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Growing Inspiration
Inspiration for future Agardeni growing environments.
ornamentalFamily: AraceaeGenus: Colocasia-royalhawaiianSpecies: esculenta
Cultivar
Royal Hawaiian Tropical Storm Elephant Ear
Colocasia-royalhawaiian esculenta 'Tropical Storm'
Cultivar: Tropical Storm
Colocasia 'Tropical Storm' is a striking, clump-forming perennial prized for its deeply colored, dark leaves that showcase vibrant, pale green to creamy white veining. Growing to a manageable, compact size, it is ideal for adding a bold, architectural element to damp garden borders, patios, or large decorative pots. Its unique color contrast makes it a standout feature in shade-loving landscape designs.
Royal Hawaiian 'Tropical Storm' is a stunning clumping elephant ear featuring dramatic, dark foliage with bright, contrasting veining. It is an excellent choice for tropical gardens and containers where a bold, compact look is desired.
Marketplace packs coming soon
Current nursery inventory and 18 / 36 / 72 pricing will appear here when available.
Cultivar Story
Start with Inspiration. Grow Your Aspiration.
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Marketplace Plant
A realistic representation of the starter plants offered in 18, 36, and 72 plant quantities.
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Aspirational Garden
Grow your aspirational plan into an inspirational garden.
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Plant Detail
A closer look at the fruit, flower, foliage, or mature defining characteristics of this cultivar.
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Repotting / Start Growing
Begin with a starter plant and establish it in a larger pot using quality potting soil with beneficials and fertilizer.
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Start · Plan · Grow
Start with real plants. Plan with current marketplace availability. Grow your aspirational garden.
Cultivar Video
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See this cultivar from starter plant to aspirational garden.
Plant Profile
Grow Royal Hawaiian Tropical Storm Elephant Ear with confidence
Key growing information first, with the complete reviewed cultivar profile available when you want it.
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Sun
Partial shade to bright, indirect light
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Water
Thrives in consistently moist to wet soil; never allow to dry out completely.
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Mature size
24-36 inches tall and wide
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Hardiness
8-11
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Growth habit
Clumping perennial
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Plant type
Tropical foliage plant
View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
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View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
Good to know
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Growing note
Best color intensity is achieved in partial shade; excessive direct sun can scorch the foliage in hot climates. Keep consistently moist for best results.
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Climate note
Requires warm temperatures; protect from frost and freezing conditions. In cooler zones, it is often grown as an annual or overwintered indoors.
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Flower / fruit
Rarely flowers in typical garden settings; grown primarily for its decorative foliage.
Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Sun / light
Partial shade to bright, indirect light
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Growth rate
Moderate
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Fertilizer
Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every few weeks during the active growing season for lush leaf development.
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Pruning
Remove older, yellowing, or damaged leaves at the base to maintain a clean appearance.
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Care notes
Best color intensity is achieved in partial shade; excessive direct sun can scorch the foliage in hot climates. Keep consistently moist for best results.
Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Mature size
24-36 inches tall and wide
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Growth habit
Clumping perennial
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Spacing
24-36 inches apart
Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flowering / fruiting
Rarely flowers in typical garden settings; grown primarily for its decorative foliage.
Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Hardiness zones
8-11
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Temperature
Requires warm temperatures; protect from frost and freezing conditions. In cooler zones, it is often grown as an annual or overwintered indoors.
Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Watering
Thrives in consistently moist to wet soil; never allow to dry out completely.
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Soil
Rich, fertile, humus-heavy soil that retains moisture but allows for some drainage.
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Soil pH
5.5-6.5
More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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Container Growing
Highly suitable for containers; ensure a large pot with a drainage hole and use a high-quality, moisture-retentive potting mix.
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Family
Araceae
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Foliage Look
Dark-veined, heart-shaped foliage, leathery texture, deep purple and cream-white contrast.
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Foliage Rules
Leaves are heart-shaped and peltate, with distinct, lighter veins against a dark-purple to near-black blade.
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Fruit Flower Look
N/A (foliage-focused plant).
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Fruit Flower Rules
Flowers are infrequent and typically lack ornamental significance; focus on foliage quality.
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Growth Habit Rules
Maintain a clumping structure; avoid overstretching or leggy stems in low-light conditions.
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Mature Plant Look
Compact, bushy, dark-leaved clump with striking, light-colored venation patterns.
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Mature Stage Morphology
Produces a tight, clumping habit with upright, heart-shaped leaves featuring characteristic dark tones and contrasting light veins.
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Morphology Rules
Ensure leaves remain upright on sturdy petioles. Avoid lopsided or damaged foliage in promotional imagery.
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Plant Faqs
How much light does 'Tropical Storm' need? It prefers partial shade to bright, indirect light. Is this elephant ear cold hardy? It is hardy in zones 8-11 and should be protected from frost. Can I grow this in a pot? Yes, it thrives in containers if kept consistently watered.
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Root Look
Healthy, white, fibrous root mass filling a propagation plug.
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Soil Look
Dark, moist, rich potting medium with visible organic matter.
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Starter Stage
Small, established starter plug with two to three juvenile leaves showing early vein coloration.
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Starter Stage Morphology
Leaves are smaller, heart-shaped, and may have less intense dark pigmentation than mature specimens until acclimated.
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Video Voiceover Script
Welcome to Agardeni, where inspiration for gardening helps us imagine how and where we will grow Royal Hawaiian Tropical Storm Elephant Ear. This is Royal Hawaiian Tropical Storm Elephant Ear, available as 18, 36, and 72 plant starter trays through the Agardeni Marketplace. Let this striking variety become part of your aspirational plan, helping you imagine the lush tropical container garden you want to create. Focus on the deep, dark foliage and the intense, pale veining that creates such a bold, architectural look for your favorite outdoor space. Start your journey by moving the starter plug into a four inch pot with a quality, well-draining mix, then move to a final container when established. Find your inspiration with Agardeni. Explore real plants and real availability. Start. Plan. Grow.
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Youtube Tags
Colocasia Royal Hawaiian Tropical Storm Elephant Ear Tropical Plants Foliage Plants Container Gardening Garden Inspiration Agardeni Perennials
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Youtube Video Summary
Discover the beauty of Colocasia 'Tropical Storm', a compact Royal Hawaiian elephant ear known for its dark, dramatic foliage and contrasting veins. This guide covers how to grow and establish these vibrant tropical plants in your garden or containers.
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Youtube Video Title
Growing Colocasia 'Tropical Storm' (Royal Hawaiian)
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Future Buyer Brand Sellers
Possible future seller options for 2.5-inch, 4-inch, and 1-gallon finished plants.