\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You can grow the smaller varieties in large containers. ", southern-facing beds this spring. Then, bury some elephant ear bulbs 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) below the soil with the flat ends facing down, leaving about 3 feet (1 m) between each bulb. The plants multiply from underground stems. If you swap the treatment, both types of elephant ear plants would underperform and most likely take time to fully mature. Wait until the stems of the plant die back naturally from frost. Do not allow the plant to become too hot or too cold, as this can cause the roots to rot. The plant will not respond effectively to its favorable conditions. The leaves will begin to curl and droop due to the insect infestation. Read about our, The 11 Best Fertilizers for Indoor Plants of 2023 to Help Your Greenery Thrive. A lack of water can cause yellowing leaves, and leaf drop. Skip to content The leaves contain oxalic acid which is toxic when eaten raw. For tips on maintaining you elephant ear plants by trimming the leaves and transplanting them, read on! This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. While they were in the pots each one of them sprouted a pup. This is obviously easier for smaller varieties than it is for larger ones, but it is possible. You may also want to keep an eye on it, as they require a lot of water. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. After the threat of frost has passed in the spring, plant the tuber so it sits 1 to 2 inches below the soil. But it needs the right conditions for rapid growth. Spring is the best time to transplant your elephant ear plant. I struggled with it at first too! I water it twice daily, giving about a gallon each time. Once the temperature drops to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, you may want to bring your plant indoors. 'Diamond Head' performs best along the edge of a pond or submerged in a water feature. 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. The Colocasia can be grown partially submersed in water, but they can also rot that way. Note: After your elephant ear plant has recovered, switch to a milder fertilizer to avoid overfeeding it again. Slow growing and 10 to 12 inches tall. This clumping plant grows to 8 feet tall. Watering twice a week is also appropriate for a plant that requires a lot of nutrients, such as the elephant ear. Zones 7-10. Divide the plant by using a sharp shovel to cut the pup from the parent plant, making sure it has roots attached. Some people grow them in water, but not all varieties do well that way. It should be planted with the pointy side up. Their are certain compounds in the leaves that can irritate your hands. 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. Whether you live in an area where you can leave them in the ground or lift them and overwinter them in a sheltered place, expect healthy plants to live for about eight years. If growing outside in summer, plant in dappled or partial shade in moist soil, in a sheltered spot. Test the soil pH tooelephant ear plants do best in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7. How to grow alpine strawberries expert tips for healthy plants and tasty harvests, How to remove wallpaper from drywall 3 master methods for a smooth surface, Everything you need to turn your dream home into a reality, Subscribe for just 1 per issue with our Spring Savings, Full of inspiring real homes, expert project advice and on-trend shopping, Issues delivered direct to your door or device. Too much light can singe the leaf tips as well. A proportionate amount of water is required to maintain the elephant ear plants large leaves. The Alocasias don't like wet roots. Then dig a hole about a foot wide. The size and shape of this plant's leaves are the reason for its name. [1] The ideal daytime temperature will be around 70 F (21 C). [17] Expert Q&A 3 LIVE Kalo Eddo Colocasia Esculenta Gabi Elephant Ear Taro Bulbs READY to GROW. Better Homes & Gardens - 100 years of powering your passions at home, Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sourcesincluding peer-reviewed studiesto support the facts in our articles. Add aged manure or compost to the soil before planting. Seedlings can appear as soon as three weeks or as late as eight weeks. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. To avoid complications, do not let the temperature drop below the latter. Tip: If you want to speed up the process, plant your bulbs in a pot inside a few weeks before early spring. If foliage shows yellowing, it's probably a micronutrient deficiency. Sun or Shade: Elephant ears will grow in sun or shade. These babies can be separated from the parent plant and installed elsewhere. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Megan Hughes has a passion for plants that drives her to stay on top of the latest garden advancements and time-tested ways of growing great plants. The bulbs will push upwards as they grow so it's important to leave enough space that they won't break through the soil. Alocasia amazonica is a tropical plant featuring large, leathery arrowhead leaves in olive green, bronze, or maroon. Symptoms such as the browning of your leaves or the presence of a whitish crust on the soil will be addressed. If it takes longer than 4 hours to empty, you have poor drainage. The elephant ear bulb needs a slightly acidic pH of 6.5. For instance, the Alocasia requires indirect sunlight to thrive, just as the colocasia would require full direct sunlight to thrive. Elephant ear plants are less likely to come back a 100% from a fungal attack. Some elephant ear plants spread along the ground . This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Given the elephant ear plants rapid growth, the container may not be large enough to contain it completely. % of people told us that this article helped them. Scindapsus vs Pothos (Whats the Difference? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Elephant's ear grows best in part shade or filtered sun. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Place a humidifier in the room where you grow your houseplants. % of people told us that this article helped them. Choose a location that is sheltered from the wind, if possible. If the pot is outside, water the plant every one to two days until it is established. . Cut off any bad spots, then plant it again. Prolonged direct sunlight can scorch its leaves, marring them for the duration of the season. The result is edema, and overwatering can lead to root rot. Its looks is likewise unique as its large leaves Alocasia Portora (Upright Elephant Ear) Growing & Caring Guide Read More Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Just before the first frost, cut all the foliage to about 6 inches above the ground and carefully dig up the tubers. Both soil and water are excellent environments for elephant ear development, but the soil is far superior. Also, dig out wider than the elephant ears were in the landscape to get any rhizomes trying to head off on their own. Zones - growing elephant ears are full hardy in zones 8 to 11. The secret to planting elephant ear bulbs is to plant them outdoors in the spring. Elephant's ear grows wherever there's moist soil and warm temperatures. The elephant ear plant (colocasia or Alocasia) is an immense tropical beauty with large attractive leaves bound to make any space feel tropical or more like a rainforest. 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