Elephant Ear

Colocasia esculenta

Dramatic Tropical Foliage

Pet & Human Safety

Toxic to people and pets

Hazardous parts

flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, seeds, stems

Preparation

Not a food plant; no preparation guidance is given. Every part of the plant is a hazard if eaten.

Hazard type

mouth and throat pain, drooling and vomiting from calcium oxalate crystals if any part is swallowed

Hazard route

ingestion of any part of the plant

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is complete as far as our sources go. That is not a statement that the plant is safe.

Toxic to pets

Calcium oxalate crystals are present in every part of the plant (NC State Extension). If eaten, the crystals cause mouth pain, drooling and vomiting. ASPCA lists the same toxic principle and rates it toxic to dogs, cats and horses; its listed signs are oral irritation, pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), and difficulty swallowing. This app does not say any part of the plant is safe for a pet to chew or eat.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 8a-11b (NC State Extension).
Mature size: 3-6 feet tall, 3-6 feet wide (NC State Extension).
Family: Araceae (aroid family)

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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Anatomy & Guilds

Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics

How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.

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Field Doctor

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

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Vintage Plates

Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.

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Sources

How we choose sources

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