perennial elephant ear plant Calidora Upright Elephant Ear | Giant Tropical Leaves

Ok, wow! This one will knock your guests socks off!

Calidora Upright Elephant Ear (Alocasia x 'Calidora') is a tremendous accent plant with leaves the length of a Mini Cooper. It's also incredibly easy to grow.

We're excited to offer one of the world's most incredible accent plants. If you want a plant that effortlessly heightens the impact of your plantings and containers, place this on your "must have" list.

These upright, arrow-shaped leaves are a vivid, vibrant green that will definitely catch the eye. But the Brobdingnagian size will have their jaws dropping open in wonder.

This tender corm produces huge leaves quickly over a season. Leave room for them to reach their mature size and spread listed on the Plant Highlights, especially if you grow them in the ground.

If kept in containers, they'll still be impressive but may stay a little smaller. In Zones 3 - 8, wheel them out to your patio, balcony or pool deck for a tropical summer backdrop.

Once winter hits, you can enjoy them as a showy houseplant a few feet away from a bright window. Welcome to your very own jungle!

A plant as "fancy" as Calidora Upright Elephant Ear is bound to have a lot of nicknames...and you may hear it called Upright Elephant Ear, Taro or simply Calidora. This arresting Aroid is a hybrid Alocacia, so the ginormous leaves generally point upward.

New leaves emerge like long spears and reach for the sky. Over time, the green sheath unfurls to reveal its glory.

Prominent veins only add to the overall appeal. Highly textured, this choice makes the world's best "Thriller" to use at the center of an outdoor container.

As you might imagine, these flamboyant plants will sell out quickly. Order Calidora Upright Elephant Ear from Nature Hills today for a lush setting to your summertime.

How to Use Calidora Upright Elephant Ear in the Landscape

You'll want to get the soil right for this dynamo. Alocacia likes rich soil that is evenly moist; but never sopping wet or too dry.

If you want to grow them in the ground, partner them with plants that have a similar growing requirement. Mounded Hosta would make an excellent team, as would strappy Liriope as a contrasting edging plant.

We offer so many plants for partial shade conditions. Filter your search results by Zone,height and more...then choose your favorites.

Typically, Calidora Upright Elephant Ear would be used near in the center of an island bed. The same goes for one grown as a "Thriller" in a container placed away from a wall, so you can walk all the way around it.

However, anything goes these days! Play around with your composition, and don't be afraid to break the "rules" in your own personal paradise.

A really effective way to use such a magnificent plant is to plant it at the forked juncture of a garden path. Let it obscure the way forward, and you'll increase the anticipation of what's ahead.

Containers should be at least 10 inches wide for young corms. Over time, you'll need to size up to 20 inches wide.

Use trailing or mounded plants around the edge for a soft, polished presentation. Calidora Upright Elephant Ear looks tropical, and can handle a "lot of look", so be bold with your choices!

#ProPlantTips for Care

In the hottest Zones, you should give them a little shade in the afternoon. Cooler climates allow the Calidora Upright Elephant Ears to be grown in full sun or partial shade.

Give them a humusy soil, with a few extra handfuls of compost during planting. Good soil means a happy, healthy plant...and don't forget to use a good, slow-release fertilizer according to the directions.

They'll need a moderate amount of water on a consistent schedule. Mulch to a depth of three inches, pulling it back away from the main stems.

These tender plants can't tolerate frost, so you have a decision to make if you live with cold winters. Will you keep it for one beautiful season, or dig up the corm to overwinter it?

That process is fairly simple...first trim back the foliage and dig the corm out of the ground. Remove the roots and take indoors to dry.

Store overwinter in a dark, cool place. Then, replant them after the threat of frost has passed the following spring.

Corms will grow and produce pups, which help enlarge your planting. Perhaps you could gift one to your jealous friend for their very own!.

Of course, Calidora Upright Elephant Ear can be kept in containers. Bring it inside and trim it back as a winter houseplant...without overwatering during this dormant season.

Anytime of year, you can trim back spent leaves to tidy the plant. Wear garden gloves, as your skin may display sensitivities to the oxalates in the sap.

Get your Calidora Upright Elephant Ear today, and track your package to your doorstep. WIth proper care, it won't be long before the first long leaves start to delight you.

Enjoy the journey with this unique selection. Just a word of warning...you'll wind up with a collection of these dazzling Alocacia and downturned Colocasia.