread at maturity 1.20 m
Growth rate fast

Safety measures

Potential risks Plant that can cause skin and mucous membrane reactions

Botanical data

Genus

Colocasia

Species

esculenta

Cultivar

Fontanesii

Family

Araceae

Other common names

Taro, Elephant's Ear, Dasheen, Eddoe

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Planting and care

Plant Colocasia 'Fontanesii' in full sun or partial shade, avoiding direct sunlight. It requires a rich, humus-rich soil that is moist to wet and well-drained in winter. It can also be planted with its neck in water, up to 10 cm deep. It will benefit from a nitrogen-rich fertiliser, such as grass clippings. Planting in a large container is also possible. Just make sure to provide regular and generous watering during the growing season, and reduce watering in winter. This Colocasia is a semi-hardy perennial plant, tolerating temperatures down to -7°C. You can cultivate it in the ground by carefully mulching the stump in winter. When grown in a pot, it can be overwintered in a greenhouse or conservatory. If the atmosphere is too dry in winter, the plant may be susceptible to attacks from red spiders. It is also possible to dig up the bulb after the first frost, store it in a dry, dark place, and replant it after the last frost. Be mindful of attacks from slugs and snails, which enjoy feeding on its young leaves.

Planting period

Best planting time March to May
Recommended planting time March to June

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge, Pond edge
Type of use Border, Back of border, Container, Greenhouse, Conservatory
Hardiness Hardy down to -6°C (USDA zone 9a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Damp soil, Rich, humus-rich, moist to wet

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Needs to be stored

This item has not been reviewed yet - be the first to leave a review about it.

Leave a review →

Vivaces au feuillage coloré

Haven't found what you were looking for?