\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Thanks for the details on growth. There are various types of elephant ear plants such as colocasia and Alocasia. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Mark specializes in floral artistry and indoor plants including floral arrangements, terrace planters, office plantscapes, and living walls. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. As a result, the plants overall growth is hampered. 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. Most prefer full sun and well-drained soil, as well as plenty of water and fertilizer. Published 15 April 23. Elephant ears need high humidity levels for proper growth. Once the tubers produce new growth, provide them with a water-soluble fertilizer blend applied every three to four weeks. As a result, its general germination will be quick. If you don't plant them far enough apart, the elephant ears will steal sunlight and water from each other. It takes a, "Currently it is mid-winter in our northern Utah area, zone 4 - 5. When any bulbs come back smaller every year, that means there's something lacking in their culture. Make sure they are kept dry and cold (45 to 55F). Sun or Shade: Elephant ears will grow in sun or shade. However, if you place an elephant ear plant that requires direct sunlight in a partially shaded area, it wont grow properly. Put a bowl of water and pebbles near your plants, typically in between several house plants that all need humidity. Elephant ear plants, on the other hand, are primarily propagated in water. Too much light can singe the leaf tips as well. Do I have to dig them up every winter, or can I leave the tuber in the ground? The elephant ear plant, like the Dahlia and Canna is easy to grow, and at the end of the growing season can be dug up, stored for the Winter, and replanted the following Spring. How do I prepare elephant ear plants to stay in the ground for winter in zone 10-11? How fast do elephant ears grow? This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Let the corms dry out a bit, then place in a 5-gallon bucket of peat moss, perlite or vermiculite. Water your plant twice a week during the hot summer months. How Long Does It Take Elephant Ears to Grow from Bulbs? . Planting elephant ear bulbs indoors approximately eight weeks prior to the last frost date is also acceptable. The lime-green elephant ear leaves grow around 1.5 ft. (0.5 m) long, and the clumping foliage doesn't grow more than 4 ft. (1.2 m) tall. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. When to plant bulbs is always crucial to success and for elephant ear bulbs, the soil must be warm although they can be started indoors. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Fertilizer. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Fertilizing your elephant ear plant is a great way to keep up with its high nutritional needs especially if youre reviving it after its been severely damaged. 3 LIVE Kalo Eddo Colocasia Esculenta Gabi Elephant Ear Taro Bulbs READY to GROW. If you don't have a paper bag, a mesh bag will work. Mix compost matter or manure into the soil for extra nutrients. 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. Elephant's ear is toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and horses, so keep it away from children and pets. unlocking this expert answer. The size and shape of this plant's leaves are the reason for its name. As a result, its best to keep the room moist. Prolonged direct sunlight can scorch its leaves, marring them for the duration of the season. Elephant ear plants can be grown from seed and perform best in USDA hardiness zones of 8 to 10; they can be overwintered in zone 7 with the help of a thick winter mulch, says Marc Hachadourian, the director of glasshouse horticulture and senior curator of orchids at The New York Botanical Garden. Divide the elephant ears when they outgrow the plot. Keep them out of reach of children or pets. The growth of your elephant ear plant is threatened by sap-sucking insects such as mealybugs and aphids. Performing this procedure would defeat the progress of any disease or pest. These plants require specific conditions for optimal growth, including the right type of soil. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Most elephant ears will grow to be at least 4 feet wide, so give them space! Do Elephant Ears grow better in soil or water? Because of the cold atmosphere, moisture escapes the soil much slower during the winter. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Humidity Elephant ears love humid environments. To decide which end goes down on elephant ear bulbs, take a close look. To lower a soils pH, add some sulphur, gypsum, or organic compost. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Or you can dig up the elephant ear bulbs and store them indoors for replanting the following spring. Pair this tropical plant with other easy-to-grow tropicals for a lush, vibrant garden. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Just be sure the soil is well-draining. So make use of sterilized blades to trim them off your plant to allow new growth to take place. Elephant's ear grows best in part shade or filtered sun. A younger elephant ear plant is also much easier to transplant. Take around 3 to 7 stalks of an Elephant ear plant from a mature plant. You can grow all three genera of elephant ears as annuals, but those hardy to colder temps can be kept through the winter season too. Some darker leaf varieties will tolerate full sun, although most elephant ears will do best in partial shade or filtered sunlight; too much sun can cause the leaves to scorch, while too much shade will result in leggy plants., As for the soil? Dig a hole 2 to 4 times larger than the tuber. Another way to tell which side is up on an elephant ear bulb is to look for a flat surface. A pH from 5.5 to 7.0 is satisfactory. If all else fails but you still love the look of elephant ears, transfer them to pots. 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. Because you can deal with an infestation at any time and restore your elephant ear plant to its former glory with little effort. Elephant ear bulbs can be grown as flower bed ideas, or in containers, and in zones 9 to 11 can be grown as perennials while in zones 3 to 8 theyre typically treated as annuals. Note that a healthy elephant ear tuber will feel firm and heavy, and have a dry exterior. Drooping leaves signal that the plant needs more water. There may be baby corms, too, which you can keep or share with friends! So it should not be interrupted. Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer once per month to help your new elephant ear plant grow. ", while to see a shoot appear. Since they are native to tropical regions, elephant ears prefer warm temperatures ranging between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and around 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night. It should be low in nitrogen. Plan to water your plants each morning after checking the soil with your finger to see if it's dry about 2-3 inches (5.1-7.6 cm) deep. Because the lack of direct sunlight would cause its photosynthetic process to be insufficient for the plants overall growth. Place tubers in a dry container like a cardboard box, and set in a cool room that stays above freezing, like a garage. How? This method is helpful during dormancy (winter) as instead of feeding dead veins and leaves; your elephant ear plant can grow in spring and summer. Your elephant ear plant can concentrate on growing in the spring and summer rather than feeding dead veins and leaves. This is often in April or May. References. Last Updated: October 25, 2022 Plant the tubers in pots and grow them a warm, sunny window. Lifting and storing is a lot of work, though, so many people choose to buy new bulbs every year and plant them in the spring. Choose tubers that dont have any blemishes or rotten areas, as these may indicate that the plant has a disease that can prevent it from successfully propagating. Growing the plant in ponds is quite simple and since the pond ensures a consistent supply of water, you won't need to worry about that either. If youre growing bulbs in containers, water when the top inch of soil feels dry. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Step Two: Drain Out Fertilizers The bottom may also have some root hairs leftover from the previous season. If a plant isnt getting enough sun, youll notice the leaves turning yellow. Choose a clumping variety of elephant ears if you dont want them to spread. Put the pup in a pot with well-draining potting mix. Some elephant ear plants spread along the ground . Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You can also use slow-release blends that slowly break down and release fertilizer over several months. Water the elephant ear plant regularly since little water leads to low growth rates Ensure that the plant is in a place where the temperature ranges between 85 degrees F during the day and 60 degrees F at night If the temperature drops below 60 degrees F, the plant will stop growing. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. A mixture of peat moss and sand makes a good soil for elephant ears. This tropical plant is eye-catching in a garden. In addition to good drainage if potted, a pH level ranges from 5.5 to 7.0. A liquid houseplant fertilizer with a 20-20-20 formulation is recommended during the growing season for your alocasia. Planting Elephant Ears. Elephant's ear bulbs spend about three weeks growing roots before you'll notice any activity above 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. Support wikiHow by The pressure would push fertilizers out of reach of your roots. In the case of the elephant ear plant, it should be late summer or mid-winter. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. It's held court in the garden for years but is making bold statements indoors thanks to some showy leaf varieties sized for growing indoors. Pick the Colocasia variety. Nitrogen helps the plant produce chlorophyll, which gives the leaves that gorgeous green color. Wear gloves when planting or handling your plant if you have sensitive skin. It's striking alongside ponds where its massive leaves create beautiful reflections in the water. This article received 30 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Keep the soil around your plants consistently moist. Yet, when it comes to elephant ear plant . In wet periods, when water remains on the leaves, the plant might develop fungal leaf blight. Elephant ears need a constant supply 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. And the best part about this plant is its quick growth, which makes it a suitable option if you just dont have the time to wait like 5 years before your interiors appeal improves. Its best to water your plant at least twice a month during the winter because the soil retains more water during such a season. They also need rich soil, and you can use a potting mix blended with compost. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Fertilize indoor plants with a houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer and cease fertilizing in fall and winter. As an alternative, they can be started indoors on a sunny windowsill. Now dig 8 to 10 inches of soil in your pond and plant the Elephant year. This article has been viewed 1,440,303 times. If the pot is inside, water it deeply once a week. When it comes to reviving an elephant ear plant that has been overfed, the first step is to remove the excess fertilizers. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. In colder climates, it can be planted in containers that are moved inside in winter. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Grow elephant ears in moderate to warm temperatures higher than 70 degrees F for growth and blooming. Its even good for reviving plants that have been severely damaged. Place a humidifier in the room where you grow your houseplants. Elephant ear plants can generally be planted outside in Zone 9 or higher. ", Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.gardeningchannel.com/when-to-plant-elephant-ear-bulbs/, https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/elephant-ear.html, https://www.epicgardening.com/elephant-ear-plant/. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. To get a jump on the season, elephant ears can be planted indoors, 4 to 6 weeks before you plan to put them outside. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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