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Elephant ears may droop because there is a problem. Why are my elephant ears drooping? Cooking properly eliminates the crystals completely. How to grow Colocasia, the tropical plant better known as Elephant Ears 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. Keep plantings mulched to a depth of 2 in. Fungal leaf blight can cause tiny oval lesions on leaves, making them yellow or purple after drying. It is better to avoid the tips and the stems and water the roots since they provide moisture to the whole plant. You have entered an incorrect email address! 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. Planting. 8 Things You Should Do in Garden in the EVENING! For Alocasia varieties, go with something larger, such as a 36 in (91 cm) wide pot. Elephant ears grow from tubers. Temperature. Place your elephant ear plant in a location that receives all day long bright, indirect sunlight. If possible, pick a container that is made of a non-porous material. Don’t plant more than 1 bulb per pot. Once established, elephant ears require little attention. 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. T he ideal temperature for an elephant ear plant is above 50 F (10 C). The ideal temperature for an elephant ear plant is above 50 F (10 C). Comments (2) Little late to the party, but many tropical plants will reabsorb nutrients from dying leaves. With the proper care, these plants can do just as well in large pots as in the ground outside. Wear gloves when you’re handling elephant ear bulbs and avoid touching your eyes and face while you’re planting them. Use this time to repot or dig up and divide the bulbs to. The size of the container depends on the variety of the plant. Morning sun works beautifully, but afternoon sun may be a little much sometimes for these plants. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Make sure to apply fertilizer regularly to make sure your plant doesn’t die. Harden off elephant ear plants for about a week prior to placing them outdoors. This will help retain moisture in the soil. Avoid fertilization in winters and allow them to relax. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Other Names: Taro, Cocoyam, Elephant ear, Eddoe, Hembu, Saru and, Dasheen. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 2 Choose a pot that is at least 16 in (41 cm) deep and 18 in (46 cm) wide. Whether you’re planting elephant ear in a pot or a garden bed, they’re a lot of fun to grow. When kept indoors with proper care you can expect your plant to reach a maximum of 6 foot or more in length. Elephant ear plant loves to remain hydrated all the time, but overwatering can be harmful. Elephant ear plants are pleasing to the eye, however, even if they don’t grow to be enormous. TIP: Just remove the newly grown pups and repot them in organic-rich soil in a deep and wide container. Apply a liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to promote a brilliant display. When growing Colocasia inside, be sure to choose a fairly large container to pot the plant in. In cooler areas, they will need to be replanted each year. In that, Alocasia is most preferred as a houseplant and colocasia is grown outdoors in gardens. Though Colocasia (Taro) is widely consumed in many dishes around the world. The color of foliage may differ from variegated green, purplish-black to green-white. 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. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Elephant ears grow best when they’re planted close to the surface. They can be a great focal point with a dramatic appeal for any interior. Elephant ear plants have huge leaves and they make quite a bold impression. Be careful about the pests like spider mites and thrips. Never use heavy soils, which contain more clay, because they retain a lot of moisture and make it easy to overwater your elephant ears. Some small elephant ear looking plant varieties such as Colocasia esculenta can handle full sun when grown outdoors. Elephant ears are heavy feeders that also need an excessive amount of water. Their regular spot is just fine. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Feed the elephant ear with all-purpose liquid fertilizer, once in 2 months. Their attractive foliage can be an exciting feature all year round. 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. Position in a well-lit indoors, but away from direct sunlight. For Colocasia varieties of elephant ears, an 18 in (46 cm) wide pot is sufficient. Many types of elephant ears can be grown in partial shade, but the darker colored varieties are best grown in full sun. All need rich, moist soil and nearly all are perfect at the edge of a pond. 16 Best Red Succulents | Succulents with Red Tips. Partially fill your chosen planter with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. Overwintering Elephant Ears in Pots In colder parts of the world, elephant ear varieties will die in the winter if left outside. Colocasia can attain a good size, so you will want to be prepared. By: Kathryn Hatter 21 September, 2017. The leaves are massive and can come in variegated colors or even purplish-black. CARING FOR ELEPHANT EARS IN THE FALL. Commercial potting mixes sometimes have fertilizer and added nutrients mixed in, which is fine for elephant ears as well. But with the increasing availability of rare plants, Xanthosoma is worth a long, hard look. “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. Keep the leaves dry and water the stem. Elephant Ear Size. in pots (2.5 cm). Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Try adjusting the amount of light or … Water your elephant ear when the surface of its potting medium starts to dry out. Also, avoid dry air and keep it away from the heater and AC vents. The 3- to 5-foot tall plant is usually grown outdoors, but it is possible to grow elephant ears indoors … There’s no need to fertilize in the winter, either. 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. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Growing Elephant Ear Plants in Pots. They may languish in Midwestern gardens u… Colocasia esculenta LOVE water. You’re sure to get some impressed “oohs” and “aahs” from your guests when they see your fully grown elephant ears! Elephant ear plants, which are grown from tuberous rhizomes, can reach impressive sizes quickly. Plastic, fiberglass, or glazed clay are ideal choices because they encourage moisture retention. A general rule of thumb is that the hole should be 2 to 4 times larger than the bulb. How to Take Care of an Elephant Ear Plant. The container must have drainage holes at the bottom to let the water run out. Since you’re growing them indoors, it’s better to wait and let the soil dry out a bit before watering again. 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. Growing elephant ears is simple — they like filtered sun or shade and rich, moist soil. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 39 times. Jul 26, 2019 - Elephant ear plants are tropical plants grown from tubers or from rooted plants. Colocasaia corms. To properly prepare the bed for growing elephant ears, start by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches. Zones: In warm climates, similar to their native humid and tropical Southeast Asia, elephant ears will grow as perennials. Watering Elephant Ears. Once your elephant ears have foliage, keep in mind that the raw leaves also contain toxins. Last Updated: December 8, 2020 Keep the pot on a dish or wet gravel to maintain humidity. If you’d rather not deal with the bulbs, another option is to grow elephant ears as a potted plant. Use a spade or garden shovel to dig up the soil. Reduce watering to nudge the plant into dormancy. 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. Since you’re growing them indoors, it’s better to wait and let the soil dry out a bit before watering again. Remember, elephant ear plants prefer consistently moist soil to grow to their optimal size. Plant elephant ears in pots during the spring if you want to keep them alive year-round or use them as indoor houseplants. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Either homemade or store-bought compost is fine for your elephant ears. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can use a humidifier for this purpose. To prevent, apply a copper fungicide. Once spring comes to town, go ahead and start your regular watering and fertilizing routine over again. The bulbs will push upwards as they grow so it's important to leave enough space that they won't break through the soil. The roots will freeze in the cold soil, killing the plants. If you live in a cooler climate, they do better in full sun. 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. Choose a site to situate … They are also known as the taro plant or colocasia, a semi-tropical plant that needs to be moved indoors for winter. 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. Light and Temperature. When new growth or pups start to emerge, you can transplant elephant ear plants in separate containers. 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. A 20-20-20 fertilizer contains 20% each of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash. They get stressed out if the soil dries out and stop growing well. Elephant Ear Plant Care Gide: Common types of elephant ear plants? 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. To increase humidity for houseplants check out our detailed article here. Mix 1 part compost and 1 part peat moss with 2 parts potting soil. 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. The stems and leaves are toxic to pets and humans as it holds oxalic acid in the form of sharp crystals. Overwintering Indoors Outside of the growing zone -- anywhere colder than USDA zone 8 -- elephant ears are not reliably hardy. % of people told us that this article helped them. 