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Plant usually stays under three feet tall, with leaves one foot long and six inches wide. A robust grower for a garden with shade or filtered light.
How long do elephant ears take to grow to full size?
In healthy conditions, expect this elephant ear to reach full maturity from a crom in about 14 to 20 weeks.
Do elephant ear plants grow fast?
This plant grows quickly, with the amount of height added each year depending on the variety, but its growth rate also depends on the plant’s receiving the right amount of light, moisture and soil nutrients.
Do elephant ear plants get bigger every year?
In warm, frost-free climates (zones 9-11), elephant ears can be grown outdoors year-round. In cooler areas (zones 3-8) they are usually grown as annuals. When planted in spring, they become big, impressive plants within just a few months, so be sure to give them plenty of room.
Where is the best place to plant elephant ears?
Elephant Ears perform best in sun or part shade. While most can be grown in partial shade, the darker colored varieties are best grown in full sun. Provide a sheltered location to protect the decorative leaves from strong winds.
Do elephant ears come back every year?
Are elephant ear plants perennials? Most are perennials in Zone 9 and warmer, where they will come back each summer. If gardening in cooler zones, you can treat them as annuals or dig up the tubers before the first frost and keep them in a cool, dry place over winter.
Do elephant ears need a lot of water?
Containers will need to be watered daily during the summer. Plan on giving plants at least 2-3 inches of water per week. Fertilizing: Elephant ears are heavy eaters, as well as drinkers. Fertilize monthly with a general fertilizer of choice.
Do elephant ear plants multiply?
Elephant ears can become huge plants with gigantic leaves. Many spread through underground runners, or stolons, and send up baby plants along the way. Since it is not actively growing, the plant will be less stressed than if you divide it while it is in full growth mode.
Do elephant ears bloom flowers?
Although elephant ears are grown primarily as foliage plants, they can bloom – but flowers are not common in the Midwest. The inflorescences are the typical aroid type with a white to yellow or light green spathe surrounding the spadix.
Can you leave elephant ears in the ground over winter?
Hardiness Zones 7-11 In these Hardiness Zones, your Elephant Ears can stay in the ground but should be covered to protect them throughout the winter months. Let the stems of your plants die back naturally with the frost. Cutting them can lead to rot. Uncover the plants after the last spring frost.
What month do elephant ears come back?
The plant dies back to the ground during winter, but generally re-sprouts from the soil in spring, when temperature warms and days become longer.
Should you cut back elephant ears?
In climates with frost, an elephant ear plant dies back each year. Cutting back an elephant ear is easy, but timing and good pruning habits are essential to maintain a healthy, thriving plant for years. Cut back an elephant ear plant two or three days after the first killing frost when the foliage turns brown.
What month do elephant ears bloom?
Elephant ears are generally planted in spring, once all danger of frost has passed, and only grow outdoors year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8b through 11. They can flower from late spring to early fall.
Do elephant ears do well in pots?
These summer-loving plants grow from a bulb that should be planted in the spring. They take well to growing in pots, provided you follow a few guidelines. Larger pots also dry out more slowly than smaller pots, and elephant ears need consistently moist soil.
How often should I water my indoor elephant ear plant?
Indoor elephant ear plants must be watered once daily during the warm summer months as they will drink a lot of water during that period. The soil should be kept moist and not allowed to dry out. The key to ensuring your elephant ears are getting enough water is to keep the soil moist without saturating it.
Why are elephant ears so big?
Thousands of blood vessels make up the animal’s ears. These vessels are thin and close to the skin. They allow the excess body heat to escape the elephant’s body and regulate their body temperature. Another reason why they have big ears is to use their ears as fans to cool off their bodies.
How long will elephant ear bulbs last?
Special Note: Begonia tubers gradually get better each year for about 8 years, and then die. Replace with newly purchased tubers. Lift: Before hard frost as the leaves decline (typically October). Special Note: Storage works well for 2-3 years, after that corms will begin to decline and you will need to buy new corms.
Will elephant ears come back after a freeze?
Will it come back? A: Elephant Ear, Alocasia spp., is extremely hardy and I would be surprised to hear it did not return from the cold. Landscapers use this plant as a back drop for other tropical perennials or around specimen trees. Jul 8, 2017.
How do you look after an indoor elephant ear plant?
Elephant ears like to stay consistently moist, but not soggy. Be especially careful with watering if you use a pot without drainage holes. Always test the soil with your finger first. Humidity is also important to elephant ears, so it’s a good idea to set the pot in a saucer of water elevated by pebbles.
