\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Plant elephant ear bulbs at a depth of 5in (13cm); when they go into the ground they should be around 1in (2.5cm) below the soil. The plant can also be grown in a pond with up to 6" of standing . The tubers can be placed directly outdoors once the threat of frost or freezing temperatures have ceased in your area. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Repotting - Lon & George's Elephant Ears plants come in 10" or 12" grow pots and only need to be repotted every few years if you notice the roots outgrowing the pot, or to refresh the soil and give it . An excellent plant for a shaded porch or patio, it thrives when planted in large containers. ), Why Are My Begonias Dying? Elephant ear tubers have a potato-like texture, making them easy to slice through with a sharp knife. During this period you don't need to water or fertilize the plant. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The size and shape of this plant's leaves are the reason for its name. The elephant ear varieties thrive in water, and you can grow them in a pond making for a fast-growing plant. Spring is the best time to transplant your elephant ear plant. Treat it like any other perennial and bury it under a layer of mulch at least 3 inches (7.6cm) deep. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. In general, the tubers grow stronger with each passing year. The best way to grow these plants is to buy the corms and plant them them in moist soil. Dig up and replant some of your elephant ear plants to spread them out. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Let the corms dry out a bit, then place in a 5-gallon bucket of peat moss, perlite or vermiculite. The lime-green elephant ear leaves grow around 1.5 ft. (0.5 m) long, and the clumping foliage doesn't grow more than 4 ft. (1.2 m) tall. As a result, it is only fair to ensure that the soil remains moist for an extended period of time. Reduce watering through the winter months . By using our site, you agree to our. So it should not be interrupted. Remove soil from roots and separate bulbs. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Sun or Shade: Elephant ears will grow in sun or shade. Our guide has all the details on how to plant elephant ear bulbs. For best results, let the soil temperature rise to at least 65F (18C). Note: Summer and spring fertilization is recommended. Homes & Gardens is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Your elephant ears may undergo root rot or frost ceasing their growth. Your elephant ear plant is just recovering from overfeeding. However, if done during the dormancy period, this procedure will be beneficial (winter). Fertilize elephant's ear plants in the garden in spring, summer, and fall to support the large leaves using a water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer, following manufacturer's instructions. Although, as long as the plant has adequate water, they will tolerate a wide range of soil types. To decide which end goes down on elephant ear bulbs, take a close look. Do not allow the plant to become too hot or too cold, as this can cause the roots to rot. Daytime temperatures should be between 70F and 85F. Once the weather drops below 45 F (7 C) again, cut the plants back to just above the soil, and dig up the bulbs. Then, when its warm enough, transfer them to your garden. Lining your walkway or fence with elephant ear plants has a lovely effect. The growth of your elephant ear plant is threatened by sap-sucking insects such as mealybugs and aphids. Other times, however, gardeners may have to look for small to medium-sized nodules that exist on the bottom of the bulb. Wait until there's no chance of frost occurring overnight so the plant won't get damaged. Cover with 4 inches of soil. Tropical. As previously stated, if its a hot summer, your watering frequency should be slightly higher than in the winter. The best time to cut the leaves is early to mid fall. They all have bold foliage and can add a tropical look to any garden. You may use plastic storage boxes for this purpose. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Keep the soil around your plants consistently moist. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,440,303 times. (Large, as in whiskey-barrel-sized containers.) More often than not, it is recommended that these plants are kept outside because of just how fast they can grow. Elephant's ear grows best in part shade or filtered sun. The Colocasia can be grown partially submersed in water, but they can also rot that way. Research source. You want to plant them as early as possible while ensuring there will be no last cold snaps, explains Tom Monson, owner of Monson Lawn & Landscaping (opens in new tab). Colorful planting partners include canna, coleus, ginger, caladium, sweet potato vine, and philodendron. Prevent Elephant Ears from Taking Over Your Garden. ", Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.gardeningchannel.com/when-to-plant-elephant-ear-bulbs/, https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/elephant-ear.html, https://www.epicgardening.com/elephant-ear-plant/. Growing Elephant Ears from Bulbs in Pots Indoors Rate of growth is fast, and any light is fine. It may take several weeks for the new elephant ear plant to emerge. Zones - growing elephant ears are full hardy in zones 8 to 11. How to Plant and Grow Elephant's Ear Huge leaves and bold vein patterns make elephant's ear easy to spot. In zones 9-11 they can be grown . And the best way to do this is to fill the pot halfway with water and then let it dry. Gently lift the bulbs from the ground and shake off the excess dirt. This Plant Bulbs item is sold by SkipperArtKC. Grow elephant ears in moderate to warm temperatures higher than 70 degrees F for growth and blooming. As a result, its best to keep the room moist. There may be baby corms, too, which you can keep or share with friends! All rights reserved. Pick the Colocasia variety. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Growing the plant in ponds is quite simple and since the pond ensures a consistent supply of water, you won't need to worry about that either. Huge leaves and bold vein patterns make elephant's ear easy to spot. It usually takes 3-8 weeks for elephant ears to sprout. Any small bit of tuber left in the soil can quickly become another mass of elephant ears. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Some people grow them in water, but not all varieties do well that way. If you cant set up your plant for proper lighting or cant control how much sunlight it gets, you should use a grow light that is capable of effectively triggering your plants photosynthetic mechanism. How? However, if taken care of properly, elephant ears can survive in the winter, too. - Grows 2-5ft tall and wide Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, It's striking alongside ponds where its massive leaves create beautiful reflections in the water. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Ships from Kansas City, MO. Or you can dig up the elephant ear bulbs and store them indoors for replanting the following spring. Sit them outside or bring them indoors. This plant often produces a clump of plants in a smaller space rather than running rampant. Press the soil around the plants and cover the top layer with inch of pea gravel to keep the soil in the pot. Fertilizing your elephant ear plant is a great way to keep up with its high nutritional needs especially if youre reviving it after its been severely damaged. In USDA zones 9 through 11, elephant ears thrive in tropical gardens in partial shade or full sun. The best fertilizer is liquid fertilizer 10-10-10. The tip of the tuber should face upwards. It grows 3 feet tall. The Elephant Ear (Colocasia) is a tropical plant that grows up to 9 feet (2.7m) tall and sprouts large, arrow-shaped leaves that resemble the ears on an elephant. How long does it take for Elephant Ears to grow full size? You can cut all of the new growth tubers away from the main plant mass or leave some attached if you want the parent plant to grow larger more quickly. To get the most out of your plant, you need to expose your elephant ear plant to the right amount of light. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Tubers may be started inside 6-8 weeks before all danger of frost has passed. If you live in the warmer areas of the state, grow the elephant ear in the shade. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Elephant ears can become huge plants with gigantic leaves. Because you can deal with an infestation at any time and restore your elephant ear plant to its former glory with little effort. If all else fails but you still love the look of elephant ears, transfer them to pots. The only way to achieve that speedy growth rate is by ensuring your elephant ear plant is thriving in the right conditions. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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