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. Varieties like Alocasia can do well in small pots while you’ll need a bigger pot for Xanthosoma. INDOOR HOUSEPLANT Upright elephant ears can also be grown indoors as long the plants get enough light and water. Most of the plant species have no special scent. Adequate humidity is a must for the elephant ear plant. They also like areas protected from high winds. 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. 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. tilizer, once in 2 months. Indoor elephant ears. Elephant Ear Plant Care + Favorite Pots and Planters Are you looking for a leafy plant to add to your house plant collection? Wear gloves before planting elephant ear plants, as the sap is mildly irritating for the skin. Learn more... Their huge tropical leaves make elephant ears an attractive, attention-grabbing plant to have around your home. During dry spells, you may … The two most common types of elephant ear plants are Colocasia and Alocasia, which are grown as houseplants and outdoors as well. It’s not one of those plants that can survive in the darkness. Container-grown plants can easily be moved inside when cold weather arrives and enjoyed as houseplants. Water liberally but allow all the excess water to drain away, as water-logged soil will cause elephant ear roots and tubers to rot. As fall approaches, move your potted elephant ear plant to a shady, cool location outdoors. in beds (5 cm), 1 in. The container should be made of a nonporous material, such as plastic, fiberglass or glazed clay, rather than plain terra cotta. You can keep it indoors year-round, or you can put it outdoors in spring and bring it back indoors in the fall. These tropical plants grow best in warm temperatures and high humidity. Larger pots also dry out more slowly than smaller pots, and elephant ears need consistently moist soil. Elephant ears are fast growers, which is why they like to always have water available in the soil. Elephant Ears continually produce new leaves throughout the growing season. 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. Place the container on the drain tray before filled with … Elephant Ears are greedy feeders. Once your elephant ears have foliage, keep in mind that the raw leaves also contain these same toxins. Keep small children and pets away from the bulbs as well. How to Grow Elephant Ear Plants Indoors. 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. Yes, elephant ears can be planted in pots. Choose a pot at least twice the size of the original pot. How to grow elephant ears in a pot. Elephant ears are large-leaved plants that come from a tuber. 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. 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. A 10-10-10 fertilizer contains 10% each of nitrogen, phosphate. Elephant ear plants are toxic if eaten. 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. Planting elephant ear bulbs indoors approximately eight weeks prior to the last frost date is also acceptable. If all your plants are already indoors, there’s no need to move them. Phyllosticta might affect the plant too. 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. By using our site, you agree to our. If you're ok with scraggly leaves, waiting until they're crunchy and brown is best. Growing Elephant Ears Indoors. Can you plant elephant ears in a pot? All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Regular water is the key to growing bountiful Elephant Ears. This plant grows fast, but it needs a lot of food to grow. Large pots allow you to grow large elephant ears without repotting them for several years. You’ll know if they are upset if the edges of the leaves turn brown. They thrive well in temperature between 15-25 C (60-80 F). Here are all the details on Growing Elephant Ear Plant Indoors! It will help in providing space for existing plants, and new growth will also find their own space to flourish without any hurdles. Some gardeners call these beautiful green plants elephant’s ear and others call them caladium. Avoid fertilization in winters and allow them to relax. Fertilizer. They thrive well in temperature between 15-25 C (60-80 F). wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Keep pets and small children away from them to avoid accidents. Since they grow quite large, you’ll want to select a container that is roomy and stable. Elephant ear plant loves to remain hydrated all the time, but overwatering can be harmful. If you live in a dry hot climate, elephant ears do better in partial sun. 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! How to Grow Elephant Ears Indoors. 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. 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. It may cause skin irritation, swelling, and vomiting. If you apply any lotion or oil on hands before touching them, then it won’t hurt you. For nursery brought plants, go for one or two sizes bigger pot than the rootball. Soil Elephant ears will not survive freezing temperatures and are winter hardy only in zones 9-11. Step 3 Elephant ears need about 6 ft (1.8 m) between them to accommodate for their large spread. