The elephant ear plant named Pink China (Colocasia esculenta ‘Pink China’) is an exotic tropical foliage plant known for its huge pink-veined leaves. Adding a touch of the tropics to gardens and containers this elephant ear variety thrives with the right care. Here is a complete guide to growing the beautiful Pink China elephant ear plant.
Pink China Elephant Ear Plant Overview
- Type: Tender bulbous perennial, grown as an annual in colder climates
- Native to: Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands
- Mature size: 3 to 5 feet tall and wide
- Features: Dramatic large leaves up to 2 feet long. Leaf stems and veins are pinkish-red.
- Hardiness: Grown as an annual in zones 6 and below. Perennial in zones 7-11.
- Light needs: Grows best in full sun, but tolerates some shade.
- Soil: Rich, moist soil high in organic matter.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, without letting it dry out.
Advantages of the Pink China Elephant Ear
This hybrid elephant ear variety offers
- Huge, vibrant foliage and visually striking pink veins
- Fast growth rate, matures quickly during warm months
- Adds exotic, tropical look to gardens, pools, patio containers
- Tolerates some shade better than other elephant ears
How to Plant Pink China Elephant Ears
Pink China elephant ears can be planted from bulbs, plant divisions or young plants. Follow these tips:
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Plant in spring after the last frost date. Soil temperature should be at least 70°F.
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Give elephant ears rich, loose soil amended with compost or manure. They need nutrient-rich conditions.
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Plant the bulb or plant with the top 1/3 above soil level. Plant 3-6 inches deep.
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Space plants 36-48 inches apart to allow for mature growth.
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Soak the soil thoroughly after planting and mulch around plants.
Caring for Pink China Elephant Ears
To keep your Pink China elephant ears thriving, provide:
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Frequent watering – at least 1-2 inches per week from rain or irrigation. Soil should stay moist.
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Monthly fertilizing during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Pruning any damaged leaves or removing dead leaves.
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Staking large plants if needed for support.
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Moving container plants to part shade during extreme afternoon heat.
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Bringing containers indoors if overnight temps dip below 50°F.
Growing Pink China Elephant Ears in Pots
The Pink China elephant ear is ideal for large patio containers and planters. Follow these tips for success:
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Use at least a 20-24 inch diameter container for each plant.
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Make sure containers have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
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Use a quality potting mix formulated for tropical plants.
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Fertilize monthly to supply nutrients. Use controlled-release fertilizer pellets.
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Move pots to a sheltered location or indoors if frost is expected.
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Store dormant bulbs over winter in a cool, dry place and replant in spring.
Overwintering Elephant Ear Bulbs
In zones 6 and below, dig up bulbs before first frost and store for winter:
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Allow foliage to die back after light frost. Dig bulbs using gloves.
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Dry bulbs for 2-3 weeks in indirect sunlight, brushing off excess soil.
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Place bulbs in peat moss or vermiculite in a cool (50-60°F), dry spot.
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Check bulbs during winter for rotting and discard any that are soft.
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In spring, replant the bulbs outdoors after the soil has warmed.
Troubleshooting Problems
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Drooping leaves – Ensure regular watering. Heat/drought stress causes leaves to droop.
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Holes in leaves – Caused by insect pests; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap.
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Few flowers – These plants are grown mainly for foliage. But too much nitrogen fertilizer can inhibit flowering.
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Failure to overwinter – Caused by temperatures too cold for the bulbs or excess moisture leading to rot.
Tips for Growing Success
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Site pink china elephant ears in full sun to partial shade where they’ll get at least 4 hours of direct sun daily.
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Shelter from strong winds, which can shred the large leaves.
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Group with plants having similar water needs. Surround with moist-loving plants.
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Remove spent flowers to encourage more leaf growth.
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Mulch beds to keep soil evenly moist and suppress weeds.
With proper conditions and care, the Pink China elephant ear will quickly become the star of your tropical garden!
Frequency of Entities
pink china: 16
elephant ear: 15
plant: 7
bulb: 6
soil: 6
foliage: 5
water: 5
container: 4
zones: 4
leaf: 3
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A Colocasia Pink China Experiment…
FAQ
How big do pink china elephant ears get?
Does Colocasia pink china like sun or shade?
Do elephant ear plants need sun or shade?
What is an elephant ears plant?
The dramatic elephant ears plant is a large, tropical foliage plant with magnificent, heart-shaped or arrow-shaped leaves. In colder regions, they need to be dug up and stored before winter arrives. Here’s how to grow and care for elephant ears in your garden. Few plants rival elephant ears in making a big impression.
What is a pink China plant?
‘Pink China’ is a clump-forming colocasia hybrid, and is one of the hardiest. It has bright pink stems that bear matte green leaves Elephant ears should be planted slightly deeper than they grow as they will push up. During the growing season, Colocasia will continually produce new leaves as the older leaves continually die off.
Can pink China elephant ears be grown in Zone 6?
Yes, ‘Pink China’ is a lovely plant that can be grown in Zone 6 gardens. It displays bright pink stems and attractive green leaves, each with a single pink dot in the center. Here are some tips on growing Colocasia ‘Pink China’: Plant it in indirect sunlight.
Where can I find a pink China plant in Connecticut?
Logee’s Nursery in Connecticut. Elephant Ear ‘Pink China’ (Colocasia hybrid) has brilliant pink stems and rich green leaves with a pink dot in the center to add vibrant color to any container or garden. Possibly the hardiest of all colocasias, ‘Pink China’ can tolerate zone 6 with a heavy layer of mulch as winter protection.
How tall do elephant ears grow?
It grows up to 7 feet tall. ‘Diamond Head’ has 2 ½-feet long rippled, heart-shaped, purple to black leaves. ‘Pink China’ has green leaves on pinkish stems. It is one of the hardiest elephant ears and may survive in Zone 5 to 6. ‘Fontanesii’ is a tall hybrid with dark green leaves on purple stems.
Are elephant ear trees hardy?
This elephant ear is reportedly as hardy as Musa Basjoo (the Japaneses Fiber Bannana) and it looks great planted under the banana tree. The plant has medium green leaves, but it is easily identified by the pink dot in the center of the leaves. The stems also are very pink in color at times, but not quite so bold at other times.