Large, shiny green, leathery, arrow-shaped leaves <75cm long on stalks <1.5m high. Zone 8b and further south may be able to overwinter outside with some protection but a hard winter might make its spring comeback difficult. Not exactly! Place them somewhere with light and adjust your watering as the plant goes semi-dormant. But those infections need moisture, so drying out your bulbs (and storing them in a well-ventilated paper bag) will keep them safe. If you can get your hands on some manure (please wear gloves), the plants will love you for the tasty meal. These different but related genera have similar planting requirements, with a few little special quirks of their own. Q: What’s the best way to overwinter my elephant ear plant? ELEPHANT EAR CARE. How to Plant Elephant Ear Bulbs and Seeds. Dig a 6 in (15 cm) border around the bulbs. This article has been viewed 1,341,224 times. 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? I am interested in planting elephant ears in my, "It's been many years since I planted elephant ear tubers, so I needed a refresher on the amount of sunlight and, "I was concerned about growth in a pot in full sun. Treat it like any other perennial and bury it under a layer of mulch at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) deep. If a plant isn’t getting enough sun, you’ll notice the leaves turning yellow. Before you try tossing a few into your next meal, keep in mind they can be poisonous if they’re not cooked. Perhaps you like the deep, glossy, purplish-green of the black elephant ear plant, like the Colocasia Black Coral. So many elephant ears, so little time! When the plant begins growing above the ground, water it every day in the morning, and apply slow-release fertilizer once per week. To grow these stunning plants, plant the bulbs in the early spring with the right soil conditions. If you notice dark brown or black spots with a yellowish rim on the leaves, remove the damaged leaves, move the plant away from your other plants, and treat with a fungicide spray. . If you can’t tell which end is the bottom, lay the bulb on its side in the hole. Repeat after me: moisture, moisture, moisture. Mix compost matter or manure into the soil for extra nutrients. When potted, it can go outside in the summer and inside for the winter. Using a raised bed or installing a drainage system in your garden can help avoid overwatering. If you live in USDA hardiness zone 8 or above, you can leave your elephant ears in the ground to regrow the next spring. To grow these stunning plants, plant the bulbs in the early spring with the right soil conditions. This lush plant is a fast grower, delivering you a tropical vibe for summer. This simple but thorough tutorial was very helpful! While the flowering plants in this closely related genus are known as “elephant ear,” you wouldn’t think that their other names include “Angel Wings” and “Heart of Jesus,” unless you usually think of elephants with angel wings sprouting from their backs. The plant is traditionally served at Hawaiian luaus and the corms form the basis for poi, a favorite Hawaiian dish. Giant elephant ear ( Colocasia gigantea) and Taro ( Colocasia esculenta) are plants in the Colocasia family that both get referred to as elephant ears. Ceylon, Tahiti. Test the drainage by digging a hole about 1 foot (0.30 m) deep and filling it with water. The best time to cut the leaves is early to mid fall. The mammoth leaves can be more than 3 feet long on plants that can grow higher than 6 feet tall. Elephant ear bulbs are susceptible to both fungal and bacterial infections while in storage. Elephant ears are tropical foliage plants with large dark green leaves. Elephant ears are fantastic zone 9 plants and above — you usually won’t have to worry about frost in these zones. How long can they live in a pot in the house? are planted to embellish and complement the flower colors of plants in summer annual beds and containers. Share your questions there, too, while you’re at it. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Nope! They are not native to Florida but have become naturalized in some wetland areas in the southern half of the state and are widespread. The second picture in the ad shows a range of typical sizes that we ship. "I got my first bulb this spring. In zones 9-11 they can be grown outdoors year-round. But too much sun is a problem because it dries out the soil, not because it yellows the leaves. Try another answer... Not quite! While a few varieties may put a root or two over the dividing lines, most Colocasia are either clumpers or runners. Cut off any bad spots, then plant it again. In fact, they are considered invasive there. Thrips – Some of their other names are more exciting, like thunderflies and storm bugs. Keep a close eye on your outdoor temperatures, as damage can occur below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Araceae (arum) Also known as. Try again! Thanks. Look for a fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen. Visit