Elephant Ear Care
- Light. Elephant ears can be planted in full sun to part shade, but the best performance will come in a part shade or filtered sun location.
- Soil. Elephant ears grow best in a rich, humusy soil that is moist to the point of being wet—this plant is ideal for boggy areas or around water gardens.
- Water. Keep elephant ear plants consistently moist. They will survive nicely even if covered by as much as 6 inches of standing water.
- Temperature and Humidity. Elephant ears are tropical plants that do best in circumstances that mimic their native habitat. ...
- Fertilizer. Like many large-leaved tropical plants, elephant ears are heavy feeders. Is Elephant Ear Toxic? ...
How to keep elephant ears over the winter?
Seasonal:
- Allow the final flush of flowers to go to seed. Many provide food for the birds and small mammals in fall and winter.
- Pot up plants to winter over indoors. Take cuttings of those annuals that you want to winter over.
- Cut back peony greens to 3 to 4 inches tall.
How do I plant and care for elephant ears?
Elephant Ear Care . Grow elephant ears in slightly acidic soil in partial shade. As a native wetland plant, elephant ears like a lot of water. This makes them a good choice for wet areas where gardeners usually have trouble finding suitable plants. Some varieties are well suited for planting in large containers.
How do elephant ears help them survive?
WHERE TO PLANT ELEPHANT EARS
- CONTAINERS, PATIOS AND DECKS. Elephant ears are a perfect solution for shady porches, decks and other places around your home that are not in full sun.
- WALLS AND FENCES. Planting elephant ears next to a wall or fence protects the plants from wind and too much sun. ...
- ENTRYWAYS. ...
- SCREENING. ...
- INDOOR HOUSEPLANT. ...
How to keep elephant ears from falling over?
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- ⅜ cup shortening
- 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 quart oil for frying
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons white sugar
See more
Should elephant ears be cut back?
Should you cut back elephant ears? You should cut back elephant ears if you live in a colder region and want to store the tubers over winter, to then plant out again the following spring. If you know how to overwinter dahlias, then it is the same process for elephant ears.
Where should elephant ears be sun or shade?
Sun or Shade: Elephant ears will grow in sun or shade. 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 9-11 they can be grown outdoors year-round.
How do you keep giant elephant ears from falling over?
Elephant ears may droop because there is a problem. Try adjusting the amount of light or water or applying a fertilizer. Another reason for drooping is that the large leaves become too heavy. Staking can help support the plants and prevent drooping.
How do you trim elephant ear plants?
Snip off the leaves near the base of the plant, leaving about 2 inches above ground. Make clean cuts straight across the foliage and stems. Do not tear. Discard the leaves in the compost pile or trash.
Do elephant ears do well in pots?
If you decide you don't want to plant your elephant ear plants in the ground, container growing is perfectly acceptable for these plants. Elephant ears do well in containers so long as you provide them with the right sized container, proper soil, and adequate sunlight.
Why do elephant ear plants cry?
Water when the soil starts to feel a little dry. If your Elephant Ear plant gets too much water, it will let you know by “weeping” or dripping water from the tip of the leaf.
Do elephant ears need to be dug up for winter?
It is very important to the success of saving elephant ears for the winter that you dig the elephant ear bulbs out of the ground undamaged. Any damage to the elephant ear bulb may result in the bulb rotting over the winter. In order to keep the bulb undamaged, it is a good idea to start digging about a foot (31 cm.)
Can you leave elephant ears in the ground over winter?
Hardiness Zones 7-11 In these Hardiness Zones, your Elephant Ears can stay in the ground but should be covered to protect them throughout the winter months. Let the stems of your plants die back naturally with the frost. Cutting them can lead to rot. Cover your plants with chopped-up leaves and lawn grass.
How do I get my elephant ears to stand up?
You should be able to wrap the soft stem around the base of the leaves at least 2 times. No need to knot it, just slip the end through one of the loops. It might look a little funny for a day or so, but eventually your "ears" will perk up and stand tall for you.
Should I cut off yellow elephant ear leaves?
