Care for them properly with frequent watering and fertilizing to watch them flourish. Alocasia Elephant Ears (aka Alocasia Microrrhiza) has very large pure green leaves with distinctive veining, and strong stems. Elephant ears require a lot of water, especially when they’re first planted. By using our site, you agree to our. deep (12 cm). It’s not so much the sun that is the issue with them, though too much can cause browning problems, but the warmth. ", clay soil is bad, and that shade can benefit the plant. I've grow this plant in summer for years in pots, "I never grew elephant ears before. Elephant Ears needs room to grow. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. The plant is traditionally served at Hawaiian luaus and the corms form the basis for poi, a favorite Hawaiian dish. Guess again! If you find the temperature dropping below 50 degrees, that might be a good time to move them indoors or into a greenhouse. The easiest way would be to grow them in pots and bring them into the house once the temperatures dip. This website was very helpful in introducing me to the plant! Dig a 6 in (15 cm) border around the bulbs. I've been growing these for years and gave a few bulbs to my neighbor. Sit them outside or bring them indoors. They are not native to Florida but have become naturalized in some wetland areas in the southern half of the state and are widespread. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. We get extremes in Texas. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Not exactly! What can cause the elephant ear plant to droop or lay down? Mix compost matter or manure into the soil for extra nutrients. For overwintering outside, shredded leaves can help protect the bulb from freezing and rotting. Elephant ear leaves are mildly toxic and irritating to the skin. Undersides are purple. If you want slow or non-runners (gee, I can really relate to those types), the clumping varieties with their attractive vase shape may work better for you. Prevention is best as it is nearly impossible to eliminate the fungus on an infected plant. While my earlier warnings of digestive issues from consuming this plant may put a few readers off their feed, it is true that every part of this plant is edible as long as it’s prepared correctly. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Get it as soon as Thu, Dec 3. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. ELEPHANT EAR CARE. How do I choose? Where I live our last frost is in May, when should I plant the tubers indoors to be able to have a small sprouting plant to transfer outside? This plant often produces a clump of plants in a smaller space rather than running rampant. unlocking this expert answer. In cold climates, the plants are treated as annuals, providing an infusion of … If you live in a colder climate, consider keeping your elephant ear plant indoors, at least to overwinter. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. If they are already potted, just bring them in; they make excellent houseplants, too. Water the bulb thoroughly when you plant it, and wait 1-3 weeks for the plant to sprout. Look for a fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen. They have the thin-but-rounded edges common to large leaves, so you're in no danger of accidentally slicing your hand open. Especially comfortable, since I chose a 36", "This article helped me with winter storage and growing in the winter. Move your plants to containers. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. To lower a soil’s pH, add some sulphur, gypsum, or organic compost. Divide the elephant ears when they outgrow the plot. Check the top five inches or so of soil around the plant for dryness and adjust watering as needed. Thank you, "Success in growing in a pot is letting it hang or be a climber. Nice! However, they have the potential to be invasive in warm climates and wet locations. Standard fungicides can take care of this issue, but try to avoid the problem to begin with by directing water to the roots and not the leaves. in the Dallas area, and my elephant ears thrive here every year, so in answer to the incorrectly answered question, Can you grow elephant ears in clay soil--Yes, you can. ", "Easily understood, but also packed with useful info! Large, robust perennial herb <3m tall. Tip: If you want a unique variety, I suggest going with one of the black elephant ears, like ‘Black Beauty’, also known as the “black magic plant.”. Hiding under plant leaves, these little bugs even spin webs to protect themselves. Especially in winter. It takes a, "Currently it is mid-winter in our northern Utah area, zone 4 - 5. These different but related genera have similar planting requirements, with a few little special quirks of their own. Different shades of green and yellow appear through the leaves when sun light hits the leaves which is an attractive sight. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-1.jpg\/aid19529-v4-728px-Grow-Elephant-Ear-Plants-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":308,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":487,"licensing":"