Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
Distant Memory Elephant Ear: Near-Black Leaves for Summer Pots
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Distant Memory elephant ear makes a dramatic dark mass in a single season. Its heart-shaped leaves, 18 to 24 inches long, are a glossy dark mahogany shading to near black, held out on dark stems, with new leaves rising steadily from the center. It is shorter and fuller than its well-known sister 'Black Swan', sending up more side shoots, so it fills a big pot quickly at about 4 to 4½ feet tall and 5 feet wide.
Distant Memory at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Colocasia esculenta 'Distant Memory' |
| Foliage | Glossy dark mahogany to near black, 18 to 24 inches long |
| Size | About 48 to 54 inches tall, 5 to 5½ feet wide |
| Flowers | Insignificant |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 8 to 10 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Deer | Resistant; rabbits leave it alone |
A different kind of companion
Elephant ears and lavender could not be more different. Lavender wants lean, dry soil; Distant Memory wants rich soil that stays wet and regular feeding. So it does not go in the lavender bed. Instead, use it where its moody leaves can frame the sunny garden: a pair of big pots flanking a patio, a rain garden, or a damp, well-watered bed nearby. The near-black foliage makes purple lavender and silver leaves look brighter by contrast from a distance.
It also fills a role lavender cannot: sheer tropical size. One plant in a large container makes a focal point by midsummer. Sketch where it fits in the Companion Plant Planner.
Summer care
- Planting out: wait until nights are reliably warm. Elephant ears stall in cold soil.
- Water: constant moisture. In full sun, keep the soil wet to avoid leaf scorch.
- Feeding: fertilize regularly during summer for the biggest leaves.
- Problems: few in Michigan summers; leaf spots can show in hot, wet weather.
Winter storage
Distant Memory is not hardy in Michigan. After frost blackens the leaves, dig the tuber, let it dry and store it in dry peat or wood shavings at about 45 to 55°F. Or bring the whole potted plant indoors to a bright, warm spot, and watch for spider mites, which are common on plants kept inside over winter.
It is offered as a 20-cell plug tray, a manageable size for growers and anyone filling a set of large summer containers. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to eat?
No. It is grown as an ornamental. Raw leaves and tubers contain calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and skin, so wear gloves when handling and keep it away from pets that chew.
Will it come back next year if I leave it in the ground?
Not in Michigan. Dig and store the tuber, or overwinter the pot indoors.
Sun or shade?
Either works. Full sun needs more water; part shade is more forgiving.
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