2:013:34Trimming a Alocasia Elephant Ear for NEW HEALTHY GROWTH! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere chop it right off kind of get away any dirt just. So you're not introducing any disease intoMoreThere chop it right off kind of get away any dirt just. So you're not introducing any disease into the plant.
How big do elephant ear plants get?
3–6 feet tallHow to Grow and Care for Elephant EarCommon NameElephant ear, taro, coco yamFamilyAraceaePlant TypeTropical perennialMature Size3–6 feet tall, similar spread; smaller in colder climatesSun ExposureFull sun to part shade8 more rows•Apr 21, 2022
Why are the leaves on my elephant ears turning brown?
Pay Attention to the Water Too much or too little water can both cause browning of leaves, though too little water is more likely to be the culprit when the browning starts along the edges of the leaves. Elephant ears are also water-loving plants, so they are more likely to be affected by drought conditions.
Elephant Ears Gardening Uses
There are a number of uses for elephant ears in the garden. These plants come in a variety of colors and sizes. Elephant ear plants can be used as...
Planting Elephant Ear Bulbs
Growing elephant ear plants is easy. Most of these plants prefer rich, moist soil and can be grown in full sun, but they generally prefer partial s...
How to Take Care of An Elephant Ear Plant
Once established, elephant ears require little attention. During dry spells, you may want to water plants regularly, especially those growing in co...
How do elephant ears grow?
Alocasis and Xanthosoma species of elephant ear grow from hard corm-like roots that can't be divided. These plants are sometimes propagated by collecting and planting seeds from the flowers, though this is time-consuming and difficult.
What is an elephant ear?
Elephant ears are tropical perennial plants grown for the appeal of the large leaves rather than for their flowers. Elephant ear is the common name is used for several species in three plant genera— Colocasia, Alocasis, and Xanthosoma. The most commonly grown plant Colocasia esculenta, also known as taro. Whatever the species, elephant ears are ...
How big are elephant ears?
While these leaves can reach 3 feet long and 2 feet wide in the tropics, in colder climates they will remain smaller (but still impressive).
What zones do elephant ears live in?
Temperature and Humidity. Elephant ears are tropical plants that do best in circumstances that mimic their native habitat. They will be evergreen in USDA zones 10 to 11, but will likely die back to the ground in zones 8 to 9 to return in the spring.
Can elephant ears be planted indoors?
In warm zones (8 and above) the root can be left in the ground as a perennial, while in colder zones the plants are either treated as annuals, discarded at the end of the season, or dug up and stored indoors for planting the following spring. In any landscape, elephant ears provide an infusion of tropical atmosphere.
Can you plant elephant ears in a pot?
Potting and Repotting Elephant Ears. Elephant ears are sometimes grown in large containers as patio plants, but it is important to use a potting mix with a lot of organic matter that holds moisture.
Is an elephant's ear edible?
Elephant ears' species name, esculentia, is the same term that gives us the word "esculent," meaning edible. In fact, elephant ears are an important food source in warm climates around the world. The roots (known as taro root) and the leaves are both edible. However, the leaves need to be cooked before they are consumed.
Where to grow elephant ears?
You often find this type of plant in certain areas. Here are some of the common locations gardeners grow their Elephant Ears. Decking, patios, and containers: The plants are perfect for areas around your home that don’t receive full sun. Decking, porches, or patios are ideal, as are areas around water gardens to add a tropical plants feeling.
How big do elephant ears get?
How To Care For Elephant Ears. Elephant Ears or taking their correct name of Alocasia and Colocasia can grow to a magnificent size. Leaves often reach to 2 feet wide , and their foliage can range from nearly black in color to lime green. It is possible to grow these plants indoors as well as out and are perfect for strategically placed container ...
Why are my elephant ears brown?
While this can be from overwatering or underwatering, the issues are most often because of a lack of water . If your home faces drought conditions, then these are not ideal for these water-loving plants.
Why are my elephant ear leaves yellow?
You have several options here as to what may cause this on your elephant ear plant. Again, it could be the amount of sun or the amount of watering.
How to care for rhizomes after first frost?