Kmart today to find a great selection of artificial plants. This article received 30 testimonials and 93% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. WHEN TO PLANT: Elephant ears are planted in spring after any danger of frost has passed. You haven’t seen elephant ears, and they’re hotter than ever in interiors right now. What does it mean if the leaves of your elephant ear are turning yellow? There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Support wikiHow by Your site helped me identify it and how to properly take care of it. Plants in the aroid family with large shield-like leaves are often dubbed "elephant ears." unlocking this staff-researched answer. The care and effort it takes to overwinter elephant ears (Colocasia spp. To grow elephant ear plants, plant the bulbs in the spring, during April or May, in an area that receives indirect sunlight and has moist soil with good drainage. Alocasia Elephant Ears (aka Alocasia Microrrhiza) has very large pure green leaves with distinctive veining, and strong stems. When a plant has been in cultivation for more than 28,000 years like the Colocasia, it can be harder to pin down where it started. Prevent Elephant Ears from Taking Over Your Garden. Black stems, leaves shaped like small cups. If they get less than that, the leaves will start to turn yellow as the chloroplasts die off. ", "Very well-written. To keep herbivores from filling their mouths with it, these plants have raphides, or microscopic calcium oxalate needles, which help facilitate the transfer of an irritant that causes severe discomfort. All colocasia and alocasio bulbs are on sale now at savings of up to 77% off. We also have clay soil, "I picked up an elephant ear plant at local supermarket. ZONE: Elephant ears are tropical plants. Growing them is simple — they like filtered sun or shade and rich, moist soil. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Hiding under plant leaves, these little bugs even spin webs to protect themselves. If you find the temperature dropping below 50 degrees, that might be a good time to move them indoors or into a greenhouse. Alocasia Elephant Ears. Wrap the bulbs in leaves from the plant, sphagnum peat moss, or garden vermiculite to protect them further. These are plants that need a lot of water! Elephant ear plant, tarul, dasheen, chembu, champadhumpa, Colocasia / Xanthosoma / Caladium / Alocasia. Great info. ", "This contained everything I needed to know about elephant ears. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. $ 69.00. Did not know you can grow indoors, thank, "Gave me a good basic understanding of how to grow elephant ears. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,341,224 times. [citation needed] It is the most widely cultivated species of several plants in the family Araceae that are used as vegetables for their corms, leaves, and petioles. Why should you let your elephant ear bulbs dry out before storing them? This should get you started down the path to the right one for you. If you’re looking for cool plants to grow, this is a one of a kind houseplant or outdoor ornamental. When your area has seen the last of the frost and cold temperatures, you should be safe for planting outdoors. Skip to main content. While you're here, why not follow us on Facebook and YouTube? Nitrogen helps the plant produce chlorophyll, which gives the leaves that gorgeous green color. If you were to Google the words “elephant ear,” you would find a range of images, from the delicious, doughy staple of fried fair fare to those enormous pachyderms in all their gray, wrinkly glory. After that, look at pictures of the different ones and see which ones are most pleasing to you. I read everything you had about them. Elephant ear plants are a popular landscaping plant with broad, flat, green leaves. It is also a common food staple and an ornamental, though the leaves are different from the Colocasia in that they aren’t peltate. Spider mites – Even the name gives me the creeps. Glossy scarlet or orange berries. ​Planting elephant ears in pots is nice when you need to overwinter them, because you can just drag them indoors or pull them into your greenhouse for the cold season. The roots will be able to grow down and the greens will grow up naturally. Yup! All my questions were, "I wanted to grow elephant ear plants, but had no idea how. Its best sun conditions are full sun, or partial shade in very warm climates. ", "Easily understood, but also packed with useful info! Some of them are small, and some grow to be gigantic elephant ear plants if they’re given optimal growing conditions. Drooping leaves signal that the plant needs more water. Recreate tropical conditions in your garden by keeping the soil moist and not letting it dry out. Don't oversaturate your soil when you water your elephant ears. ", hot (Kansas). Q: There are so many different kinds of elephant ears! 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