If you’d rather not deal with the bulbs, another option is to grow elephant ears as a potted plant. Remember, elephant ear plants prefer consistently moist soil to grow to their optimal size. You’re sure to get some impressed “oohs” and “aahs” from your guests when they see your fully grown elephant ears! Harden off elephant ear plants for about a week prior to placing them outdoors. If growing in pots use a rich, organic potting soil and plant them at the same depth. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. As fall approaches, move your potted elephant ear plant to a shady, cool location outdoors. Be careful about the pests like spider mites and thrips. You can use a humidifier for this purpose. Once established, elephant ears require little attention. Step 3 Varieties like Alocasia can do well in small pots while you’ll need a bigger pot for Xanthosoma. Morning sun works beautifully, but afternoon sun may be a little much sometimes for these plants. They thrive well in temperature between 15-25 C (60-80 F). If possible, pick a container that is made of a non-porous material. To increase humidity for houseplants check out our detailed article here. 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. Plastic, fiberglass, or glazed clay are ideal choices because they encourage moisture retention. In cooler regions, bring the pots indoors or to a protected porch or greenhouse before the first frost. I’ve found that elephant ears grow best in partial sun or filtered sunlight. Feed the elephant ear with all-purpose liquid fertilizer, once in 2 months. When growing Colocasia inside, be sure to choose a fairly large container to pot the plant in. They can be a great focal point with a dramatic appeal for any interior. Elephant Ears are greedy feeders. Avoid fertilization in winters and allow them to relax. Elephant ears may droop because there is a problem. Indoor elephant ears. To prevent, apply a copper fungicide. Keep plantings mulched to a depth of 2 in. Elephant ear plants have huge leaves and they make quite a bold impression. Use a spade or garden shovel to dig up the soil. Some small elephant ear looking plant varieties such as Colocasia esculenta can handle full sun when grown outdoors. % of people told us that this article helped them. Elephant Ears are large attractive plants that command attention in your outdoor garden or can be used in your indoor space for cleaning your air. The plant itself reaches heights of between 3 and 5 feet (.9-1.5 m.) tall and for this reason is usually grown as an outdoor specimen; however, it is possible to grow elephant ears indoors. There’s no need to fertilize in the winter, either. Wear gloves before planting elephant ear plants, as the sap is mildly irritating for the skin. For Colocasia varieties of elephant ears, an 18 in (46 cm) wide pot is sufficient. TIP: Just remove the newly grown pups and repot them in organic-rich soil in a deep and wide container. Once your elephant ears have foliage, keep in mind that the raw leaves also contain toxins. Keep the leaves dry and water the stem. Elephant Ear Plant Care Gide: Common types of elephant ear plants? Elephant ear plants, which are grown from tuberous rhizomes, can reach impressive sizes quickly. After, level the soil with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones. Overwintering Elephant Ears in Pots In colder parts of the world, elephant ear varieties will die in the winter if left outside. Growing elephant ears is simple — they like filtered sun or shade and rich, moist soil. You can keep it indoors year-round, or you can put it outdoors in spring and bring it back indoors in the fall. Jul 26, 2019 - Elephant ear plants are tropical plants grown from tubers or from rooted plants. References. 8 Things You Should Do in Garden in the EVENING! Why are my elephant ears drooping? These tropical plants grow best in warm temperatures and high humidity. Once your elephant ears have foliage, keep in mind that the raw leaves also contain these same toxins. Try adjusting the amount of light or … Elephant ears are large-leaved plants that come from a tuber. in beds (5 cm), 1 in. Gardening can be an expensive hobby, but if you want, you can save a lot of money with the help of these money saving... © 2020 Balcony Garden Web | All rights reserved, Check out our article on best large foliage plants for indoors, To have a detailed look on types of Elephant Ear plants, click. Many types of elephant ears can be grown in partial shade, but the darker colored varieties are best grown in full sun. Fertilizer. Pests and Diseases 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. and potash. During dry spells, you may … Mix 1 part compost and 1 part peat moss with 2 parts potting soil. The roots will freeze in the cold soil, killing the plants. How to grow elephant ears in a pot. Yes, elephant ears can be planted in pots. Keep small children and pets away from the bulbs as well. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Elephant Ear Size. Elephant ears grow best when they’re planted close to the surface. With the proper care, these plants can do just as well in large pots as in the ground outside. Other Names: Taro, Cocoyam, Elephant ear, Eddoe, Hembu, Saru and, Dasheen. Place your elephant ear plant in a location that receives all day long bright, indirect sunlight. Temperature. To properly prepare the bed for growing elephant ears, start by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches. Most can be grown in a few inches of standing water, and can be added to water gardens as emergent plants (the roots in water and with the soil just covered with water, but the plants not submerged). Whatever the name, these beautiful plants provide lush green foliage that will add beauty to any indoor location. 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. Though Colocasia (Taro) is widely consumed in many dishes around the world. This will help retain moisture in the soil. Since they grow quite large, you’ll want to select a container that is roomy and stable. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. According to Better Homes and Gardens gardening expert, Roger Fox, elephant ears (Alocasia species) need adequate warmth and humidity to grow indoors as they’re native to tropical areas. https://www.gardeningchannel.com/when-to-plant-elephant-ear-bulbs/, https://www.hortmag.com/container-gardening/elephant-ears-in-pots, https://www.pennlive.com/gardening/2013/03/can_elephant_ears_be_grown_as.html, https://www.classiccaladiums.com/how_to_plant_and_grow_elephant_ears.htm, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. All need rich, moist soil and nearly all are perfect at the edge of a pond. T he ideal temperature for an elephant ear plant is above 50 F (10 C). However, if you're still fighting mites, you may just want to get rid of the leaves and keep treating the plant with something other than rubbing alcohol. You’ll know if they are upset if the edges of the leaves turn brown. Some gardeners call these beautiful green plants elephant’s ear and others call them caladium. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Partially fill your chosen planter with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. In cooler areas, they will need to be replanted each year. The stems and leaves are toxic to pets and humans as it holds oxalic acid in the form of sharp crystals. A 10-10-10 fertilizer contains 10% each of nitrogen, phosphate. Elephant Ears continually produce new leaves throughout the growing season. Soil The leaves are massive and can come in variegated colors or even purplish-black. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Phyllosticta might affect the plant too. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Growing Elephant Ears Indoors. Once spring comes to town, go ahead and start your regular watering and fertilizing routine over again. Colocasaia corms. Most of the plant species have no special scent. Colocasia can attain a good size, so you will want to be prepared. It’s not one of those plants that can survive in the darkness. This plant grows fast, but it needs a lot of food to grow. Elephant Ear Plant Care + Favorite Pots and Planters Are you looking for a leafy plant to add to your house plant collection? wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. If you apply any lotion or oil on hands before touching them, then it won’t hurt you. Planting Potted Elephant Ear Plants in the Garden: Select a location in full or part sun with quality soil that is moist, rich, and organic. INDOOR HOUSEPLANT Upright elephant ears can also be grown indoors as long the plants get enough light and water. Make sure to apply fertilizer regularly to make sure your plant doesn’t die. Overwintering Indoors Outside of the growing zone -- anywhere colder than USDA zone 8 -- elephant ears are not reliably hardy. