Deciduous Perennial
(usually grown as an annual near you)
Clump-Forming in the Araceae Family
he cupped foliage will collect rainwater until there is enough water to bend the stem and pour the water out. It is really cool and will appeal to kids of all ages.
'Coffee Cups' is an elephant ear discovered in the wild in Indonesia by botanist Gregory Hambali and introduced to US cultivation by the late aroid expert Alan Galloway. Its glossy, deep olive-green leaves with mocha veins and stems cup into a distinctive bowl shape, collecting rainwater until the stem bends under the weight and pours it out, a favorite feature with kids. Marketed by Proven Winners as part of their Island Giants collection, it has racked up numerous university and botanic garden trial-performance awards.
Pros
Whimsical, water-catching cupped leaves that delight kids
Multiple-award trial-garden performer
Tolerates drought better than many Colocasia once established
Bold tropical presence for containers or beds
Cons
Not reliably frost-hardy outside zone 8a-11b; needs winter protection or digging up further north
Looks best with consistent moisture despite some drought tolerance
Potentially toxic if ingested; keep away from pets and children
This plant is probably not winter-hardy outdoors where you live.
Highlights
Award Winner
Foliage Interest
Heat Tolerant
Deadheading Not Necessary
Water Plant
Plant Data
Mature Size
3 - 5 feet
tall. 30 - 48 inches
wide.
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance
Medium - Wet
Zones
8a - 11b
(Usually hardy to 10° F)
Tags
Annual in Chicago, Colorful Foliage, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Full Sun, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Insignificant Flowers, Medium, Partial Sun, Perennial, Potentially Toxic, Rabbit Resistant, Shade Tolerant, Tender Perennial, Thrillers, Tropical, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant
We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants
Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.
Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.
Estimated Recipe Cost
The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.
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About Ordering From The Plant Club
To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.
Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!
No Pricing or Availability Right Now
We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region.
It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.
Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!