Overview

Introduce a touch of the tropics to your living space or garden with the captivating Tea Cup Colocasia live plant. This rare and highly sought-after variety of Colocasia esculenta, commonly known as Elephant Ear Taro plant, is celebrated for its truly unique foliage. The leaves of this plant are elegantly curved, forming a cup-like shape that can hold water, creating a fascinating visual spectacle. Growing approximately 5-9 inches tall, these plants are perfect for adding dramatic texture and an exotic flair to any collection. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, the rare Colocasia esculenta is a rewarding plant to cultivate, thriving with proper care and attention to its environmental needs. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to add a distinctive, architectural plant to their indoor jungle or outdoor landscape.

The Tea Cup Colocasia live plant is a vigorous grower, known for its lush, vibrant green leaves that can reach impressive sizes when mature. Its common name, Elephant Ear, comes from the large, heart-shaped leaves that resemble an elephant’s ear. This particular ‘Tea Cup’ cultivar stands out with its upright, cupped leaves, which not only look beautiful but also serve as natural water catchers. This plant flourishes in warm, humid conditions, making it an ideal candidate for a bright, indirect light spot indoors or a partially shaded, moist location outdoors in suitable climates. Cultivating this indoor elephant ear can transform any area into a verdant oasis.

Key Benefits

The Tea Cup Colocasia live plant offers numerous benefits, from its striking appearance to its ease of care, making it a fantastic addition to any plant enthusiast’s collection. Explore the advantages of growing this beautiful tropical foliage plant:

• Unique Aesthetic Appeal: The most striking feature of the Tea Cup Colocasia live plant is its distinctive cup-shaped leaves. These large, glossy green leaves create a dramatic visual impact, adding architectural interest and a tropical feel to any setting.
• Versatile Placement: This Elephant Ear Taro plant can be grown both indoors as a stunning houseplant or outdoors in warmer climates, allowing for flexibility in how you display its beauty. It adapts well to containers, making it easy to move seasonally.
• Air Purifying Qualities: Like many large-leaved plants, the rare Colocasia esculenta contributes to a healthier indoor environment by helping to filter airborne toxins and improve air quality, making your space fresher.
• Easy to Grow: Despite its exotic appearance, the Tea Cup Colocasia live plant is relatively easy to care for, requiring consistent moisture, warmth, and bright, indirect light. It’s a forgiving plant that rewards consistent attention with lush growth.
• Fast Growth Rate: Under optimal conditions, the indoor elephant ear grows quickly, allowing you to enjoy a mature, impactful plant in a relatively short period. This rapid growth makes it satisfying for gardeners who love to see quick results.
• Tropical Ambiance: The large, dramatic foliage instantly evokes a tropical paradise, perfect for creating a lush, jungle-like atmosphere in conservatories, patios, or living rooms.
• Conversation Starter: The unusual ‘Tea Cup’ form of this Colocasia is sure to capture attention and spark conversations, making it a unique focal point in your home or garden.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Tea Cup Colocasia live plant involves providing conditions that mimic its native tropical habitat. These plants thrive with warmth, high humidity, and consistently moist, rich soil. For optimal growth, place your Elephant Ear Taro plant in a location that receives bright, indirect light or partial shade. If growing outdoors, wait until soil temperatures consistently reach at least 70°F before planting. Tubers should be planted about 4 inches deep, with smaller varieties spaced at least 2 feet apart and larger ones 4 feet apart to allow for proper leaf expansion.

Watering is crucial for the rare Colocasia esculenta; the soil should never be allowed to dry out completely. Regular watering is essential to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during active growth periods. Indoors, maintain a temperature of at least 70°F during the day and no less than 60°F at night. These plants are heavy feeders, so fertilize regularly with a high-nitrogen fertilizer during the growing season to support their rapid growth and large foliage. For an indoor elephant ear, consider placing it near a humidifier or misting daily to increase ambient humidity. Protect it from strong, direct sunlight, which can scorch its leaves.

When it comes to soil, a rich, well-draining potting mix is ideal for your tropical foliage plant. Incorporate plenty of organic matter to retain moisture while ensuring good drainage. Watch out for common pests like spider mites and aphids, especially in dry indoor environments; regular inspection and appropriate treatment will keep your plant healthy. In cooler climates, if grown outdoors, the plant can be moved indoors before the first frost or treated as an annual. With these care guidelines, your Colocasia will flourish, displaying its magnificent, unique foliage.

Size & Details

The Tea Cup Colocasia live plant you will receive is a healthy specimen, typically measuring between 5 to 9 inches tall. These plants are shipped without a pot, as a bare root or corm, to ensure safe and efficient transport, ready for you to plant upon arrival. This allows for immediate integration into your preferred pot or garden spot. When mature, this variety can produce large, impressive leaves, contributing significantly to a lush, tropical display. The growth rate is vigorous, and with proper care, you can expect noticeable development within weeks of planting. It is ideal for containers or garden beds, providing a dramatic focal point.

While the initial size is 5-9 inches, established plants can reach heights of up to 3-5 feet in ideal conditions, with leaves that can span 1 to 2 feet across. This makes the Tea Cup Colocasia live plant a substantial and impactful addition to your plant collection. It is a perennial in USDA zones 9-11, where it can be grown outdoors year-round. In cooler zones, it performs beautifully as an annual or can be brought indoors for the winter, making it a versatile tropical foliage plant for various climates.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The Tea Cup Colocasia live plant you receive will be 5-9 inches tall. With proper care, it can grow up to 3-5 feet tall with leaves spanning 1-2 feet, making it a significant statement plant.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: This Elephant Ear Taro plant is versatile. It can be grown indoors as a houseplant in bright, indirect light, or outdoors in warmer climates (USDA zones 9-11) in partial shade.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: The rare Colocasia esculenta prefers bright, indirect light or partial shade. Avoid direct, harsh sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day, as it can scorch the leaves.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Tea Cup Colocasia live plant is considered relatively easy to grow. Its main requirements are consistent moisture, warmth, and adequate light. It’s a rewarding plant for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will be shipped without a pot, typically as a bare root or corm, to ensure its health and safe transport. It will be ready for immediate planting upon arrival.
• Q: How often should I water my Tea Cup Colocasia? A: This indoor elephant ear requires consistently moist soil. Water regularly, ensuring the soil does not dry out between waterings. More frequent watering may be needed in hot, dry conditions.
• Q: Can I grow this tropical foliage plant in a pot? A: Absolutely! The Tea Cup Colocasia live plant thrives in containers, making it an excellent choice for patios, balconies, or as an indoor houseplant where you can control its environment.
• Q: What is the ideal temperature range for this plant? A: The Tea Cup Colocasia live plant prefers warm temperatures, ideally at least 70°F during the day and no lower than 60°F at night. It is sensitive to cold.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: If planting outdoors, wait until soil temperatures are consistently above 70°F, usually in late spring or early summer. Indoor planting can be done year-round.
• Q: Is the ‘Tea Cup’ Colocasia pet-safe? A: Like many Colocasia varieties, the Tea Cup Colocasia live plant contains calcium oxalates, which can be irritating if ingested. It’s best to keep it out of reach of pets and small children.