Elephant ears will only truly thrive in warmer areas similar to their native humid climates of Southeast Asia, and with daytime temperatures of 70 to 85F, and nights no lower than 60F.
They can be grown in cooler areas, but will need to be replanted each year. Most prefer filtered sun or shade, but some tolerate full sun. In general, green types can take higher light levels; darker-leaved ones need more filtered light or shade.
Elephant ears need rich soil that is moist not saturated , but well-drained. Most don't like wet feet, though a few are tolerant of wet conditions—like the big-leaved colocasias you might see in water gardens. A general rule is big, green elephant ears are practically indestructible and can tolerate variable moisture conditions; dark-leaved types will suffer if over watered and can stay dry for several days. To prevent disease problems, water in the morning so they go into the night dry.
If possible, water from below at the root zone rather than from above, to keep water off the leaves. They're not heavy feeders. Apply a slow-release fertilizer at planting time, following package directions. A fertilizer with micronutrients can be applied, or sprinkle Epsom salts around the base of each plant on a monthly basis.
Their rapid growth creates a show even during a short growing season, making them worthy as one-shot annuals of benefit to northern gardeners. But among the 70 or so species and their cultivars, there are small, medium, and large sizes; leaf shapes from wide hearts to slim arrowheads; colors accentuated with bright veining and spots; and textures from slick and glossy to thick and waxy.
While their use in gardens has given them their current cachet, many also make good houseplants. This caladium with pink, white, and green foliage can be grown in sunny to shady locations, as well as indoors as a houseplant.
Grows 15 to 20 inches tall and 8 to 10 inches wide. Hardy in Zones 10 to 11, otherwise grown as an annual. Photo by: Proven Winners. An elegant choice that grows 15 to 20 inches tall and 8 to 10 inches wide. This strap-leaf variety can withstand full sun or shade. A fancy red form with contrasting shades of green and orange. Grow outside in shade to sun, or indoors on a sunny windowsill. This fancy-leaved variety prefers shade to part shade and grows 15 to 20 inches tall and 10 to 14 inches wide.
It has a lemony-green leaves with hot pink center and veins. This fancy-leaf variety grows to 20 inches tall and 14 inches wide and likes conditions on the shadier side. It can also be grown as a houseplant. This variety grows three to five feet tall in the garden. Its leaves have dramatic green veining against a black background. Illustris loves wet conditions and is also adaptable as a houseplant. If you put them in a hot, sunny location, make sure they get a little shade during the middle of the day.
ZONE: Elephant ears are tropical plants. In zones they can be grown outdoors year-round. In cooler areas zones the bulbs are planted in the spring and usually grown as annuals. In northern climates this will be early June. To get a jump on the season, elephant ears can be planted indoors, 4 to 6 weeks before you plan to put them outside.
Plant the tubers in pots and grow them a warm, sunny window. Wait until the soil is warm and there's no danger of frost. Loosen the soil 8" deep.
Dig a hole about 5" deep. Set the tuber in the hole, pointy side up. Cover the tuber with soil and water thoroughly. Did you know you can get premium answers for this article? Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow. Lauren Kurtz Professional Gardener. Lauren Kurtz. Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Not Helpful 3 Helpful Do I have to dig them up every winter, or can I leave the tuber in the ground? Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0.
Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0. Especially in winter. Anything below 50 degrees is too cold for them. Pots are perfect as they can be brought indoors for the winter and then brought back outside for the summer.
Not Helpful 11 Helpful Where I live our last frost is in May, when should I plant the tubers indoors to be able to have a small sprouting plant to transfer outside? Start your tuber in a large pot indoors in mid-late April. Transfer the started plant outside when night temperatures are over 50 degrees. Why do you recommend digging them up over the winter?
I leave mine in the ground and they come back every year. If you live in a climate zone where there's no danger of the tuber freezing, or you can insure that it has enough mulch covering it to make freezing a non-issue, then you can leave it in the ground.
On the other hand, if you live in an area where it's sub-freezing for an extended period of time and the tuber, even 2" deep, could freeze, you'll lose it if you leave it in the ground. Your choice. Not Helpful 0 Helpful What can cause the elephant ear plant to droop or lay down?
Droopy leaves mean you need to water the plant. And yes, you can grown elephant ear plants as indoor houseplants. When potted, it can go outside in the summer and inside for the winter. Not Helpful 16 Helpful One reader kept this plant in a 5 gallon container for close to 20 years. It can be a house plant in the winter and summer with some time spent outside in warm weather, helping to prolong its life. Not Helpful 20 Helpful Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. The leaves contain oxalic acid which is toxic when eaten raw. Keep children and animals away from the plants. If poisoning occurs, go to the hospital immediately.
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. Wear gloves when planting or handling your plant if you have sensitive skin. Related wikiHows How to. How to. More References 7. About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: Updated: May 18, Article Summary X To grow elephant ear plants, wait until the spring after the last frost has passed.
Italiano: Coltivare le Orecchie di Elefante. Deutsch: Elefantenohrpflanzen kultivieren. Nederlands: Olifantsoor kweken. Elephant ears tend to grow quickly, and they'll do so even more speedily with the application of fertilizer at half strength every three weeks or so.
This type of elephant ear is native to south Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, Australia and the Pacific Islands, with the taro plant Colocasia esculenta, which grows in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 8, per Horticulture — most other Colocasia varieties grow in zones 9 through 11 being one of the more popular varieties, with over cultivars grown for both its culinary and ornamental qualities.
When started in an outdoor bed or an indoor container and generously watered, top growth begins to appear in as soon as three weeks. On the tail end, expect top growth in a maximum of eight weeks. Growth will continue through the warm seasons. At maturity in their native habitats, the waxy, upright leaves of Colocasia elephant ears can grow about 2 or 3 feet wide, with varieties like Colocasia gigantea 'Thailand Giant' sporting leaves up to 5 feet long and 4 feet wide.
However, they will be smaller in size when grown as a seasonal plant. Colocasia reaches heights of about 4 feet.
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