Noteworthy CharacteristicsDark purple, almost black, heart-shaped leaves. Loves wet conditions.

CareElephant's ear is generally not hardy anywhere colder than Zone 9, so treat it like other summer-blooming bulb. Let frost kill the top growth, then dig up the bulbs and dry them in open shade. Soon they will look shriveled, and any clinging soil will dry up and fall off with the roots. Hang them in well-ventilated sacks in a dry, cool (about 50°F) place. When spring arrives, plant the bulbs in 1- or 2-gallon pots and put them in a greenhouse to give them an early start. Position them so that any remnants of last year's stems rise above soil level. Since the bulbs have no roots at this point, water them once, and don't douse them again until leaves emerge. Grow in a warm greenhouse or outdoors at a pool margin, in a moist border, or in large aquatic containers.

PropagationDivide in winter or early spring.

ProblemsSoft rot, bacterial blight, corm and root rot, and dasheen mosaic virus are common. Aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites occur.