Is Elephant Ear deer resistant?
Colocasia esculenta
Toxic to cats and dogs if eaten
About Elephant Ear
Enormous leaves for tropical effect, from a tuber lifted and stored over winter in cold regions. Calcium oxalate makes every part burn the mouth, which is why deer ignore it.
Soil and care
- Soil pH
- 5.5 to 7
- Drainage
- Consistently moist
- Water
- High
- Spacing
- 24 to 35 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Maintenance
- Moderate
Similar to Elephant Ear
Other bulbs with the same deer rating.
- Calla LilyZantedeschia sp.Zones 8–11, genus rangeSeldom damaged
- CamassiaCamassia leichtliniiZones 4–8Seldom damaged
- Canna LilyCanna sp.Zones 8–11, genus rangeSeldom damaged
- CrocusCrocus sp.Zones 3–8, genus rangeSeldom damaged
- GladiolusGladiolus sp.Zones 7–10, genus rangeSeldom damaged
- Glory LilyGloriosa superbaZones 8–12Seldom damaged
Where Elephant Ear grows
Hardy across most of these 23 states on zone range alone. Mountain and coastal areas sit outside the ranges used here, so check your own zone before ordering.
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Every list Elephant Ear belongs to.
Hardy in these zones
Common questions about Elephant Ear
- Is Elephant Ear deer resistant?
- Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta) is rated Seldom Severely Damaged on the Rutgers NJAES four-tier scale. Light browsing at worst; rarely ruined.
- What hardiness zones does Elephant Ear grow in?
- Elephant Ear is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11. Outside that range it will either not survive winter or will struggle with summer heat.
- Does Elephant Ear grow in shade?
- Yes. Elephant Ear tolerates part shade, which makes it one of the options for a shaded bed where deer also browse.
- How big does Elephant Ear get?
- Mature height is roughly 36–72 in. Growth rate is fast.
- Is Elephant Ear toxic to dogs or cats?
- Yes. The ASPCA lists Elephant Ear as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Site it away from where animals graze, or choose something else if you have a dog that chews.