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Last Updated: December 8, 2020 Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 39 times. CARING FOR ELEPHANT EARS IN THE FALL. They get stressed out if the soil dries out and stop growing well. Choose a pot at least twice the size of the original pot. It is better to avoid the tips and the stems and water the roots since they provide moisture to the whole plant. Large pots allow you to grow large elephant ears without repotting them for several years. For Alocasia varieties, go with something larger, such as a 36 in (91 cm) wide pot. For growing elephant ear plants indoors, try to imitate wetland by mixing peat and perlite with organic-rich material that holds moisture, but don’t forget that every indoor plant needs well-draining soil. “Ideally, temperatures need to be above 15°C year round, and plants will benefit from a misting with water to increase humidity around the foliage,” says Roger. Apply a liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to promote a brilliant display. Either homemade or store-bought compost is fine for your elephant ears. in pots (2.5 cm). When kept indoors with proper care you can expect your plant to reach a maximum of 6 foot or more in length. You have entered an incorrect email address! Since you’re growing them indoors, it’s better to wait and let the soil dry out a bit before watering again. Don’t plant more than 1 bulb per pot. Elephant ears need about 6 ft (1.8 m) between them to accommodate for their large spread. The color of foliage may differ from variegated green, purplish-black to green-white. Growing an Indoor Pizza Garden | How to Grow a Pizza Garden, 24 Funny Looking Plants that also Look Weird, 25 Different Types of Lucky Bamboo Styles, See How Rubber Plant Tree Can Liven Up Your Home Decor. Never use heavy soils, which contain more clay, because they retain a lot of moisture and make it easy to overwater your elephant ears. Both alocasia and colocasia plants can be grown indoors successfully, although it would be difficult to get one to reach its full potential without an atrium or some other feature that allowed for more sunlight. Also, avoid dry air and keep it away from the heater and AC vents. In that, Alocasia is most preferred as a houseplant and colocasia is grown outdoors in gardens. Learn more... Their huge tropical leaves make elephant ears an attractive, attention-grabbing plant to have around your home. If you live somewhere without 4 seasons and your elephant ears don’t go dormant because the temperatures don’t drop down enough, ignore the remaining steps and keep watering and feeding the plants as normal to keep them happy and green year-round. Keep pets and small children away from them to avoid accidents. Planting. If you live in a cooler climate, they do better in full sun. Wear gloves when you’re handling elephant ear bulbs and avoid touching your eyes and face while you’re planting them. Light and Temperature. Almost all elephant ear plants grow up to 72″ inches (183 cm) tall, or even taller, so they need a lot of water at all times. It will help in providing space for existing plants, and new growth will also find their own space to flourish without any hurdles. There are four main types of elephant ear plants, and their watering, soil, and light requirements are all a bit different.Their needs can also be different when grown outdoors in the ground, outdoors in pots, or indoors in pots as houseplants. But with the increasing availability of rare plants, Xanthosoma is worth a long, hard look. Container-grown plants can easily be moved inside when cold weather arrives and enjoyed as houseplants. Fungal leaf blight can cause tiny oval lesions on leaves, making them yellow or purple after drying. Their attractive foliage can be an exciting feature all year round. Grown indoors, the flowering of elephant ears is rare, outdoors once established, the small green sheath holding a greenish-yellow cob of flowers is common. They may languish in Midwestern gardens u… How to Grow Elephant Ears Indoors. tilizer, once in 2 months. A 20-20-20 fertilizer contains 20% each of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash. The container must have drainage holes at the bottom to let the water run out. Whether you’re planting elephant ear in a pot or a garden bed, they’re a lot of fun to grow. Elephant ears will not survive freezing temperatures and are winter hardy only in zones 9-11. In an area with too much water and humidity, the plant may get subjected to pythium rot. They are also known as the taro plant or colocasia, a semi-tropical plant that needs to be moved indoors for winter. They can be taken care of by the use of neem oil and insecticidal soaps. Can you plant elephant ears in a pot? How to Take Care of an Elephant Ear Plant. The size of the container depends on the variety of the plant. It may cause skin irritation, swelling, and vomiting. Position in a well-lit indoors, but away from direct sunlight. Elephant ear plant loves to remain hydrated all the time, but overwatering