Colocasia, also known as elephant ears or taro, make spectacular landscaping plants. Their long stalks and large, luxurious leaves add a tropical feel to any garden setting. They also come in a variety of colors, from deep green to purple or black.
Native to Asia, Colocasias are only winter hardy to U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 7B-8B, depending on the variety. If you’re lucky enough to live within these zones, you can enjoy Colocasias outdoors year-round. If cold weather threatens, a layer of mulch is usually enough to protect them.
Planting Elephant Ear Bulbs
Northern gardeners longing for something exotic can still enjoy elephant ears. The secret is to plant them outdoors in the spring and bring them back indoors again come fall. Read on to learn how:
- Select a sunny location in your garden after nighttime temperatures are reliably above 50 degrees and daytime temperatures remain about 70 degrees. Amend the soil with 2 inches of compost or manure. Elephant ears prefer a soil pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Add a little lime to sweeten acidic soil or add sulphur to lower your soil’s pH.
- Dig a hole 2-4 inches larger than the elephant ear bulb. Place the bulb in the hole with the flat end pointing down. Cover the bulb with soil and firm lightly.
- Water the bulb regularly to keep the soil evenly moist. Since colocasias are tropical plants, they’re used to warm, moist conditions and fertile soil. Do not allow the plants to dry out between watering.
- Fertilize your elephant ear plant once a month with a balanced fertilizer.
- Cut back any leaves that turn brown or straggly.
- Reduce watering as temperatures drop in the fall. After the first light frost, trim back the leaves to ½ inch above the bulb. Gently dig up the bulb, which may have produced a cluster of bulbs over the summer. Don’t separate the bulbs and be careful not to nick them, which can promote disease.
- Place the bulbs in a dry, shady place outdoors for a day or two to allow them to dry out completely. Tuck them in a bit of sphagnum moss or a paper bag and store them indoors for the winter in a cool, dark spot. Come spring plant them again and the process starts anew.
Tips for Success
- Read up on the needs of your specific variety. Some colocasias prefer very wet conditions and may even sit in an inch or two of water, such as at the edge of a pond or water feature. Others prefer a bit more shade.
- If you live in a dry, hot area, plant elephant ears where they’ll get more shade. In cool Northern climes, they thrive in full sun.
- Elephant ears range in size from 9 inches to over 9 feet. Make sure you leave plenty of space for your plant to spread out in the garden.
- All parts of the Colocasias are edible when thoroughly cooked. In fact, taro is one of the most common vegetables eaten in the world. But beware: Raw leaves and stems contain calcium oxalate, the same poisonous substance found in rhubarb and Dieffenbachia. Wear gloves and avoid touching your eyes when cutting or handling elephant ear bulbs and plants, and keep them away from children and pets.
Growing Elephant Ear Plants in Pots
If you’d rather not deal with the bulbs, another option is to grow elephant ears as a potted plant. You can keep it indoors year-round, or you can put it outdoors in spring and bring it back indoors in the fall.
As fall approaches, move your potted elephant ear plant to a shady, cool location outdoors. Reduce watering to nudge the plant into dormancy. Cut the leaves 1 to 2 inches above the soil. Bring the elephant ear indoors before the first heavy frost and keep it in a cool, dry location. Water it occasionally, but avoid overwatering it or fertilizing it during the winter. Come spring, start watering it more regularly and apply a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
Want to learn more about planting elephant ear plants?
Growing Elephant Ear from Iowa State University Extension
Elephant Ears from University of Florida Extension
Ive Use To Be So Easy To Grow Everything Including The Elephant Ears And I Also Take Them In The House During The Winter Time In Flower Pots In The My House The Where Are The Elephant Ears From Is There Other cTyoes If Elephant Ears
I have a huge elephant ear bulb given to me for mothers day. I love elephant ears and used to have beautiful ones and did not do anything to them to make them grow so big. I guess it was the soil. Now I have moved and my big bulb seems to be just sitting there in the ground. There is about an inch of growth after a week but has been just sitting there for about 2 weeks. Why is it not growing?
How long does it take for elephant ears to start germination? I potted 3weeks ago. The weather has been up and down 60-70d .. my soil is moist and fertilized!!
Hi there! I realize this is way past sell-date, but maybe someone can make use of my reply.
I was just like you when we planted a med size “bulb” — we were ready to dump it and use the pot for something else… when suddenly it showed some activity, litte tiny green tips poked out. It wasn’t long before several leaves were growing. I had no idea what size plant to expect; ended up with a manageable plant about 3′ diameter; leaves around 8″x12″. It came back on its own for several years, and even produced some “pups” that are also returning with no extra effort but on the small side. Next spring I will fertilize ND hope for larger plants.
Now I have a forgotten-about gigantic bulb I’d like to plant (I think I’m in zone 9/10, Bay Area CA) I think I’ll go ahead and pot it up, with the idea that any top growth will feed the bulb for a better show in spring ’23.
Check pH
I would like too know when i can plant my elephant ear april or may
After Mothers Day is the safest time when all threats of frost are over,I’m in the north east and start mine indoors, hope this helps
How often do I water them in summer when temperatures are above 95degress?
My elephant ears grow easily.They need a shaded area like under a tree.Filted light is better .they need plenty of water.Fish fertilizer is great.
Can I put in a pond with koi fish?
My elephant ears grow easily.They need a shaded area like under a tree.Filted light is better .they need plenty of water.Fish fertilizer is great.
I have elephant ears growing great in a pot can I take the pot and all the plant indoors for the winter and not cut it back leave it to grow . Live in Canada
How do I know if my elephant ear plant died during our freeze ? We’ve had freezes in past years and the plant always came back but I can’t find any green signs yet
I am in Zone 7B and normally do not see mine until late April or Early May. They are on the North side of the house. Hope that helps.
Bob
I’d give it much longer. I think colocasia are notorious for taking their sweet time… they are a tropical plant, of course, so they really need the heat of spring/summer. I’m in CA, and I know not to expect anything g in February. I’d make sure it is watered, though, and put it in the sunniest part of your yard (if in a pot). Otherwise patience is key.
Good Luck!
I’m in bonneterre mo when can I plant Eveleth ant ears plant
I live in zone 6b. When is a good time to plant elephant ears. Thank you
Can i have an elephant ears plant, as an indoor plant as i live in a condo and dont have access to an out door garden?
I live in zone 7B. It’s September 8th. Can I plant my Elephant Ear bulb now?
THIS IS WHY I’M READING THESE REPLIES!!
It’s still August here. I’m thinking I will go ahead and plant my cantaloupe-size bulb, because I’m afraid not having it go through a growth phase of some kind will mean stunted growth next spring. If it even survives.
Did you have good results?