Table of Contents
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.
What type of soil do you plant elephant ears in?
Soil: Elephant ears need rich soil that is moist (not saturated), but well-drained. Most don’t like wet feet, though a few are tolerant of wet conditions—like the big-leaved colocasias you might see in water gardens.
Should you soak elephant ear bulbs before planting?
Elephant Ear bulbs are typically planted during the spring season once the threat of frost has passed. Plant the bulb so that it is covered with 1-2″ of soil. Thoroughly soak the area with water once the tubers have been planted. Continue to water regularly throughout the growing season.
How do I plant elephant ears in my garden?
Dig a hole so that the top of the bulb is 4 inches deeper than the soil line. Cover with 4 inches of soil. Tubers may be started inside 6-8 weeks before all danger of frost has passed. Plant the tubers individually in 6 inch pots using a good quality potting soil or seed starting soil.
Is Epsom salt good for elephant ears?
Epsom salt helps ferns and plants similar to ferns, such as elephant ear, have rich, dark foliage. Add 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt to a gallon of water and spray ferns and elephant ears to achieve the look.
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.
Can you plant elephant ears in potting soil?
If using potting soil, choose one that’s rich in organic material and mixed with peat and perlite to create an artificial wetland or bog that will hold moisture. If you’re mixing your own soil, use well drained, crumbly loam with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Avoid rocky soils, which can deform the corms.
Can elephant ears take full sun?
Elephant ears are tropical plants and the hotter and more humid the weather, the faster they grow. Colocasias display their leaves with tip of the heart pointing down. They prefer full sun and consistent moisture.
Do elephant ears need full sun?
Sun or Shade: Elephant ears can be planted in sun or shade. If you put them in a hot, sunny location, make sure they get a little shade during the middle of the day. Zone: Elephant ears are tropical plants. In zones 9-11 they can be grown outdoors year-round.
Which side of elephant ear bulb goes down?
The bumpy side of the Elephant Ear bulb is the bottom and should be planted down. are, the bumpy side with some possible hairs is slightly flatter than the smooth top side. This is the bottom. Like all bulbs, an Elephant Ear will know which way to grow regardless of how it is planted.
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.
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 have 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.
How fast do elephant ears grow?
In healthy conditions, expect this elephant ear to reach full maturity from a crom in about 14 to 20 weeks.
Do elephant ears have roots?
The Root of the Matter Elephant ear grows from tubers, which send out roots and foliage when planted in a garden. You can leave the tubers in the ground year-round if you live in the plant’s hardiness zones. If you live in a colder climate, you can overwinter the dormant tubers indoors and replant them each spring.
Is Miracle Grow good for elephant ears?
Fertilize your mammoth elephant ear plant once a month during its growing season to promote vigorous growth. Apply a water-soluble, quick-release fertilizer like Bloom Plus, Miracle-Gro or Grow More according to package directions.
Is coffee good for elephant ear plants?
However, using them on your elephant ears is not advised. Coffee grounds can help to produce more nitrogen in the soil but due to their anti-bacterial agents they can also kill beneficial microbes in the soil leading to a loss of nutrients thus restricting the growth of your plant.
Do elephant ears need a lot of water?
Water Considerations Elephant ears are water-loving plants. They need at least moist, organically rich soil, but constantly moist soil is preferable, especially in warm months. You can decrease your watering schedule for the plants in winter, when they don’t need as much water as they do other times of the year.