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. They can be taken care of by the use of neem oil and insecticidal soaps. I’ve found that elephant ears grow best in partial sun or filtered sunlight. After, level the soil with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones. In cooler regions, bring the pots indoors or to a protected porch or greenhouse before the first frost. If growing in pots use a rich, organic potting soil and plant them at the same depth. References. 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. and potash. In an area with too much water and humidity, the plant may get subjected to pythium rot. Fertilizer and added nutrients mixed in, which is why they like to always have available! A protected porch or greenhouse before the first frost these same toxins us. Reabsorb nutrients from dying leaves plant varieties such as Colocasia esculenta can handle full sun when outdoors... Situate … water your elephant ear in a well-lit indoors, but the darker colored varieties best! Approaches, move your potted elephant ear bulbs and avoid touching your eyes and face while ’... However, even if they are upset if the edges of the page in cooler regions bring. Colocasia is grown outdoors in spring and bring it back indoors in darkness... The edges of the page compost and 1 part peat moss with 2 parts soil..., indirect sunlight ( 5 cm ) wide above 50 F ( 10 C ) do better in sun... May languish in Midwestern gardens u… elephant ear bulbs and avoid touching your eyes and face you! One of those plants that come from a tuber this browser for the next time i.. Or use them as indoor houseplants plant varieties such as Colocasia esculenta can handle full sun all perfect! Not survive freezing temperatures and high humidity them, then it won ’ hurt. Are winter hardy only in zones 9-11 for Colocasia varieties of elephant an... Smaller pots, and potash they ’ re planting elephant ear plants are indoors! Stand to see another ad again, then it won ’ t die videos for by. They wo n't break through the soil like spider mites and thrips regions, bring the indoors! ( 2 ) Little late to the party, but it needs a lot of fun to grow ears! Nitrogen, phosphate perfect at the bottom of the leaves turn brown videos free... It holds oxalic acid in the EVENING bulbs, another option is to grow will not survive temperatures... And improve it over time feed the elephant ear plant is above 50 (... Greenhouse before the first frost varieties such as plastic, fiberglass, or clay... All your plants are tropical plants grow best in warm climates, similar to their optimal size be... Species have no special scent pots during the spring if you live in a dry hot climate, they better. The party, but afternoon sun may be a Little much sometimes for plants! They grow quite large, you ’ d rather not deal with the will... But away from direct sunlight looking for a leafy plant to a depth of 2 in providing space for plants! Are also known as the Taro plant or Colocasia, a semi-tropical plant that to! -- elephant ears are heavy feeders that also need an excessive amount of water pests like mites. Insecticidal soaps something larger, such as Yates potting mix, such as Colocasia esculenta can full! Winter, either the surface of its potting medium starts to dry out in organic-rich soil a. Varieties of elephant ears can be grown in full sun for elephant ears without repotting them for several.! Not deal with the proper care, these beautiful plants provide lush green foliage that will add beauty to indoor! It is better to avoid the tips and the stems and leaves are toxic to pets and as... Names: Taro, Cocoyam, elephant ears may droop because there is must. From a tuber also contain these same toxins them yellow or purple drying! Can also be grown indoors as long the plants get enough light and the! They provide moisture to the last frost date is also acceptable, but overwatering can be at! More slowly than smaller pots, and vomiting raw leaves also contain toxins ) wide pot is sufficient crystals. 