\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Elephant ears need high humidity levels for proper growth. The Alocasia Portora is a very distinctive plant that is hard to miss. Garden State Bulb Premium Black Magic Elephant Ear . Elephant ear plants, on the other hand, are primarily propagated in water. Published 15 April 23, Professional decorators have explained how to remove wallpaper from drywall without damage to create the perfect blank space for future home decorating projects, By Chiana Dickson If you grow your elephant ear parent plant outdoors in the ground and the temperature drops below 40F (4C) where you live, dig them up in the fall and store the bulbs indoors during the winter. Pick the Colocasia variety. How to Build an Elevated Deck: Design to Completion, Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/dividing-elephant-ears.htm, https://www.longfield-gardens.com/article/all-about-elephant-ears, https://www.mydomaine.com/alocasia-care-4771420, https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/tools-and-equipment/disinfecting-tools.html, https://blog.leonandgeorge.com/posts/how-to-care-and-grow-elephants-ear, https://plantcaretoday.com/elephant-ears-plant.html, http://www.gardenersnet.com/bulbs/elephantears.htm, http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/12261.shtml, https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/elephant-ear.html. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. 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. Despite its large leaves thirst for water, your elephant ear plant is still at risk of overwatering. If you are impatient, you may want to add a lot of fertilizers to your elephant ear plant to speed up its growth. Planting elephant ear bulbs indoors approximately eight weeks prior to the last frost date is also acceptable. If you live in USDA hardiness zone 8 or above, you can leave your elephant ears in the ground to regrow the next spring. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Do giant elephant ears spread? This plant can reach about 5 or 6 feet (or more) in height, and the wide-spreading stems and new plants will create an overall width of 8 feet or more. It's striking alongside ponds where its massive leaves create beautiful reflections in the water. Depending on your preferences, elephant ears can be planted in the middle or at the edge of the pond. Reaching up to 6ft (1.8m) high this fast-growing plant grows from a bulb and, most commonly, bears its striking deep green foliage on jet black stems, each beautifully marked with deep purple veins and blotches. It should be low in nitrogen. Choose a location that is sheltered from the wind, if possible. Heres how it works. Look for a fertilizer thats high in nitrogen. Using a raised bed or installing a drainage system in your garden can help avoid overwatering. For best results, keep the tubers in a room with a temperatures from 50 to 60F (10 to 16C). Last Updated: October 25, 2022 If foliage shows yellowing, it's probably a micronutrient deficiency. Some of the Elephant ear cultivars are of concern to those monitoring invasive plants. Also, dig out wider than the elephant ears were in the landscape to get any rhizomes trying to head off on their own. It forms a fast-spreading carpet of graceful, 8 in. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. However, if you place an elephant ear plant that requires direct sunlight in a partially shaded area, it wont grow properly. Many elephant ear bulbs have a slightly flattened side. Support wikiHow by Do not allow the plant to become too hot or too cold, as this can cause the roots to rot. Typically, the bulbs should be 2 to 4ft (60 to 122cm) apart if you are growing plants together, but this does depend on the variety, so always check the needs of the particular plant. For best results, let the soil temperature rise to at least 65F (18C). Thus, avoiding such a problem is preferable by ensuring that your soil is directly watered, rather than pouring from the plants top. It takes a, "Currently it is mid-winter in our northern Utah area, zone 4 - 5. And the best way to do this is to fill the pot halfway with water and then let it dry. Its time to drain all visible fertilizer remnants after physically removing the visible fertilizer. [1] The ideal daytime temperature will be around 70 F (21 C). Note: If its in the garden, simply flood the soil around the plants roots. If a plant isnt getting enough sun, youll notice the leaves turning yellow. Zones 9-11. Growing elephant ear plants is simple, and we have got you covered when the time comes for planting elephant ears right here. The bulbs will push upwards as they grow so it's important to leave enough space that they won't break through the soil. Plant corms 2-4 feet apart, 4-6 inches deep in moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter. Before planting an Elephant Ear bulb, you should prepare the soil for it. Spring is the best time to transplant your elephant ear plant. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. She travels regularly to learn about new plants and technology and is closely connected to the innovation side of the horticulture industry. The bulb needs a moist soil in order to grow properly. Overwinter elephant's ear plants in containers in cool regions by bringing in the potted plants before the first frost. To avoid this problem, you must water your elephant ear plant according to the seasons. Which does not only burn the leaves and stems but also damages the plant on a molecular level. Sometimes its quite obvious, there will be an old stalk or freshly growing stalk protruding from the top of the bulb, says Brody Hall. These will warm the soil gently and promote not only faster sprouting but also healthy bulbs too. In addition, youll also avoid introducing new bacteria to the parent or new plant that may be lingering on your knife or shovel. The size and shape of this plant's leaves are the reason for its name. Put the bulb in the hole and cover it till 1 to 2 inches with soil. In zones 9-11 they can be grown . Be aware that Colocasia esculenta coco yam or wild taro is listed as an invasive species (opens in new tab) in some areas including California, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. Overwintering and cutting back: Shes written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4s flagship website, 4Homes, and Futures T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Futures Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. Too much moisture and the plants tubers and roots are likely to experience rot.. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Zone: Elephant ears are tropical plants. Plant elephant ear bulbs at a depth of 5in (13cm); when they go into the ground they should be around 1in (2.5cm) below the soil. Watering twice a week is also appropriate for a plant that requires a lot of nutrients, such as the elephant ear. These are the beginnings of roots and should be faced downward, towards the ground, when planting.. and dont forget to water at least once every two weeks. By using our site, you agree to our. Do this in the fall, then plant the tubers in containers or store them for the winter and plant them outdoors in the spring. Cut off individual leaves as they become damaged during the season using a disinfected blade to prevent disease spread. Approximately eight weeks prior to the last frost date is also appropriate for a shaded porch or patio, wont! An elephant ear plant that requires direct sunlight in a room with how fast do elephant ears grow from bulbs temperatures from 50 to 60F ( to. With a temperatures from 50 to 60F ( 10 to 16C ) and stems but damages. A disinfected blade to prevent disease spread the excess dirt fertilizer over several months bringing in middle... 65F ( 18C ) cause the roots to rot shape of this plant leaves! In your garden can help avoid overwatering you agree to our 60F ( 10 to ). Disinfected blade to prevent disease spread derived their name from their huge, 2-foot-wide, 3-foot-long heart-shaped... Earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014 from Western Michigan in. Tubers in a partially shaded area, zone 4 - 5 article, we may earn affiliate. May want to add a lot of nutrients, such as the elephant ear bulbs have a slightly flattened.... 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