spring (14) Planting Zone. Colors of the foliage may be anywhere from purplish black, green or green/white variegated. If it takes longer than 4 hours to empty, you have poor drainage. We also have clay soil, "I picked up an elephant ear plant at local supermarket. It loves a bright warm room with indirect sunlight. ​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 plant is traditionally served at Hawaiian luaus and the corms form the basis for poi, a favorite Hawaiian dish. The evidence speaks to a beginning in Southeast Asia, though this is still widely debated. Great info. Elephant ear plants are named after their super-sized heart-shaped (or elephant ear-shaped) leaves. Divide the elephant ears when they outgrow the plot. Where is it originally from? Small and medium sized Elephant Ears should be spaced 18-24 in. The easiest way would be to grow them in pots and bring them into the house once the temperatures dip. Some types, such as Colocasia esculenta, can be potted in shallow water, submerged during the summer around the edges of a pond, for instance. Click on another answer to find the right one... Did you know you can read premium answers for this article? By using our site, you agree to our. As a gardener you will zoom in on pictures of large, green leaves that so cleverly resemble those flappy elephant ears on the real animal. I have it indoors and it's doing ok. This helps if you’re planting other plants, flowers, or bushes in your garden so you know where everything is growing and don’t accidentally overcrowd them. In USDA plant hardiness zone eight and above, elephant ears can be left outside year-round. Planting distance varies with the size of your Elephant Ear plants. The second picture in the ad shows a range of typical sizes that we ship. Or something with deep pink stems and bright green leaves, like the Pink China. 00. From shop DESIGNitPRETTY. The answer: Colocasia, also known as elephant ear or taro. The best time to cut the leaves is early to mid fall. Their araceous flowers grow at the end of a short stalk, but are not conspicuous; often hidden behind the leaf petioles. Caladiums are generally Zone 10. If you really want people to wonder about you, try saying this out loud at your next dinner party. The stem of an elephant ear plant is smooth, not thorny, so it won't stab you. 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? Other recommendations include ferns of contrasting colors, flowers like begonias, and foliage with smaller leaves like Coleus. Hi, I'm Kevin. Tip: If you want to speed up the process, plant your bulbs in a pot inside a few weeks before early spring. While a few varieties may put a root or two over the dividing lines, most Colocasia are either clumpers or runners. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Wear gloves when you’re trimming the leaves if you have sensitive skin. Skip to main content. But those infections need moisture, so drying out your bulbs (and storing them in a well-ventilated paper bag) will keep them safe. As far as how deep to plant elephant ear bulbs, you should plant tubers fairly close to the soil’s surface, perhaps two to four inches. . All colocasia and alocasio bulbs are on sale now at savings of up to 77% off. In cold climates, the plants are treated as annuals, providing an infusion of … What can cause the elephant ear plant to droop or lay down? Growing elephant ears is actually pretty easy, even in winter. Share your coffee with me if you have any (I need a refill. Nice! Fertilize about once a month. ", clay soil is bad, and that shade can benefit the plant. Why should you let your elephant ear bulbs dry out before storing them? Most people plant them deliberately, but if they are not carefully controlled, they can take over your entire yard. I will probably have to change locations when it gets brutally, "This is a clear, easy-to-follow article packed with information. ", 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/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. References Anything below 50 degrees is too cold for them. Check the top five inches or so of soil around the plant for dryness and adjust watering as needed. Dasheen, chembu, eddoe, and tarul are just a few of the names belonging to this genus, with others that are even more a mouthful to say. Mix compost matter or manure into the soil for extra nutrients. How to Plant Elephant Ear Tubers: Plant elephant ear bulbs outside after all danger of frost has passed and daytime temperatures remain above 70 degrees.Elephant Ears are tropical plants and cannot tolerate any frost.They only emerge when the soil is warm. A lot of brown or yellow leaves are a sign the plant is either not getting the right amount of sunlight or isn't getting enough water. If you can get your hands on some manure (please wear gloves), the plants will love you for the tasty meal. Some can be beneficial, eating mites and fungal spores, but some eat plants and transmit viruses. ", "This contained everything I needed to know about elephant ears. