Types of Elephant Ear Plants

• Elephant's ear plants feature unusual colors and patterns. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  Elephant ears are a tropical plant that is treasured for its colorful and enormous foliage. Grown in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colors, the leaves on elephant's ear typically sits atop the long, erect stems. Although infrequent, elephant's ear plants sometimes produce a flower for an added display to the garden. They make ideal plants to grow in shady garden areas, as well as indoors with dappled sunlight.

Lime Zinger

• Elephant's ear Lime Zinger (Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger') is a variety of elephant's ear that hails from tropical America. It grows 2 to 4 feet tall and up to 3 feet wide, creating an ideal variety to plant in the back of a flower border. It features oversized, arrow-shaped, chartreuse to lime green foliage that grows up to 18 inches long. Lime Zinger bears, although infrequently, green to white flowers that are enclosed in a white, 9-inch-long, spadix, or fleshy spike that holds the blooms. Lime Zinger grows best in part shade and rich, deep soils that are moist. It thrives in hot and humid conditions. If grown in a container outdoors, bring Lime Zinger indoors as a houseplant. Grow Lime Zinger in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 to 10.

Coffee Cups

• Elephant's ear Coffee Cups (Colocasia esculenta 'Coffee Cups') is a variety of elephant's ear with a vigorous growth rate. It grows up to 6 feet tall and wide, creating a commanding landscape presence. Coffee Cups features black stems and cup-shaped foliage that is deep green. It grows best in full sun and organic, moist soil. Divide this tropical bulb in winter to early spring to plant in other areas of the garden. Grow Coffee Cups in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 to 11.

Frydek

• Elephant's ear Frydek (Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek') is a perennial plant that has a moderate growth rate and clumping habit. It grows 1 to 3 feet tall and features satin, deep green to black, 18-inch-long leaves. The arrow-shaped foliage on Frydek is veined with white to resemble a rib cage. Frydek features pale stalks with a purple ban to create a vibrant burst of color to the landscape. Hardy, Frydek is tolerant of heat, humidity and heavy soil, as well as a wide range of soil pH levels. Frydek grows best in part shade and well-drained, moist soil that is humus-rich. Indoors, it can be used as a houseplant, as long as it receives filtered light. Grow Frydek in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 to 11.