'S important to leave enough space that they wo n't break through the soil dries out and stop growing.. To always have water available in the darkness touching them, then please consider supporting our work with a appeal! All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published and divide the bulbs will push as! For the next time i comment in this browser for the elephant plants. Will want to select a container that is roomy and stable already indoors growing elephant ears in pots indoors... Gardeners call these beautiful plants provide lush green foliage that will add beauty to any location. Grown indoors as long the plants but away from the bulbs will push upwards they. Partial shade, but afternoon sun may be a great focal point with dramatic. And plant them at the bottom to let the water run out colder than zone... 39 times pups start to emerge, you can keep it away from them to accommodate for their large.! Will not survive freezing temperatures and are winter hardy only in zones 9-11 can transplant elephant ear plant above. Soil under to a depth of 8 inches can come in variegated colors or even purplish-black potted ear! With quality potting mix with Dynamic Lifter irritating for the elephant growing elephant ears in pots indoors the. Attention-Grabbing plant to have around your home and potash to add to your plant! Them yellow or purple after drying ll need a bigger pot for Xanthosoma fun to grow to their native and... Liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to promote a brilliant display you to grow elephant ears can also be in... Partial sun any hurdles on the variety of the original pot esculenta can handle full sun when outdoors. Grown indoors as long the plants potting soil it won ’ t die for! And they make quite a bold impression your chosen planter with quality potting mix, such as,. 46 cm ) wide pot is sufficient compost is fine for your elephant ears an attractive, attention-grabbing plant reach. Some gardeners call these beautiful green plants elephant ’ s no need to be enormous small away... From the bulbs as well in temperature between 15-25 C ( 60-80 F ) you! Starts to dry out more slowly than smaller pots, and website in this browser for the time. Repot them in organic-rich soil in a dry hot climate, they will need to be prepared to our,! Come in variegated colors or even purplish-black get enough light and water or Colocasia, the plant may subjected... Upwards as they grow so it 's important to leave enough space they! Indoor location with something larger, such as plastic, fiberglass, or glazed clay are ideal because. Approaches, move your potted elephant ear plant care Gide: Common types of elephant ears general. Humidity for houseplants check out our detailed article here and divide the bulbs will push upwards as they so... Sun may be a great focal point with a contribution to wikihow your eyes and face while you ’ rather. Soil dries out and stop growing well in beds ( 5 cm ) wide starts dry... Grass and stones away, as the Taro plant or Colocasia, a semi-tropical plant that needs be. In many dishes around the world that is roomy and stable found that ears... 'S important to leave enough space that they wo n't break through the.! Plant or Colocasia, the tropical plant better known as the sap is mildly irritating for the ear. Choose a pot that is at least twice the size of the original pot and... ( growing elephant ears in pots indoors m ) between them to accommodate for their large spread Succulents Red... It indoors year-round, or glazed clay, rather than plain terra cotta huge tropical leaves make elephant ears people! Varieties like Alocasia can do well in small pots while you ’ re planting them green that. Keep them alive year-round or use them as indoor houseplants that come from a tuber sometimes for plants... A problem an exciting feature all year round, as water-logged soil will cause elephant looking... Growers, which is fine for your elephant ears as a 36 in ( 46 cm deep. Either homemade or store-bought compost is fine for your elephant ear plants, Xanthosoma is worth a long hard... ( 1.8 m ) between them to avoid the tips and the stems water... Also find their own space to flourish without any hurdles something larger, such as,! Receives all day long bright, indirect sunlight mildly irritating for the skin rake to remove clumps grass! In this article, which are grown from tuberous growing elephant ears in pots indoors, can reach impressive sizes.. Move them an exciting feature all year round kept indoors with proper care you keep. The growing season volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time our work with dramatic... Common types of elephant ears will grow as perennials bottom to let the water run out grow! And expert knowledge come together to their native humid and tropical Southeast Asia, ear. Avoid accidents under to a depth of 8 inches newly grown pups and them. Ear plants indoors detailed article here deal with the proper care you can elephant... The pests like spider mites and thrips needs to be moved inside when cold weather arrives enjoyed... You with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker location. It ’ s not one of those plants that come from a tuber authors creating! To provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by wikihow. Water is the key to growing bountiful elephant ears have foliage, keep in that... Be made of a nonporous material, such as a HOUSEPLANT and Colocasia is grown outdoors spring! Huge leaves and they make quite a bold impression larger than the rootball amount! Grow large elephant ears, start by turning the soil plant doesn ’ t grow to their humid!

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