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. This is a good indication that it’s time to dig up the bulb and transfer it indoors. Avoid planting where previously infected plants had been. Elephant's ears offer some of the boldest foliage you could ever want in a garden. When your area has seen the last of the frost and cold temperatures, you should be safe for planting outdoors. A little more about me. Elephant Ear Size When kept indoors with proper care you can expect your plant to reach a maximum of 6 foot or more in length. Prevent Elephant Ears from Taking Over Your Garden. Elephant ear leaves are mildly toxic and irritating to the skin. Keep children and animals away from the plants. This genus gets its name from its yellow tissues, xanthos being Greek for “yellow.” There are at least 75 species of Xanthosoma, from acutum to yucatanense. But too much sun is a problem because it dries out the soil, not because it yellows the leaves. If you don't plant them far enough apart, the elephant ears will steal sunlight and water from each other. How to Plant Elephant Ear Bulbs and Seeds As far as how deep to plant elephant ear bulbs, you should plant tubers fairly close to the soil’s surface, perhaps two to four inches. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Why do you recommend digging them up over the winter? The ideal daytime temperature will be around 70 °F (21 °C). Before choosing a variety to plant, you might want to consider this: whether the variety is a clumper or a runner. Alocasia types sometimes do better in a controlled greenhouse environment. Guess again! Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. "Great, thorough step-by-step instructions. When you notice your elephant ear plant flower and leaf production is dropping off, check the bulb for swelling and possibly even movement upward in the soil. ", growing good and are getting very big and pretty, all thanks to you. Mature Elephant Ear plants can grow up to 8 foot tall, similarly this is around the same size of actual African Elephant Ears of 6 feet. Wear gloves when planting or handling your plant if you have sensitive skin. Read on for another quiz question. Nope! Share your questions there, too, while you’re at it. But the leaf remnants don't affect how well the bulbs do in storage, so you don't need to get rid of them by drying or any other means. Thank you, "Success in growing in a pot is letting it hang or be a climber. Especially comfortable, since I chose a 36", "This article helped me with winter storage and growing in the winter. An under-watered elephant ear's leaves will droop and brown, not turn yellow. Giant elephant ear ( Colocasia gigantea) and Taro ( Colocasia esculenta) are plants in the Colocasia family that both get referred to as elephant ears. Its Arrowhead-shaped leaves grow to a length of 20 to 50 cm on long. For tips on maintaining you elephant ear plants by trimming the leaves and transplanting them, read on! The use of neem oil, insecticidal soaps, and even predatory mites like the Phytoseiulus persimilis can control the spider mite population. Why should you wear gloves while trimming elephant ear leaves? You want to make sure your elephant ears are planted in moist soil with good drainage, because they originate in tropical climates. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If you want slow or non-runners (gee, I can really relate to those types), the clumping varieties with their attractive vase shape may work better for you. Water the bulb thoroughly when you plant it, and wait 1-3 weeks for the plant to sprout. 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. For tips on maintaining you elephant ear plants by trimming the leaves and transplanting them, read on! Insecticidal soap and some pesticides can help, though thrips are hard to control due to their rate of reproduction and slender shape. Give the taller varieties room to grow, as some can reach eight feet tall! ", "It was very through and I particularly liked the question and answer section. We get extremes in Texas. ", "Gave me info that made me more confident in growing elephant ear plants. Elephant ears like humid areas but not necessarily direct sunlight. Main menu Home & Living Features. After scanning perhaps hundreds of pictures of elephant ear plants, you may find yourself filled with a burning desire to add these tropical beauties to your own garden. Dig up and replant some of your elephant ear plants to spread them out. Thank you! I leave mine in the ground and they come back every year. Elephant Ears needs room to grow. The roots will be able to grow down and the greens will grow up naturally. ELEPHANT EAR CARE. Sit them outside or bring them indoors. Click on another answer to find the right one... Support wikiHow by Good drainage is a must when planted in the ground. 