Colocasia gigantea 'Thailand Giant Strain': The Colossal Elephant Ear

The Super-Sized Elephant Ear

Colocasia gigantea 'Thailand Giant Strain' is a monumental selection of the giant elephant ear, originally collected in Thailand. Its staggering leaf size—up to 5 feet long and 4 feet wide—makes it one of the largest herbaceous perennials in cultivation.

Botanical Profile

Jurassic Proportions

This clump-forming perennial reaches 7-10 feet tall with a similar spread. The leaves are truly massive—heart-shaped, medium green, with a velvety texture, held on thick, succulent petioles. The scale is awe-inspiring: a single leaf can shade a garden bench. Inconspicuous flowers may appear in summer but are hidden by the foliage.

'Thailand Giant' demands full sun to partial shade, rich soil, and abundant water—it's a wetland plant by nature. Heavy feeding fuels the massive growth. Hardy in zones 8-10; in colder zones, lift corms after frost and store cool and dry, or grow in very large containers.

Maximum Tropical Drama

Use as a singular focal point, at water's edge, or in large-scale tropical plantings. Nothing else delivers this scale of foliage drama. The leaves move dramatically in wind. Combine with other large tropicals (cannas, bananas, gingers) for a true jungle effect. A plant that stops traffic and starts conversations.