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Growing Inspiration
Inspiration for future Agardeni growing environments.
ornamentalFamily: AraceaeGenus: ColocasiaSpecies: antiquorum
Cultivar
Illustris Elephant Ear
Colocasia antiquorum 'Illustris'
Cultivar: Illustris
This dramatic elephant ear features expansive, heart-shaped leaves that emerge a deep, rich purple-black, developing pronounced lime-green veins as they mature. The plant grows in a clumping habit, creating a lush, vertical presence that thrives in warm, humid conditions. It is an excellent choice for adding architectural interest to moist landscape borders or large patio containers.
Colocasia 'Illustris' is a striking tropical elephant ear prized for its large, velvety, dark purple-black leaves contrasted with bright green veins. It provides an immediate dramatic impact in tropical garden displays or as a feature container plant.
Marketplace packs coming soon
Current nursery inventory and 18 / 36 / 72 pricing will appear here when available.
Cultivar Story
Start with Inspiration. Grow Your Aspiration.
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Marketplace Plant
A realistic representation of the starter plants offered in 18, 36, and 72 plant quantities.
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Aspirational Garden
Grow your aspirational plan into an inspirational garden.
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Plant Detail
A closer look at the fruit, flower, foliage, or mature defining characteristics of this cultivar.
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Repotting / Start Growing
Begin with a starter plant and establish it in a larger pot using quality potting soil with beneficials and fertilizer.
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Start · Plan · Grow
Start with real plants. Plan with current marketplace availability. Grow your aspirational garden.
Cultivar Video
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See this cultivar from starter plant to aspirational garden.
Plant Profile
Grow Illustris Elephant Ear with confidence
Key growing information first, with the complete reviewed cultivar profile available when you want it.
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Sun
Partial shade to full sun, with protection from harsh afternoon sun in hotter climates.
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Water
Keep consistently moist; this plant thrives in wet soils and can even be grown in water gardens.
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Mature size
3-5 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
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Hardiness
8-11
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Growth habit
Clumping perennial with upright stems.
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Plant type
Tropical foliage plant
View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
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View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
Good to know
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Growing note
Needs consistent moisture and high humidity to thrive. In zones colder than 8, lift the tubers before the first frost and store in a cool, dry place over winter.
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Climate note
Requires warm temperatures; growth slows significantly below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Flower / fruit
Rarely flowers in container or landscape settings; primarily grown for its foliage.
Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Sun / light
Partial shade to full sun, with protection from harsh afternoon sun in hotter climates.
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Growth rate
Moderate to fast during warm growing seasons.
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Fertilizer
Heavy feeder; apply a balanced liquid fertilizer or slow-release granules throughout the active growing season.
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Pruning
Remove old or damaged leaves at the base to keep the plant looking tidy.
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Care notes
Needs consistent moisture and high humidity to thrive. In zones colder than 8, lift the tubers before the first frost and store in a cool, dry place over winter.
Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Mature size
3-5 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
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Growth habit
Clumping perennial with upright stems.
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Spacing
3-4 feet apart for landscape plantings.
Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flowering / fruiting
Rarely flowers in container or landscape settings; primarily grown for its foliage.
Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Hardiness zones
8-11
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Temperature
Requires warm temperatures; growth slows significantly below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Watering
Keep consistently moist; this plant thrives in wet soils and can even be grown in water gardens.
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Soil
Rich, organic, moisture-retentive, well-draining soil.
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Soil pH
5.5-6.5
More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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Container Growing
Thrives in large containers where soil moisture can be strictly managed; ensure the pot does not dry out completely.
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Family
Araceae
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Foliage Look
Dark purple-black matte surface, bright emerald or lime green veins, heart-shaped leaf blades.
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Foliage Rules
Leaves are heart-shaped with peltate attachment; color must be deep dark purple with lighter veins.
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Fruit Flower Look
Not applicable.
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Fruit Flower Rules
Do not depict flowers as they are rare and not a defining characteristic of this foliage-focused cultivar.
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Growth Habit Rules
Should appear as an upright, clumping plant; do not portray as a vining or groundcover plant.
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Mature Plant Look
Lush, tropical clump of large, dark-leaved foliage.
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Mature Stage Morphology
Mature leaves are large and shield-shaped with a distinct dark purple-black surface and bright green venation.
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Morphology Rules
Maintain a balanced, clumping vertical form; ensure leaf venation is visible and contrasting.
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Plant Faqs
Does Illustris Elephant Ear need full sun? It prefers partial shade, especially in hot afternoons. Can I grow this in a pond? Yes, it thrives in wet soils or shallow water margins. How do I overwinter this plant? Lift tubers in zones below 8 and store them in a cool, dry area. How large does it get? It typically reaches 3 to 5 feet in height.
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Root Look
Healthy white roots visible in plug form.
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Soil Look
Dark, rich, moist, organic-looking potting mix.
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Starter Stage
Small, compact starter plug with juvenile, smaller leaves that may show less intense coloration.
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Starter Stage Morphology
Leaves are smaller, heart-shaped, and may appear lighter or greenish-purple before the characteristic dark maturity coloration sets in.
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Video Voiceover Script
Welcome to Agardeni, where inspiration for gardening helps us imagine how and where we will grow Illustris Elephant Ear. This is Illustris Elephant Ear, available as 18, 36, and 72 plant starter trays through the Agardeni Marketplace. Let Illustris Elephant Ear become part of your aspirational plan, helping you imagine the future tropical garden space you want to create. These large heart-shaped leaves reveal a deep purple-black surface contrasted by vibrant lime-green veins that create an architectural masterpiece. Establish your starter by repotting into a four-inch pot with quality well-draining mix, then move to a final container or garden bed once established. Find your inspiration with Agardeni. Explore real plants and real availability. Start. Plan. Grow.
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Youtube Tags
Colocasia Illustris Elephant Ear Tropical Plants Garden Foliage Shade Garden Container Gardening Agardeni Tropical Garden Colocasia antiquorum
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Youtube Video Summary
Explore the dramatic beauty of Colocasia Illustris, a stunning elephant ear with rich, dark foliage and vibrant green veins. Learn how to successfully establish and grow this tropical favorite in your landscape or patio containers.
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Youtube Video Title
Growing Colocasia Illustris: The Dark Leaf Elephant Ear
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Future Buyer Brand Sellers
Possible future seller options for 2.5-inch, 4-inch, and 1-gallon finished plants.