Plants→Elephant Ears (Xanthosoma)→Arrow Leaf Elephant's Ear (Xanthosoma sagittifolium)

Arrowleaf Elephant ear is a herbaceous perennial native to tropical South America. It has large fleshy underground tubers that are round to elongate in shape. The plant can attain heights to 8 feet, with large light green leaves that sometimes grow to six feet in length. Xanthosoma sagittifolium are highly variable plants, specimens differ and not all leaves on all plants appear the same.

I grow this plant in a bright shady location in the backyard and it sometimes goes dormant in my garden, depending on how cold our winters are. This plant needs protection from high winds to keep the fragile leaves from becoming shredded.

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I purchased this as an edible root 'yautia' from a grocery store. My googling says it is this plant. I sprouted and grew it. Native to lowland tropical South America, I expect it likes plenty of water. Like other elephant ear types, the spider mites like it. By the second year, it got over 3 feet tall. If you re patient and like trying things, this is a cheap way to get an elephant ear.

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