Rich, organic soil will help your elephant ears grow. Propagating Alocasia | Offset division. It can be a house plant in the winter and summer with some time spent outside in warm weather, helping to prolong its life. The stem of an elephant ear plant is smooth, not thorny, so it won't stab you. large) and store the bulbs in the basement area. When it gets cold outside, dig up the bulbs to store them and plant them again next spring. that growth. Drooping leaves signal that the plant needs more water. Over-watered elephant ear plants will have stunted growth, but their leaves won't turn yellow. An under-watered elephant ear's leaves will droop and brown, not turn yellow. But too much sun is a problem because it dries out the soil, not because it yellows the leaves. Zone 7 is at the upper extreme of where they will survive outdoors, and that is … Bulbs should be planted in the landscape in the spring after You want to make sure your elephant ears are planted in moist soil with good drainage, because they originate in tropical climates. Find a warm, bright area in your home for these beauties. Place the bulb with the root-part downwards. Using large pots will allow these plants to develop to their greatest potential and it also means you won't need to repot them for several years. 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. What does it mean if the leaves of your elephant ear are turning yellow? keep the roots moist - elephant ears are stressed when they dry out. Especially in winter. Try again... Why should you wear gloves while trimming elephant ear leaves? Read on for another quiz question. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Treat it like any other perennial and bury it under a layer of mulch at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) deep. Our elephant ears will grow very well in the northern tier of states -you want tropical - try elephant ears! And yes, you can grown elephant ear plants as indoor houseplants. "Great, thorough step-by-step instructions. I've been growing these for years and gave a few bulbs to my neighbor. ), commonly called Elephant's ear, are frost-tender perennials with large flat leaves. Use quick draining soil. Try again! The only way to produce new plants is to get bulbs from the soil, or if a bulb starts growing on its own and a new plant pops up from the soil. Alocasia plants are tuberous, which means they sprout from a central rhizome. Then, when it’s warm enough, transfer them to your garden. The Elephant Ear plant, also known as Colocasia or Alocasia, is known for its huge leaves.This plant is great for layered landscape settings due to these heavy, dark, and sometimes patterned leaves. Elephant ears belong to two species of plants: Colocasia and Alocasia. This will help avoid overcrowding. ", depth of planting. Read on for another quiz question. To lower a soil’s pH, add some sulphur, gypsum, or organic compost. If you notice that one is rotting, throw it away so it doesn’t spread to the others. ", "Easily understood, but also packed with useful info! deep. Elephant ears require a lot of water, especially when they’re first planted. Larger bulbs will need slightly deeper holes. You can discard the leaves or keep them to wrap the bulbs in for storage. Toll Free: 888-912-0020    Ph: (863)-453-0014    Fax: (863) 453-0015. Especially comfortable, since I chose a 36", "This article helped me with winter storage and growing in the winter. This article has been viewed 1,340,971 times. Do NOT try to take cuttings from an Alocasia, it will never work. Phonetic Spelling kol-oh-KAY-see-uh es-kew-LEN-tuh This plant has medium severity poison characteristics. When to Plant: If conditions are cool or soil temperature is cold, delay the planting until the soil has warmed to at least 65°F (18°C). % of people told us that this article helped them. The roots will be able to grow down and the greens will grow up naturally. Droopy leaves mean you need to water the plant. Elephant ear bulbs are susceptible to both fungal and bacterial infections while in storage. You might also Elephant ears use a different method to deter animals from eating their leaves. Why should you let your elephant ear bulbs dry out before storing them? Why do you recommend digging them up over the winter?           Not everybody does it exactly the same... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A9xhsskD8g, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8rpNf4zSbY&t=20s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yosy5Bx1PI8. Thank you very much! The tubers can be placed directly outdoors once the threat of frost or freezing temperatures have ceased in your area. Most elephant ears will grow to be at least 4 feet wide, so give them space! Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,340,971 times. Alocasia, known colloquially as elephant’s ear, is grown as a houseplant in many parts of the United States. Alocasia x Amazonica, also known as Alocasia ‘Polly,’ features shiny, deep green leaves with angular edges and contrasting white veining. ", while to see a shoot appear. Try another answer... Support wikiHow by I’ve linked to all of them above in case you’re interested in any of these beauties. Elephant ears are a tropical plant, so they need warm weather to sprout. In cooler ... 2. Elephant ear leaves aren't sharp-edged. The tip on watering is to It is so interesting to know this Alocasia Odora, a plant that can grow so big because some plants have a similar shape to it. Plant bulbs in individual holes or dig a trench if all your bulbs can be planted at the same depth. Never let the plant dry out between watering. Never let it dry out 100%. For pots, 3 gal or more is best. If your bulb is an inch (2.5 cm) long, you will plant it about 3 inches (7.6 cm.) A larger plant will cover a smaller one, for example, so the leaves of the smaller plant can't get enough light. Be careful not to cut into or damage the bulb itself. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If you are planting in northern climes, you can start the bulbs earlier in a warm, moist (not soggy) place inside and give them a head start. Not quite! Do not make the mistake of planting too deep or you are unlikely to see flowers. Using a raised bed or installing a drainage system in your garden can help avoid overwatering. Generally, space Great Caladiums There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. One reader kept this plant in a 5 gallon container for close to 20 years. ", "Gave me info that made me more confident in growing elephant ear plants. But those infections need moisture, so drying out your bulbs (and storing them in a well-ventilated paper bag) will keep them safe. Even though elephant ears are tropical plants, it is possible to over-water them. In good soil, the leaves can reach 4 or even 5 feet across. Elephant ear plants are named after their super-sized heart-shaped (or elephant ear-shaped) leaves. Not exactly! ", "Very well-written. Dig up and replant some of your elephant ear plants to spread them out. ", was or how to take care of it. If it takes longer than 4 hours to empty, you have poor drainage. CONTACT US     Elephant ear plants come in various colors, which range from green to black and purple. Elephant ears are a partial sun plant. By using our site, you agree to our. 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. 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. Alocasia are stunning tropicals plants with arrowhead-shaped leaves. It was on sale, but I wasn't sure what type of plant it, "The spacing needed, the toxicity of the plant (we have two dogs and three cats, one that chews on anything), that, "Loved the article about Elephant Ear plants. In the I will probably have to change locations when it gets brutally, "This is a clear, easy-to-follow article packed with information. We also have clay soil, "I picked up an elephant ear plant at local supermarket. Dig a hole for each Colocasia bulb, using a shovel or trowel. Last Updated: March 22, 2020 Your site helped me identify it and how to properly take care of it. ", clay soil is bad, and that shade can benefit the plant. Nitrogen helps the plant produce chlorophyll, which gives the leaves that gorgeous green color. If you’re after a good indoors house plant, check out the Alocasia species. Potting elephant ears in assorted containers works very well -inside If you don't have a paper bag, a mesh bag will work. To grow these stunning plants, plant the bulbs in the early spring with the right soil conditions. zone chart provides guidelines for your zone, however

This will be the biggest thing in your garden – Maybe even the biggest in the neighborhood! Test the drainage by digging a hole about 1 foot (0.30 m) deep and filling it with water. The bottom ball (darker area) is the old corm, and the top one grew last year. "It's good to know the right temperatures to plant elephant ears. This article has been viewed 1,340,971 times. Did you know you can read premium answers for this article? How long can they live in a pot in the house? Pick the Colocasia variety. References Water the bulb thoroughly when you plant it, and wait 1-3 weeks for the plant to sprout. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. How to Plant Elephant Ear Bulbs and Seeds. When potted, it can go outside in the summer and inside for the winter. Contain the runners by creating a deep edge between the elephant ears and other plants ins your garden. 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. Elephant ears do go dormant. This article received 30 testimonials and 93% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Elephant ear plants aren't super-dangerous, but the liquid in their leaves is a skin irritant that can give you a rash.     Most elephant ears are fast growers and can be 6' tall or more - which simply means they get thirsty to sustain For tips on maintaining you elephant ear plants by trimming the leaves and transplanting them, read on! Yes! Not quite! If poisoning occurs, go to the hospital immediately. Did not know you can grow indoors, thank, "Gave me a good basic understanding of how to grow elephant ears. The genus is most likely Alocasia x amazonica but the cultivar could be “Polly”. It has possibility that they can grow as well in the areas other than Asia … unlocking this expert answer. Sit them outside or bring them indoors. Because of this, unlike many other houseplant species such as Monstera, it’s not really suitable for propagation by means of taking cuttings.Luckily that doesn’t mean propagating your Alocasia will be a challenge. Most of these plants prefer rich, moist soil and can be grown in full sun, but they generally prefer partial shade. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The Upright Elephant Ear quickly shoots up big, green spears that unfurl into some of the largest leaves in the plant kingdom. Elephant Ears Feed Me! Divide the elephant ears when they outgrow the plot. Wear gloves when you’re trimming the leaves if you have sensitive skin. 64 West ~ Avon Park, FL ~ 33825 What can cause the elephant ear plant to droop or lay down? This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Alocasia Winter Care. “Elephant ears” is the common name for a group of tropical perennial plants grown for their large, heart-shaped leaves.