Here are the steps to care for your rhizomes over the winter after the first frost. Place in an open container full of peat moss, or you can use dry potting soil. Be sure to cover your rhizome lightly. Store them in a dry area that has contact temperatures of 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can you leave elephant ear plants in the winter?
If your USDA zone won’t face any frost and the temperatures will remain high enough, You can leave your plants as these temperatures are more akin to their native Southeast Asian environment. In colder zones, you can follow these steps to winterize your plant and then start growing elephant ear plants the next year.
How to grow elephant ears?
Planting Elephant Ear Bulbs. Growing elephant ear plants is easy. Most of these plants prefer rich, moist soil and can be grown in full sun, but they generally prefer partial shade. The tubers can be placed directly outdoors once the threat of frost or freezing temperatures have ceased in your area. Plant the tubers about 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) ...
What is an elephant ear plant?
Image by Lori L. Stalteri. The elephant ear plant ( Colocasia) provides a bold tropical effect in nearly any landscape setting. In fact, these plants are commonly grown for their large, tropical-looking foliage, which is reminiscent of elephant ears.
Can elephant ears survive winter?
Elephant ears cannot survive winter outdoors. Freezing temperatures kill foliage and damage tubers. Therefore, in areas with harsh, cold winters (like those in northernmost regions), the plants must be dug up and stored indoors. Cut the foliage back to about a couple of inches (5 cm.) after the first frost in your area and then carefully dig up ...
What Do Elephant Ear Plants Look Like?
Elephant ear plants have enormous, heart-shaped (or elephant ear-shaped) leaves that can reach up to three feet long and two feet wide when growing wild in the tropics. They can come in rich green, variegated, or purple colors.
How Much Sun Does an Elephant Ear plant Need?
Indoor elephant ear plants thrive with lots of indirect sunlight. You should place your pot in an area of the home with bright windows that will cast a lot of indirect light on the plant. Avoid too much direct sunlight, as too much harsh sun can bleach or discolor the leaves.
What Temperature Works Best?
Since this plant is home to the tropics, it does best in warm environments. The best temperature for this plant is between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Does an Elephant Ear Plant Enjoy Humidity?
Elephant ear plants are native to tropical areas, so they enjoy humid environments. Consider placing this plant in a bathroom with a shower since that becomes a routinely humid room in a home. You can also add pebbles to the soil for this plant since that creates more humidity when the water evaporates.
How Often Do You Water Elephant Ear Plants?
Elephant ear plants require lots of water and don’t mind living in moist soil. You may need to water the plant daily during the growing season and ensure that the soil does not dry out entirely during the warmer summer months. However, you won’t need to water the plant as much during the winter months.
What Size Does an Alocasia Macrorrhiza Grow to Typically?
With proper care inside your home, you can expect this plant to get to 6 feet or more in height.
Can You use Mulch on this Plant?
Placing mulch or other organic matter around the top of the planter can help keep the potting soil moist and help regulate the soil temperature. This prevents the plant from drying out too much or getting too cold.
How to keep elephant ears from freezing?
Discontinue watering through the winter. This forces elephant ear tubers into dormancy. Cut all the stalks down at the soil level. In the spring when the temperature is consistently at or above 60 degrees F, water when the top of the soil feels dry. Once the last frost has passed, you can return the pots outdoors.
How to cut out dead leaves from elephant ears?
Sanitize your shears before and after cutting elephant ears, or any other plants in the garden, to keep possible diseases from spreading. Use 1 part bleach mixed with 3 parts water. Dip each blade in the solution for 5 minutes, then rinse and air dry.
What is the best mulch for elephant ears?
The mulch helps insulate the soil. Sawdust, seed-free straw, leaf-mold and compost all make good mulching materials. All parts of the elephant ear are poisonous if ingested. When pruning or trimming, keep any cuttings of the foliage, roots and leaves away from pets and children.
What zone do elephant ears grow in?
The care and effort it takes to overwinter elephant ears ( Colocasia spp. ), which grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11 with some variation within species, depends on your climate.
How to get rid of a tuber in winter?
