Colocasia fallax - Silver Leaf Dwarf Elephant Ear
Best tropical groundcover for gardeners with damp, shaded spaces.
Discover the Colocasia fallax, the Silver Leaf Dwarf Elephant Ear, a charming plant perfect for adding a touch of the tropics to shady, moist garden areas. Its velvety leaves feature a striking silver streak and radiating veins, creating unique patterned foliage. This dwarf variety, reaching about 18 inches tall, blooms with delicate yellow flowers throughout the summer. Ideal for bog gardens, rain gardens, or any damp, shaded spot, it also offers resistance to deer and rabbits, making it a resilient and beautiful addition to your landscape.
$27.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 3082
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-2%
Below average
Hardiness Zones
710
/ b to b
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking high-contrast, metallic foliage for visual impact
- Urban dwellers with limited patio or container space
- Collectors hunting for rare and unusual tropical specimens
Who should skip it
- Northern gardeners unwilling to manage winter protection or lifting
- Busy homeowners unable to provide consistent moisture and humidity
- Budget-conscious shoppers looking for common, affordable nursery stock
Performance breakdown
Shade Tolerance
Thrives in low-light conditions where most tropicals struggle to survive.
Moisture Adaptability
Perfect for boggy spots or rain gardens that stay consistently damp.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deters deer and rabbits from snacking on your landscape.
Visual Impact
Striking silver foliage provides high-contrast texture in shaded garden beds.
Space Efficiency
Compact dwarf habit fits perfectly into small gardens or containers.
Growth Vigor
Spreads steadily to create a lush, tropical groundcover effect over time.
Key Specs
Hardiness Zones
7b to 10b
Mature Height
1.5 feet tall
Mature Width
2.0 feet wide
Culture Requirement
Partial Sun to Partial Shade
Water Requirement
High
Soil Type Preference
Well-drained
Bloom Time
Summer
Flower Color
Yellow
Features
- Velvety leaves with distinctive silver markings
- Compact dwarf size for smaller spaces
- Thrives in wet and shady conditions
- Deer and rabbit resistant foliage
- Adds tropical appeal to gardens
- Blooms yellow flowers all summer
- Spreads for groundcover effect
- Suitable for bog and rain gardens
What customers say
Customers express high satisfaction with the Colocasia fallax 'Silver Leaf Dwarf Elephant Ear,' focusing primarily on its unique design and the quality of the nursery stock. Reviewers consistently praise the striking, velvety silver foliage, noting its exceptional visual contrast in the garden. The dwarf habit is a major advantage, making this dramatic tropical look accessible for smaller spaces and containers. Plant Delights earns strong approval for meticulous packaging and delivering exceptionally healthy starter plants, ensuring successful establishment. While the price is premium, the investment is widely considered justified by the plant's rarity, robust performance, and significant aesthetic impact. This distinctive specimen is highly recommended for collectors seeking reliable, unique foliage.
Know before you buy
Since this variety reaches a mature width of about two feet and spreads over time, planting them 18 to 24 inches apart will allow them to fill in nicely as a cohesive groundcover.
While it thrives in bog or rain gardens due to its high water needs, it will perform well in any garden bed as long as the soil remains consistently moist and the location provides partial shade.
Yes, this plant is generally avoided by deer and rabbits, making it a reliable choice for landscapes where browsing wildlife is a common concern.
As a perennial in zones 7b through 10b, the foliage will typically die back in colder temperatures and return from the roots once the weather warms in the spring.
While it is shade-tolerant, it performs best in partial shade. Providing some filtered light will encourage better foliage color and increase the likelihood of it producing its yellow summer blooms.
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Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$27