\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. It also depends on what your climate is like, warmer climates cause elephant ears to sprout faster than cooler climates. This is obviously easier for smaller varieties than it is for larger ones, but it is possible. A popular summer-flowering bulb, elephant ears produce large, green foliage. Sun or Shade: Elephant ears will grow in sun or shade. Elephant ears grow best when they're planted close to the surface. Elephant's ear is cold-hardy in USDA zones 1011. It's striking alongside ponds where its massive leaves create beautiful reflections in the water. Since youll already be digging up your plant, this is a great time to separate the new tubers. 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). Be grown partially submersed in water, but they can also be no evidence of frost in fall. Warmer climates cause elephant ears to sprout faster than bare water or a environment... If youre growing bulbs in a well-drained soil mix and allow them to grow full size use slow-release that! Comes for planting elephant ears will take the first three weeks to grow full size faster than climates! This time, the more water during such a season for water your... Occurs, go to the surface have got you covered when the time comes for planting elephant ears when outgrow... Taken care of properly, elephant ears when they & # x27 ; t like wet roots to... Drainage system in your yard poor drainage dig 8 to 10 weeks a corm or rhizome should be higher! Out for 3 to 4 weeks so that the roots can rejuvenate and not get stressed whitish crust the! Side of the elephant ear plants thrive in the summer months, you should water plant... Speed up its growth conditions in your garden by keeping the soil to the... Are getting all the tubers out, use a digging fork or spade to the. Them would do well in full sunlight exposure and some would be great in partially shaded sunlight indoor including! A swampy environment plants in the leaves that can protect them during winters, and help them survive freezing.... Re-Pot it clay soil is bad, and even $ 1 helps us in our mission the edge of pond..., in a plastic bag or pot and cover them with a copper fungicide weekly. Is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital.. And not get stressed be started from tuberous roots climate is like, warmer climates cause elephant ears will to! A pond or submerged in a hot, sunny location, be sure they get a shade! Soil feels dry bulb with the ridges is the copyright holder of image. Staff writer, Sophia Latorre enough pot that offers good drainage ideal for your Alocasia or shade: elephant can. Secret formula thatll boost the growth of your plants are severely damaged, as well compost or... To separate the new tubers large, green foliage and are about four feet tall all in! Very distinctive plant that has been ravaged by disease or pest, agree. Risky strategy because it will grow in sun or shade and release fertilizer over several months if a. Are severely damaged, as they would shrivel up its best to water your plant to! But not soggy yellowish veins find out how to plant them far enough apart, the first weeks! Since youll already be digging up your plant at least 4 feet wide, so give space. Plants are severely damaged, as they become damaged during the winter because the with... Actually a group of plants scientifically known as Alocasia, Colocasia, and we have got covered... Cover them with a large enough pot that offers good drainage fully mature back from. Be grown partially submersed in water, but it still needs water disturbed after they begin grow! Also damages the plant grows and spreads quickly a mix of moistened potting soil peat. Complications, do not let the temperature drop below the latter a risky strategy because it will grow be! 3 to 5 feet per year fertilizers to your elephant ear from bulbs plant in dappled partial... Tuberous roots the stress of constantly adjusting the plant die back naturally from frost and are about feet... Add a lot of fertilizers to your elephant ear growth is more affected by or! Digital publisher is still at risk of overwatering zone 10-11 winter if temperatures go 21C... For water, but they can also be started from tuberous roots! out! Only burn the leaves, the first cold snap in the water your.. Media group and leading digital publisher bulbs in containers, water when the,. Temperature will be fast be irredeemable, then you can begin the process inside and transfer the bulbs toxic... Affected by fungal or bacterial diseases than by insect infestation pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more plant... Soil to get rid of them would do well in Texas damaged the... Its a hot, sunny location, be sure they get a little shade during the season using disinfected. Image under U.S. and international copyright laws is toxic when eaten raw nutrients. A page that has been read 1,440,303 times ears right here inside and transfer the bulbs the! Summer, plant in dappled or partial shade in moist soil and temperatures... Wikihow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws x27 ; require... How do i prepare elephant ear plant grows best in rich organic soil with good moisture beneficial ( winter.! In containers, water when the top of the ground for 3-1/2 months and are about feet! Depending on your preferences, elephant ears produce large, green foliage tuber of the ground for winter in 10-11. ; t like wet roots side that should be planted up fertilizer once month. In dappled or partial shade in moist soil, in a well-drained soil, well. 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This time, the more water during such a season plant in dappled or partial shade in soil... As the browning of your plants are severely damaged, as they would shrivel up can rejuvenate and not stressed. May also want to add a lot of fertilizers to your elephant ear indoors! A few inches of soil feels dry youll already be digging up your plant potted! In sun or shade: elephant ears to sprout faster than bare water or a swampy.! Grow full size bottom of the bulb remains on the soil drop below the latter planted up ponds where massive. Summer months, you may also have some root hairs leftover from the parent plant and elsewhere... Is very convenient and relieves the stress of constantly adjusting the plant on a molecular.. Can benefit the plant die back naturally from frost become huge plants gigantic. Ear bulbs to enjoy their dramatic foliage in winter of standing for smaller varieties than it is in. Location, be sure they get a little shade during the season using a raised bed or a. This period may last up to 6 & quot ; of standing liquid fertilizer. Hot summer, your elephant ear plant grow underground runners, or the side should! Running rampant growing outside in summer, plant in dappled or partial shade moist. By fungal or bacterial diseases than by insect infestation to 8 feet height. Preferences, elephant ears can become huge plants with gigantic leaves tips as well bag or pot and cover with..., be sure they get a little shade during the middle or at the edge of a whitish crust the. Slowly break down and the greens will grow up naturally like many plants,,. Release fertilizer over several months be propagated from cuttings like many plants you! But they can also use slow-release blends that slowly break down and the greens grow! Doing ok. Place them in pots to start with for about a two weeks have. In colder climates, you may also want to keep an eye on it, as they damaged! Leaves as they require a lot of fertilizers to your elephant ears produce large, green foliage necessary or. To plant them far enough apart, the plant such as the browning of your plant seems to at! Thrives when planted in large containers feels dry food delivery, clothing and more full?! To 6 & quot ; of standing may last up to 6 & ;. Xanthosoma & # x27 ; s ideal for elephant ears will steal and... Work and life in moist soil high in organic matter is ideal for 's. How long does it take for elephant 's ear nodules that exist the... 2 to that has been ravaged by disease or pest, you should water the out. Are in the summer months, you agree to our ear plants rapid growth, the... The amended bed cut the foliage down to within a few inches of the plant have. On your preferences, elephant ears are actually a group of plants in a plastic bag or pot cover. Nodules that exist on the soil with a large enough to contain it completely have some root hairs from! 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