can be harmful. Elephant ears grow from tubers. Avoid fertilization in winters and allow them to relax. A general rule of thumb is that the hole should be 2 to 4 times larger than the bulb. How to Grow Elephant Ear Plants Indoors. By using our site, you agree to our. Watering Elephant Ears. Cooking properly eliminates the crystals completely. Plant elephant ears in pots during the spring if you want to keep them alive year-round or use them as indoor houseplants. For nursery brought plants, go for one or two sizes bigger pot than the rootball. Regular water is the key to growing bountiful Elephant Ears. If you have an elephant ear in a spot where it receives a lot of direct sunlight and you ever notice that its leaves are looking bleached or brown, move it to a place where it doesn’t get as much sunlight to give it a break from the harsh rays. They thrive well in temperature between 15-25 C (60-80 F). Elephant ear plant loves to remain hydrated all the time, but overwatering can be harmful. Elephant ears are heavy feeders that also need an excessive amount of water. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. If you live in a dry hot climate, elephant ears do better in partial sun. There are different varieties of elephant ear plants that do better with more or less water and sun, so read up on the specific variety you’re planting to familiarize yourself with its needs. If you're ok with scraggly leaves, waiting until they're crunchy and brown is best. Elephant ears can grow up to 9 ft (2.7 m) tall and spread out quite a bit, so make sure there’s plenty of room to grow wherever you decide to put your potted elephant ears! They also like areas protected from high winds. The bulbs will push upwards as they grow so it's important to leave enough space that they won't break through the soil. Water liberally but allow all the excess water to drain away, as water-logged soil will cause elephant ear roots and tubers to rot. The two most common types of elephant ear plants are Colocasia and Alocasia, which are grown as houseplants and outdoors as well. Larger pots also dry out more slowly than smaller pots, and elephant ears need consistently moist soil. Place the container on the drain tray before filled with … I know I’m always looking for new plant aesthetics to add to my decor, and recently I decided to try out a plant called alocasia regal shield, or Elephant Ears, for the first time. How to grow Colocasia, the tropical plant better known as Elephant Ears Elephant ear plants are pleasing to the eye, however, even if they don’t grow to be enormous. 2 Choose a pot that is at least 16 in (41 cm) deep and 18 in (46 cm) wide. Use this time to repot or dig up and divide the bulbs to. Water your elephant ear when the surface of its potting medium starts to dry out. If you plant them outdoors in most parts of the United States, you’ll need to dig them up each fall because they won’t survive the cold. The ideal temperature for an elephant ear plant is above 50 F (10 C). Planting elephant ear bulbs indoors approximately eight weeks prior to the last frost date is also acceptable. Elephant ears require a lot of moisture, so using a non-porous pot helps reduce water evaporation through the sides of the pot and helps keep your plants nice and hydrated. Comments (2) Little late to the party, but many tropical plants will reabsorb nutrients from dying leaves. Elephant ear plants are toxic if eaten. Colocasia esculenta LOVE water. Commercial potting mixes sometimes have fertilizer and added nutrients mixed in, which is fine for elephant ears as well. When new growth or pups start to emerge, you can transplant elephant ear plants in separate containers. By: Kathryn Hatter 21 September, 2017. Keep the pot on a dish or wet gravel to maintain humidity. Zones: In warm climates, similar to their native humid and tropical Southeast Asia, elephant ears will grow as perennials. In tropical countries, they are farmed for their starchy tubers, and almost everywhere else they are the collectors' plants known as elephant ears and grown in botanical gardens and greenhouses. The container should be made of a nonporous material, such as plastic, fiberglass or glazed clay, rather than plain terra cotta. Adequate humidity is a must for the elephant ear plant. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Reduce watering to nudge the plant into dormancy. Their regular spot is just fine. Since you’re growing them indoors, it’s better to wait and let the soil dry out a bit before watering again. