\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. We would suggest homeowners be mindful of selecting this plant especially those living near a green belt area, a nature preserve or waterway. And it has a growth rate of 3 to 5 feet per year. Dig down 2-3 feet (61-91 cm.) To grow elephant ear plants, wait until the spring after the last frost has passed. Remove soil from roots and separate bulbs. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Northern Texas gardeners can plant theirs . Most prefer bright sunlight, unless grown in extremely hot, low humidity climates, where some light shade will be necessary.Elephant ears should be planted slightly deeper than they grow in the pot, or when planting . This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Elephant's ear is cold-hardy in USDA zones 1011. Find out how to plant elephant ear bulbs to enjoy their dramatic foliage in your yard. Elephant ears are actually a group of plants scientifically known as Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. Wait until the stems of the plant die back naturally from frost. Once the temperature drops to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, you may want to bring your plant indoors. Once or twice a month watering would be enough. How? Note: Elephant ear plants are usually from the tropics, so they should receive light rays with an intensity that dances around 400 800 Footcandles. This plant often produces a clump of plants in a smaller space rather than running rampant. 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 Once the bulbs are dug up, store them in some moist coconut coir or potting soil in a grocery bag, and place them in a dark, cool spot within the home.. However, if taken care of properly, elephant ears can survive in the winter, too. You want to plant them as early as possible while ensuring there will be no last cold snaps, explains Tom Monson, owner of Monson Lawn & Landscaping (opens in new tab). Cut off individual leaves as they become damaged during the season using a disinfected blade to prevent disease spread. (Large, as in whiskey-barrel-sized containers.) An excellent plant for a shaded porch or patio, it thrives when planted in large containers. Trim it back to the ground once the foliage has turned brown in warmer regions. Test the soil pH tooelephant ear plants do best in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7. If you don't plant them far enough apart, the elephant ears will steal sunlight and water from each other. If there's still no sprout after 3 weeks, carefully dig up the bulb to inspect it for rot. Thus leading to stunted growth. Mark specializes in floral artistry and indoor plants including floral arrangements, terrace planters, office plantscapes, and living walls. Elephant ear bulbs usually sprout after four weeks of planting, says gardening expert Andrew Gaugler, founder of Best of Machinery (opens in new tab). Elephant's ear plants grow best when their roots aren't disturbed after they begin to grow. The plant can also be grown in a pond with up to 6" of standing . Because the soil may be water retentive but it still needs 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. 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. This will help avoid overcrowding. Research source. As a result, watering your plant when the topsoil is dry is the best approach. Your site helped me identify it and how to properly take care of it. Mark Leahy is a Plant Specialist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Wear gloves when planting or handling your plant if you have sensitive skin. Picture Information. They all have bold foliage and can add a tropical look to any garden. This tropical plant is eye-catching in a garden. Cutting them can result in rot. Contain the runners by creating a deep edge between the elephant ears and other plants ins your garden. Did you know you can get premium answers for this article? The elephant ear plant is a fast-growing tropical plant. These will warm the soil gently and promote not only faster sprouting but also healthy bulbs too. As a result, overwatering your plant can cause root damage. I was given a tuber and I planted it a few weeks ago. Drooping leaves signal that the plant needs more water. and dont forget to water at least once every two weeks. Repeat this procedure four times to ensure no fertilizer remains in the soil. If you cant tell which end is the bottom, lay the bulb on its side in the hole. The bottom may also have some root hairs leftover from the previous season. Add organic compost to lower the pH if necessary, or add garden lime to raise the pH. In wet periods, when water remains on the leaves, the plant might develop fungal leaf blight. This Plant Bulbs item is sold by SkipperArtKC. As a result, it is only fair to ensure that the soil remains moist for an extended period of time. Overwinter elephant's ear plants in containers in cool regions by bringing in the potted plants before the first frost. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Can you grow elephant ear from a cutting? This means the wrong type of exposure to sunlight could cause your elephant ear to underperform in terms of growth rate. 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. Once the tubers are in the ground, water them generously. To dig the bulbs, use a garden fork or spade to carefully dig around the edges of the plant. To grow elephant ear plants, choose a moist organic soil with a pH of 6-7. In this article, we will explore what kind of soil is best for growing Alocasia elephant ear plants. When it gets cold outside, dig up the bulbs to store them and plant them again next spring. It usually takes 3-8 weeks for elephant ears to sprout. The tubers can be placed directly outdoors once the threat of frost or freezing temperatures have ceased in your area. To grow these stunning plants, plant the bulbs in the early spring with the right soil conditions. Huge leaves and bold vein patterns make elephant's ear easy to spot. If you are in a colder climate then you can begin the process inside and transfer the bulbs outside when all . Its even good for reviving plants that have been severely damaged. The leaves contain oxalic acid which is toxic when eaten raw. There is no magic wand or secret formula thatll boost the growth of your elephant ear plant. This article received 30 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. 'Diamond Head' performs best along the edge of a pond or submerged in a water feature. Which is also part of the recovery process. I separated the pup and placed all four in the amended bed. Elephant's ear is native to Southeast Asia, where it enjoys heat and high humidity. Great info. Zones 7-10. More often than not, it is recommended that these plants are kept outside because of just how fast they can grow. Your elephant ear plant can concentrate on growing in the spring and summer rather than feeding dead veins and leaves. The Alocasia Portora is a very distinctive plant that is hard to miss. These plants require specific conditions for optimal growth, including the right type of soil. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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