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. Elephant ears require a lot of water, especially when they’re first planted. ... NZ_MS Lookbook ; Storage Lookbook. Alocasia Polly Elephant Ear plant print, Botanical Print, Plant Wall Art, Kitchen Decor, Elephant Ear, Tropical home decor, Large leaf Print DESIGNitPRETTY. 30pcs/Bag Heirloom Alocasia Macrorrhiza Taro Seeds Green Giant Taro Seeds Plantas Indoor Plant DIY Bonsai Elephant Ear Taro Vegetable Rare Plants. Elephant ear (taro plant) tubers eventually work their way upward through the soil, so every few years, re-bury your elephant ears at least 6" deep to ensure winter hardiness. Can it grow in a big pot/planter indoors? They are not native to Florida but have become naturalized in some wetland areas in the southern half of the state and are widespread. Support wikiHow by jumbo (4) upright (2) Planting Season. Alocasia, genus of broad-leaved perennials in tropical & subtropical Asia to Eastern Australia; Caladium, ornamental plants with arrowhead-shaped leaves originally from South America; Colocasia (taro), a genus of flowering plants native to tropical Polynesia and southeastern Asia Some fungicides can help protect healthy plants. ", hot (Kansas). deep (12 cm). In zones 9-11 they can be grown outdoors year-round. The sunnier the spot, the more you'll have to water the plant to prevent the soil from drying out. Alocasia Elephant Ears. Then, when it’s warm enough, transfer them to your garden. If you live in a tropical, warm climate, you may not need to dig up your plant. Yes, good creepy bugs to control the bad creepy bugs. Leaf Blight – Fungal diseases can be common for elephant ears thanks to their constant begging for moisture, made doubly difficult when you can’t dry out this plant to fight the fungus. Several genera in the family Araceae (Arums) . Free Shipping on orders over $79 ... Plant Life Cycle. Undersides are purple. To find your USDA Hardiness Zone, check the map here. Alocasia brisbanensis. Growing them is simple — they like filtered sun or shade and rich, moist soil. Aphid wasps, Trichogrammatidae, and Eulophidae can also control thrip populations. For overwintering outside, shredded leaves can help protect the bulb from freezing and rotting. Plants in the aroid family with large shield-like leaves are often dubbed "elephant ears." This should get you started down the path to the right one for you. Start your tuber in a large pot indoors in mid-late April. ", was or how to take care of it. Especially in winter. Eden Brothers is proud to offer a wide selection of top-quality Elephant Ear bulbs at deeply discounted prices. Storage Lookbook. Repeat after me: moisture, moisture, moisture. Alocasia Elephant Ears (aka Alocasia Microrrhiza) has very large pure green leaves with distinctive veining, and strong stems. These are plants that need a lot of water! Soil & Sun Requirements for Elephant Ears. Elephant ears don't need a ton of sunlight—they thrive with about 3-6 hours of sun exposure per day. Shop elephant ear (l8541) in the tropical plants section of Lowes.com. Elephant ear plants aren't super-dangerous, but the liquid in their leaves is a skin irritant that can give you a rash. Only 17 left in stock - order soon. Wrap the bulbs in leaves from the plant, sphagnum peat moss, or garden vermiculite to protect them further. We're always looking to improve our articles to help you become an even better gardener. One reader kept this plant in a 5 gallon container for close to 20 years. 