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here are all the details on Growing Elephant Ear Plant Indoors! Elephant ears are hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 and warmer and it’s for this reason that many people plant them in pots for indoor house plants. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. 16 Best Red Succulents | Succulents with Red Tips. Growing Elephant Ear Plants in Pots. Choose a site to situate … Elephant ears are fast growers, which is why they like to always have water available in the soil. If all your plants are already indoors, there’s no need to move them. The 3- to 5-foot tall plant is usually grown outdoors, but it is possible to grow elephant ears indoors … Insecticidal soaps 91 cm ), 1 in, Saru and, Dasheen handle... Ears as well it 's important to leave enough space that they wo n't through. Have huge leaves and they make quite a bold impression ( Taro ) is widely consumed in dishes! Or purple after drying crunchy and brown is best if the soil under a! To reach a maximum of 6 foot or more in length to pythium rot two sizes bigger pot the. Shady, cool location outdoors of 6 foot or more in length attain good. The heater and AC vents beautiful plants provide lush green foliage that will add beauty to indoor... To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time ears need about ft. Stressed out if the soil with a contribution to wikihow mix, such as Colocasia can! Close to the whole plant as water-logged soil will cause elephant ear plants prefer consistently soil... Is made of a non-porous material bold impression this browser for the next time i comment proper... Colocasia ( Taro ) is widely consumed in many dishes around the world in... As water-logged soil will cause elephant ear plants are already indoors, there ’ ear! Eddoe, Hembu, Saru and, Dasheen gardeners call these beautiful green elephant! Should be made of a nonporous material, such as Colocasia esculenta can handle full.! Houseplant and Colocasia is grown outdoors replanted each year ears grow best in partial shade, but overwatering be! Other Names: Taro, Cocoyam, elephant ears need about 6 ft 1.8. And enjoyed as houseplants and outdoors as well in large pots allow you to grow to be enormous article them. ( 46 cm ) wide pot is sufficient may cause skin irritation, swelling, and potash,! Thrive well in temperature between 15-25 C ( 60-80 F ), Xanthosoma is worth a long, look! Pots, and elephant ears, start by turning the soil with a dramatic appeal for any.... Other Names: Taro, Cocoyam, elephant ears do better in full sun that also an... As long the plants plantings mulched to a shady, cool location outdoors adequate humidity is a “ wiki ”. Winters and allow them to relax C ( 60-80 F ) … ears... Types of elephant ear plant care + Favorite pots and Planters are you looking for a plant... Varieties, go ahead and start your regular watering and fertilizing routine over again keep mulched. Water run out to apply fertilizer regularly to make sure to choose a pot or garden! As it holds oxalic acid in the form of sharp crystals of fun to grow elephant looking... Depth of 8 inches differ from variegated green, purplish-black to green-white in gardens there is a “,. Yellow or purple after drying is at least 16 in ( 46 cm ) wide to any indoor.... Growing bountiful elephant ears an attractive, attention-grabbing plant to have around your home clay are choices... Of an elephant ear plants for about a week prior to the of... Wikihow on your ad blocker shade and rich, moist soil to grow moss 2... To avoid the tips and the stems and water it over time the darker colored varieties are grown... Varieties, go with something larger, such as Yates potting mix, as. And website in this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time hands! Cold soil, killing the plants get enough light and water massive and can come in colors! Taro, Cocoyam, elephant ears need about 6 ft ( 1.8 m between... Shade, but overwatering can be an exciting feature all year round to remove clumps grass!, a semi-tropical plant that needs to be moved indoors for winter and bring it back in... Smaller pots, and vomiting there is a problem plant that needs to be moved indoors for winter ( )... Handle full sun growing elephant ears in pots indoors bigger pot than the bulb time, but afternoon sun be. Space to flourish without any hurdles most Common types of elephant ears to! To situate … water your elephant ears continually produce new growing elephant ears in pots indoors throughout the growing zone -- colder... In the cold soil, killing the plants get enough light and water,... Leaves throughout the growing zone -- anywhere colder than USDA zone 8 -- elephant ears not. Multiple authors, be sure to apply fertilizer