Since you’ll already be digging up your plant, this is a great time to separate the new tubers. Elephant ear plants grow from a swollen stem similar to a bulb but known as a corm. Elephant ears cannot survive winter outdoors. Depending on the climate in your region, you can successfully grow elephant ear plant indoors or outdoors. Freezing temperatures kill foliage and damage tubers. You can save money simply by storing elephant ear bulbs or plants for the winter. This plant thrives between pH 6-7. The ground will need to be very wet to encourage the plants to grow. Where to Plant your Elephant Ear Bulbs: Make sure to give your Elephant Ears plenty of room. Once planted, these plants grow fairly quickly and can double or even triple in size if they are taken care of properly. Cut away any parts of the bulbs that are rotting. Elephant ears' species name, esculentia, is the same term that gives us the word "esculent," meaning edible. It’s best to start growing them in large containers because it is easy to keep the soil moist, but you can certainly plant in-ground. Spread a 3-inch layer of mulch surrounding the elephant ear plant when it reaches 1 foot in height. 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. Elephant ear plants can be used as background plants, ground covers, or edging, especially around ponds or along walkways or patio enclosures. ZONE: Elephant ears are tropical plants. During dry spells, you may want to water plants regularly, especially those growing in containers. They prefer warm weather around 50°F (10°C). Keep reading to learn more about how to take care of an elephant ear plant. When and how deep to plant Elephant Ear Bulbs. In cooler areas (zones 3-8) the bulbs are planted in the spring and usually grown as annuals. (The bigger the bulb the deeper it goes.) In ideal growing conditions, the mammoth elephant ear plant can grow up to 8 feet tall with an equal spread. The leaves are massive and can come in variegated colors or even purplish-black. It is best to give them partial shade for a little while during an extremely hot day, but during winter days, it is best to give them direct sunlight. If you pick tubers that are large, plump and firm enough to hold big leaves, the leaves of your elephant ears will grow big and lush. Make sure to keep watering this plant. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! A glance at an elephant ear plant (Colocasia esculenta) is all you need to see where this tropical-looking plant got its name. They take well to growing in pots, provided you follow a few guidelines. They are also known as the taro plant or colocasia, a semi-tropical plant that needs to be moved indoors for winter. Their most common use, however, is as an accent or focal point. Planting elephant ear bulbs indoors approximately eight weeks prior to the last frost date is also acceptable. When planting, it’s a good idea to go at least 5-6″ inches deep since your plant will need a lot of space to grow. Elephant Ear Control – Ridding The Garden Of Unwanted Elephant Ear Plants, Elephant Ear Plant Types: Learn About Common Elephant Ear Plants, Elephant Ear Problems: What To Do With Elephant Ears Taking Over Garden, Keeping Gesneriad Houseplants: Caring For Indoor Gesneriads, Christmas Thriller Filler Spiller: How To Plant A Holiday Container, What Is A Houseplant Box – Keeping Plant Boxes Indoors, How To Grow Tomatoes In Pots and Containers, Growing Scallions – How To Plant Scallions, Poa Annua Control – Poa Annua Grass Treatment For Lawns, Tropical Holiday Cacti: Wonderous Display Of Christmas Cactus, Poinsettia Plant History: Where Did Christmas Poinsettia Come From, Norfolk Pine Holiday Plants – A Living Christmas Tree You’ll Love, Growing Plants Indoors: Forcing Amaryllis Blooms In Winter. Elephant ears cannot survive winter outdoors. Whatever growth they have in tact soil temperature is 65ºF fairly quickly and can double or purplish-black. 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