Dark star is a cross of four different varieties of elephant ear, selected with the goal of creating a hybrid that combines impressive size with improved cold tolerance. Alocasia 'Dark Star' features large emerald leaves emerging from black stems. This Elephant's Ear plant will put on an exuberant display in partial sun or shade, either in the garden or in a container.
Elephant ears are water-loving plants. They need at least moist, organically rich soil, but constantly moist soil is preferable, especially in warm months. You can decrease your watering schedule for the plants in winter, when they don't need as much water as they do other times of the year.
Full sun is not ideal for most—they grow best in bright but indirect sunlight. Too much sunlight can burn the leaves, while too little sunlight can cause yellowing.
All elephant ear varieties are considered heavy-feeders, requiring rich, fertile, slightly acidic soil. Fertilize your plants once a month with a slow-release, water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer. Alternately, Burpee recommends top dressing with organic compost.
Elephant ears need rich soil that is moist (not saturated), but well-drained. Most don't like wet feet, though a few are tolerant of wet conditions—like the big-leaved colocasias you might see in water gardens.
Cutting back an elephant ear is easy, but timing and good pruning habits are essential to maintain a healthy, thriving plant for years. Cut back an elephant ear plant two or three days after the first killing frost when the foliage turns brown.
Elephant ears will only truly thrive in warmer areas similar to their native humid climates of Southeast Asia, and with daytime temperatures of 70 to 85F, and nights no lower than 60F. They can be grown in cooler areas, but will need to be replanted each year.
Choose a container that's at least 18 inches wide and 16 inches deep for Colocasia varieties, or 36 inches wide for the larger Alocasia varieties. ... The container should be made of a nonporous material, such as plastic, fiberglass or glazed clay, rather than plain terra cotta.
Alocasia is a very poisonous plant; the leaves contain insoluble oxalate crystals. A human or pet chewing or biting into a leaf releases the crystals which can cause swelling and irritation of the mouth and GI tract.