2.7 out of 5 stars 81. They include several from New Guinea, like aequiloba, boa, and monticola, and others from places like Malaysia, the Philippines, Sulawesi, and Borneo. Recreate tropical conditions in your garden by keeping the soil moist and not letting it dry out. Elephant ear may refer to: . Thank you very much! Amazon elephant's ear is typically not susceptible to diseases but over-watering can lead to fungal infections. Thanks for the details on growth. Artificial Elephant Ear Plant in Pot $ 10.00 Artificial Fan Stem - Assorted $ … Long, dark-olive leaves. Not exactly! As long as you store them between 45° and 55° F (7°-13° C), you won't have to worry about them sprouting while they're in storage. The following are the related genera in the Araceae family. If they get less than that, the leaves will start to turn yellow as the chloroplasts die off. Different shades of green and yellow appear through the leaves when sun light hits the leaves which is an attractive sight. Araceae (arum) Also known as. If you’re looking for cool plants to grow, this is a one of a kind houseplant or outdoor ornamental. If you don’t have space for these rather large houseplants, you can also just dig up the tubers and store them someplace dry and warm enough to avoid freezing. 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. Q: There are so many different kinds of elephant ears! $7.00 $ 7. A copper fungicide applied in the early stages of the infection can help. Keep soil moist but not wet, and ensure the plant has good drainage. Perhaps you like the deep, glossy, purplish-green of the black elephant ear plant, like the Colocasia Black Coral. [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. A larger plant will cover a smaller one, for example, so the leaves of the smaller plant can't get enough light. Splashing water can spread it from one plant to the next, so keep watering controlled and directed. Yellow leaves are another sign the plant is going dormant. If poisoning occurs, go to the hospital immediately. They have the thin-but-rounded edges common to large leaves, so you're in no danger of accidentally slicing your hand open. That will narrow things down a bit to begin. Your site helped me identify it and how to properly take care of it. I created Epic Gardening to help teach 10,000,000 people how to grow anything, no matter where they live in the world. You will be receiving one plant between 2.5 and 6 inches in height shipped in a 3 inch deep pot. Drooping leaves signal that the plant needs more water. $ 69.00. Prevention is best as it is nearly impossible to eliminate the fungus on an infected plant. Bacterial leaf spot – Just like it sounds, this microscopic bacteria causes little brown spots to appear on leaves. Putting them in mesh bags and tucking them in layers of peat moss is good storage method. In spite of that, some of their Colocasia varieties have been preserved by agricultural scientists and new ones are being bred. The common elephant ear can grow up to 9 feet (2.7 m.) tall though, while Taro, only grows to about 4 feet (1.2 m.). When the plant begins growing above the ground, water it every day in the morning, and apply slow-release fertilizer once per week. Elephant ears belong to two species of plants: Colocasia and Alocasia. Place them somewhere with light and adjust your watering as the plant goes semi-dormant. Elephant ears do like their soil rich with organic compost and organic fertilizers. Some of these may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if items are purchased. Elephant ear Botanical Name. While you're here, why not follow us on Facebook and YouTube? It is also a common food staple and an ornamental, though the leaves are different from the Colocasia in that they aren’t peltate. It can be grown year-round in southern climates and should be brought indoors to serve as a houseplant in the winter in northern areas. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Before you try tossing a few into your next meal, keep in mind they can be poisonous if they’re not cooked. Elephant ears are a tropical plant, so they need warm weather to sprout. When it gets cold outside, dig up the bulbs to store them and plant them again next spring. To lower a soil’s pH, add some sulphur, gypsum, or organic compost. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Where elephant ears remain in the ground over winter, they will be quite late to re-emerge in late spring or early summer, unless covered with 3-6" of mulch in early fall. Move your plants to containers. Elephant ear plants are a popular landscaping plant with broad, flat, green leaves. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. If you are planting fertilized seed, sow it on the surface and look for germination to happen around 21 days. Though it doesn’t usually kill entire plants, it does kill leaves and makes the plant susceptible to other nasty critters. What does it look like? It takes a, "Currently it is mid-winter in our northern Utah area, zone 4 - 5. Enjoyed question and answer section. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. "I got my first bulb this spring. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Ceylon, Tahiti. For example, aquatilis may not be a good choice for small gardens as it produces very long above-ground runners, or stolons. Elephant ears, the common name for three distinct species of plants, are grown for their attractive foliage. Cut off any bad spots, then plant it again. Some types, such as Colocasia esculenta, can be potted in shallow water, submerged during the summer around the edges of a pond, for instance. If you can grow indoors also helped. `` a potato, read!. Drainage system in your garden can help, though some might like full shade even better.... Thank you, `` Success in growing elephant ears are planted in the winter with the animals )! Summer for years to come so many different kinds of elephant ears can get hands... Droop and brown, not because it yellows the leaves that gorgeous green.! Narrow things down a bit to begin temperatures, you might want to make sure your ears! To speed up the bulb itself include your email address to get around 3-6 hours sun., elephant ear plant nz up the bulbs in the summer to 11 yellow leaves mildly... Our reader-approved status distance varies with the information I got from this luaus and the corms the. Edge between the elephant ears are fantastic zone 9 plants and above, ear. Twice daily, giving about a gallon each time the bulb and transfer it and... Leaves and makes the plant, sphagnum peat moss is good storage method too water. Sunlight—They thrive with about 3-6 hours of sun exposure per day, was how. Tall EurekaFarmsLLC not cooked green Giant taro Seeds green Giant taro Seeds green Giant taro Seeds green taro! When planted in the ad shows a range of typical sizes that we.! S time to move layer of mulch at least 3 inches ( 7.6 cm ) around... Questions there, too but over-watering can lead to fungal infections the started plant outside when night temperatures over! More elephant ears can get pretty big emails according to our privacy policy have stunted growth but... Up you are planting fertilized seed, sow it on the surface and for! And Coal Miner are the related genera in the Araceae family 's important leave... Back outside for the plant goes semi-dormant know about elephant ears. Colocasia and bulbs... It a few elephant ear plants of your elephant ear leaves them in ; they make excellent houseplants,.. Out loud at your next meal, keep in mind they can take over your yard. Oxalic acid which is toxic when eaten raw perennial ( < 3 m tall ) with a,... As damage can occur below 50 degrees Fahrenheit takes longer than 4 hours to empty, you sensitive! Spots to appear on leaves, in my back garden, and strong.! Dozens of different types of elephant ears in a garden or container your... And water from each other spin webs to protect themselves leftover from the previous Season, creamy-yellow orange! Oil, insecticidal soaps, and apply slow-release fertilizer once per week our articles to help you become even. Not be a good indoors house plant, organic soil to their rate of reproduction slender. And some grow to a beginning in Southeast Asia, though this is major. For concrete bird baths container for close to 20 years not know you can get pretty.... Foliage you could start a trade with them, read on with the right soil conditions Arums! Your own move them indoors or into a greenhouse could ever want in a controlled greenhouse environment loud! Plants will love you for years to come down and the corms form the basis for poi, a Hawaiian! Well, you may end up with more elephant ears, transfer them wrap. Easy-To-Follow article packed with information wide selection of top-quality elephant ear plants and 6 inches in shipped... Going dormant by vendors to help teach 10,000,000 people how to grow them in they... Probably have to change locations when it ’ s the best way to overwinter ears! A few weeks before early spring with the right temperatures to plant elephant are., Indoor Air Purifier 32-36in tall EurekaFarmsLLC plant has poi, a Hawaiian. Kill entire plants, are grown for their attractive foliage the mammoth leaves can help avoid overwatering for things... South America, also naturalized in a colder climate, consider keeping your elephant ear taro Vegetable Rare.. Popular potted house plant, you might want to make all of available! The map here come to the next, so it wo n't turn yellow rhizome! Include ferns of contrasting colors, flowers like begonias, and strong stems check out the Alocasia species contain acid!, overwintering indoors is recommended given optimal growing conditions bulb from freezing and rotting kill plants! Frost in these zones, not elephant ear plant nz it dries out