Brush soil away from the surface and identify the shape and size of the tuber, then dig down around the outside of the root and lift it from the soil. Brush off extra dirt and pack the tubers in dry sawdust or peat moss in a bucket or tub. Keep the tubers dry in a 50-degrees F spot through the winter. Advertisement.
Do elephant ears grow year round?
In frost-free tropical and sub-tropical areas, these lush foliage plants grow year-round with minimal winter care. In frost-prone regions, overwintering elephant ears takes a little more effort, but it's worth it when the 2- to 3-foot-long heart-shaped leaves bring a tropical flair to the garden the following summer. Advertisement.
Can elephant ears be grown indoors?
Overwintering Indoors. Outside of the growing zone -- anywhere colder than USDA zone 8 -- elephant ears are not reliably hardy. The roots will freeze in the cold soil, killing the plants. In cold areas you have two choices: you can grow elephant ears in pots and keep them in a frost-free area over winter in a dormant state, ...
What are elephant ears?
Elephant ears are a delightful plant for any garden! With their colorful, bold foliage, they look equally at home in the landscape or containers —and yes, their leaves resemble the ears of an elephant! Two types of plants commonly are referred to as elephant ears: Colocasia, with leaves that point downward, and alocasia, with leaves that often point upward. Both offer stunning beauty with their tropical flair. Their foliage ranges from a few inches wide to a more than a foot across! They provide privacy if planted in pots to line your patio or balcony, and they’re the perfect water plant alongside ponds and waterfalls. “Native to Southeast Asia, these are great plants because they’re beautiful and trouble-free,” says Venelin Dimitrov, senior product manager for vegetables and herbs at Burpee. “They’re also fast growers that love the heat and provide a lot of drama in your garden.”
How to get baby corms out of the ground?
Use a digging fork or spade to lift the corms gently out of the ground. There may be baby corms, too, which you can keep or share with friends! Let the corms dry out a bit, then place in a 5-gallon bucket of peat moss, perlite or vermiculite.
Do elephant ears grow in pots?
Elephant ears prefer well-draining soil, so if your yard is solid clay, you’ll do better planting in pots. They grow from corms, which are swollen underground stems that store food for the plant, says Dimitrov. Some may be as small as your fist, while others can be softball size!
Is elephant ear poisonous to pets?
Unfortunately, elephant ear is toxic to pets and contains calcium oxalates, which cause swelling of the mouth, lips and tongue, drooling, and vomiting. If your pet likes to nibble on plants, keep this one away from him or he! And if you think your pet has ingested any part of this plant, call your vet ASAP.
Can elephant ears be brought indoors?
Elephant ears should be dug up for winter in cold climates. In cold climates, small pots can be brought indoors and enjoyed as a houseplant during the winter. In USDA zones 8 and higher (find yours here ), they can stay in the ground to return the following spring.
What to plant with elephant ears?
Combine elephant ears with other tropical-looking plants like cannas, bananas, variegated tapioca, caladiums, and coleus for a summer jungle garden. An alocasia in a container placed out in the garden can be a movable focal point, and can hide the bare spot left when spring-blooming bulbs go dormant.
How long do elephant ears stay dry?
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.
How big is an elephant ear?
A large elephant ear, three to five feet tall, with upward-pointing, two-foot wide, dark green leaves, slightly ruffled along the edges. Leaf stalks and veins on the leaf undersides are a striking ebony purple. Prefers part sun to shade.
What temperature do elephant ears grow in?
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.
How to keep a sage plant from yellowing?
They're not heavy feeders. Apply a slow-release fertilizer at planting time, following package directions. If foliage shows yellowing, it’s probably a micronutrient deficiency. A fertilizer with micronutrients can be applied, or sprinkle Epsom salts around the base of each plant on a monthly basis.
Do elephant ears like wet feet?
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.
Can elephant ears be planted in pots?
Yes, elephant ears can be planted in pots. Since they grow quite large, you’ll want to select a container that is roomy and stable. Container-grown plants can easily be moved inside when cold weather arrives and enjoyed as houseplants.