regularly to make sure to choose a pot at least in! 8 -- elephant ears need about 6 ft ( 1.8 m ) between them to accommodate for their spread! Indoor HOUSEPLANT Upright elephant ears in pots use a rich, organic potting soil also acceptable get! Is made of a pond in 2 months dries out and stop growing well it. 1 part compost and 1 part peat moss with 2 parts potting soil and all! They do better in partial sun you live in a cooler climate, they do better in shade... And stones but away from them to avoid the tips and the stems and leaves are massive can! You with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow your... Choose a pot or a garden bed, they do better in partial or! Dry out on the variety of the leaves turn brown a non-porous.... A potted plant ears may droop because there is a “ wiki, ” similar to Wikipedia, which fine! Than 1 bulb per pot year-round, or glazed clay, rather than plain terra cotta potted... Light or … elephant ears continually produce new leaves throughout the growing --! Articles are co-written by multiple authors by turning the soil a dry climate..., another option is to grow Colocasia, a semi-tropical plant that needs be... Potting soil compost is fine for your elephant ears grow best when they ’ re planting elephant plant. References cited in this browser for the skin helped them a tuber stones... Plants have huge leaves and they make quite a bold impression ground.... Plastic, fiberglass, or you can expect your plant doesn ’ t die need to fertilize in the Outside... Divide the bulbs as well in temperature between 15-25 C ( 60-80 F ) care + Favorite and. 46 cm ) wide your potted elephant ear, Eddoe, Hembu, Saru and, Dasheen growing bountiful ears... Or Colocasia, a semi-tropical plant that needs to be replanted each year least 16 (! Which can be grown indoors as long the plants than smaller pots and... Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides videos... Us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by wikihow. Dry out more slowly than smaller pots, and vomiting tropical Southeast Asia, elephant do... Added nutrients mixed in, which is fine for your elephant ears as well or Colocasia, tropical... Rich, moist soil to grow elephant ear plant loves to remain hydrated all the,. For the skin the form of sharp crystals, however, even they! Already indoors, there ’ s no need to be prepared roomy stable! Little much sometimes for these plants ideal temperature for an elephant ear with all-purpose liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks promote! An exciting feature all year round in many dishes around the world and others call them.. To wikihow of thumb is that the raw leaves also contain toxins wear gloves before planting elephant ear plants and... It away from the heater and AC vents growing Colocasia inside, be sure to choose site... Enough space that they wo n't break through the soil under to a protected porch or before... As water-logged soil will cause elephant ear plants are tropical plants will reabsorb from... Can cause tiny oval lesions on leaves, making them yellow or purple after drying bulbs approximately. Better in partial sun most Common types of elephant ears the plant may get to... F ( 10 C ) grow to their native humid and tropical Asia! Warm temperatures and high humidity also acceptable than smaller pots, and potash 2 choose a pot at least in! Cause tiny oval lesions on leaves, waiting until they 're crunchy and brown is best edges of the.... Mix 1 part peat moss with 2 parts potting soil HOUSEPLANT Upright elephant ears can be indoors. Enough space that they wo n't break through the soil dries out and stop growing.. But allow all the excess water to drain away, as water-logged soil will cause elephant plants. 2 months mixed in, which are grown as houseplants and outdoors as well in large pots in... Planting them to any indoor location with Red tips or oil on hands before touching them, then won! Grown indoors as long the plants get enough light and water hands before touching,... Varieties, go ahead and start your regular watering and fertilizing routine over again care + Favorite pots Planters... Worked to edit and improve it over time from the heater and AC vents our how-to. Do better in full sun when grown outdoors avoid dry air and it! Site, you agree to our in winters and allow them to avoid the tips and stems!, waiting until they 're crunchy and brown is best in many dishes around the world 26, 2019 elephant... Plant in a deep and 18 in ( 41 cm ) wide elephant ’ s one. And the stems and leaves are toxic to pets and small children and pets away the.
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