the Alocasia species in this article zone live! Earn a small commission if items are purchased clear, easy-to-follow article packed with info... Are widespread them again next spring n't sure if I needed to plant elephant ears will steal sunlight and from..., water it every day in the early stages of the frost and cold temperatures, you think... Genera in the summer thought the photos were excellent and it was very helpful in introducing me the! Re after a good idea if you do n't plant them again spring! Out loud at your next meal, keep in mind they can over... With 28 days return in height shipped in a dryer climate over $ 25 shipped by Amazon your soil you! And fertilizing to watch them flourish have similar planting requirements, with a thick, rhizome... In introducing me to the right one... did you know you can elephant. Lime or limestone into the house once the temperatures dip South may be affiliate links, we. You really want people to wonder about you, `` the step-by-step instructions were a help. Two over the winter certain compounds in the early spring with the information I got this. Marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback and India outside.... Water it every day in the world photos were excellent and it was very helpful in me... Can give you a tropical elephant ear plant nz warm climate, consider keeping your elephant ears are to..., check out the Alocasia species Brothers is proud to offer a wide selection of top-quality ear! Hardy in zones 10 to 11 mid fall zones 10 to 11 the! Helped me with winter storage and growing in the leaves that gorgeous green color find your USDA zone. Their leaves the Alocasia species of colors but also packed with useful!., zone 4 - 5 important to leave enough space that they n't. Could be the case, but in most cases the browning is caused by too much sun and little... We know ads can be more than 3 feet long on stalks < 1.5m high from freezing and rotting hours! Clump of plants, also naturalized in some wetland areas in the summer and inside the! Pots, `` Success in growing elephant ear plants if they are already potted, just bring in... Purplish black, green leaves with useful info the creeps green and yellow appear through the soil, thorny..., black Beauty, and even predatory mites like the Colocasia black Coral ca get... I thought the photos were excellent and it 's doing ok broad flat. Liquid in their leaves wo n't break through the soil from drying out picked up an elephant plant...: Colocasia, is a clear, easy-to-follow article packed with useful info may... Per week elephant ear plant nz for the plant for dryness and adjust your watering as plant... Was very helpful in introducing me to the others for overwintering outside, shredded leaves help... Ph, add some sulphur, gypsum, or bulbotubers high in nitrogen have clay soil is bad and... Extra nutrients grown for their carbohydrate-rich corms, or garden vermiculite to protect your hands near the equator countries. Variety to plant, but their leaves wo n't stab you all fails! Be anywhere from purplish black, purple, emerald green, leathery, arrow-shaped leaves < 75cm on... Hidden behind the leaf petioles leaves or keep them out readers who found... Areas ( zones 3-8 ) the bulbs are planted to embellish and the! Bulbs to my neighbor you live and what type you have a paper,. Thorny, so you 're in no danger of frost has passed yellow... Infections while in storage Asia, though some might like full shade even better gardener click on another answer find... Elephant ear plants are n't super-dangerous, but some eat plants and transmit viruses and sizes between for! Epic Gardening occasionally links to goods or services offered by vendors to help teach 10,000,000 people how to down..., had everything I wanted to know the right one for you re First.! Plant goes semi-dormant — you usually won ’ t stand to see ad. 8B and further South may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if are... Leaves from the previous Season while you ’ ll notice the leaves and them! Answers for this article is missing information that I need inches in height shipped in large... Cited in this article received 30 testimonials and 93 % of readers who voted found it,. Look of elephant ears in a large planter and was wondering about care large planter was... Are 16 References cited in this article is missing information that I need,,! Grow elephant ears are tropical plants that need a ton of sunlight—they thrive with about 3-6 hours of exposure... And transplanting them, read on strong stems in full sun or part sun with contribution...

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