You may have seen tall plants with huge leaves that look like elephant ears. These exotic plants, known as elephant ear plants, or Colocasia in Latin, originate from warm climates, but they can be grown almost anywhere. Colocasia esculenta, the most common species, has hundreds of varieties with different colors and patterns, bringing a cheerful tropical beauty to any landscape.
Colocasia esculenta is not only an ornamental plant. In many places around the world, it is grown as a food source. The roots, or corms, have a starchy texture similar to potatoes and can be cooked in much the same way. Colocasia esculenta is also known by many names, including taro, poi, tropical potato, eddo, djamandarrand, and papachina.
Read on to discover ten top tips for growing elephant ears in your home garden. Learn how to care for elephant ear plants and how to cultivate this popular species, even if you live in a colder climate.
Where to Grow Elephant Ears
Successfully growing elephant ears largely depends on planting them in the right spot. Elephant ear plants can be grown as perennials in climate zones 7 and above, while the Pink China variety can be grown in Zone 6. In Zones 1 through 6, elephant ears must be grown annually.
Being tropical by nature, elephant ears thrive in moisture. They grow best near ponds or in swampy areas of the yard where it may be too wet for other plants. The soil must remain consistently moist and should not be allowed to dry out.
Elephant ears grow best in indirect or filtered sunlight. You can plant them in full sun, but the leaf edges may turn brown until they adjust to the brighter light. They also require more water when grown in full sun.
When to Plant Elephant Ears
If you live in a tropical climate or in U.S. Zones 7–9, you can plant elephant ears at any time, although they may grow best when planted in the spring. If you live in a colder climate, spring is the ideal time to plant. Wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting.
How to Plant Elephant Ears
You can plant elephant ear corms or whole plants with the corm attached, depending on how you purchased them or if you are planting corms divided from the previous year (see below). Plant elephant ears deeper than most plants, about 5–7 cm (2–3 inches) below the soil surface, with the pointed end facing downward. The plant will rise slightly as it grows, so you should account for this when determining planting depth.
Space the plants 0.9 to 1.8 meters (3–6 feet) apart so they have room to mature, depending on the variety. Most elephant ear plants reach about 2.4 meters (8 feet) tall, with leaves 0.6 to 1.2 meters (2–4 feet) wide. For example, Giant Jack elephant ear plants require maximum spacing because their leaves are exceptionally large and dramatic.
Caring for Elephant Ear Plants
Elephant ears grow best in soil rich in organic nutrients. It’s ideal to use nitrogen-rich compost. Try to prepare the soil before planting and continue adding necessary nutrients throughout the growing season.
Elephant ears are low-maintenance plants; they simply need regular watering to prevent them from drying out. As new leaves emerge, the older ones will die off. Just trim away the dead leaves to maintain the plant’s appearance and prevent them from falling onto and damaging new leaves as they grow.
If yellow flowers appear, the elephant ear plant is going through its normal annual growth cycle. The plant naturally enters dormancy in the winter and does not require much water during this time.
Dealing with Pests
Although elephant ears are quite hardy, you may still encounter a few pests. Spider mites seem to be attracted to them, but you can usually remove them by spraying the plant with a garden hose. If the mites persist, consult your local garden center for the best and least harmful solution for you and the environment.
If you notice thrips on your elephant ears, it’s a strong sign that you are not providing enough water. Preventing the soil from drying out is key to stopping these pests.
See additional solutions for other common elephant ear problems.
Propagating Elephant Ears
One thing gardeners love about elephant ears is that you can propagate many new plants from a single one. Although you can grow them from seed, dividing the corms at the end of the growing season is far more effective. You’ll need to do this anyway if you live in a cold climate.
If you live in a warm climate where elephant ears grow year-round, simply dig up the plant and separate the corms from the roots, much like you would with other rhizomatous perennials. Then replant the divided corms with proper spacing to grow new plants.
If you are growing elephant ears north of Zone 7 (or Zone 6 for Pink China elephant ears), you can dig up the corms and store them to replant the following spring. This should be done in the fall, after the first frost. The plant will begin producing yellow flowers as it prepares for its natural dormant period.
Use a shovel or garden fork to lift and divide the corms, trimming away excess foliage. Store the corms with soil still attached or in peat moss until spring. Ideally, keep them in a well-ventilated place with temperatures between 2°C and 13°C, such as a closed garage or a sheltered garden shed.
Overwintering Elephant Ears
You can also overwinter elephant ears in pots. If your plant is not already potted (see below), dig it up before the first frost and replant it in a large container. The plant may be heavy due to the soil and pot size, so consider placing the pot on a plant dolly beforehand.
Place the elephant ear indoors in a spot with similar light conditions to where it was outside. Gradually reduce watering, as this is typically the plant’s dormant season and it requires less moisture. Be careful not to overwater during winter, as this can cause the roots to rot and kill the plant. Potted elephant ears can add a lovely touch of greenery indoors and make it feel like summer never ended.
Growing Elephant Ears in Containers
If your yard doesn’t have enough space for elephant ear plants, you can still grow them in containers. Be sure to choose a pot deep enough for the roots and wide enough to provide a stable base. In cold climates, growing elephant ears in pots makes it easier to bring them indoors when winter arrives.
Container-grown elephant ears, with their tall stems and large leaves, are a great choice for creating privacy on balconies and patios. To fill the bottom of the pot, a plant such as asparagus fern is an excellent option because it has similar water requirements.
Landscaping with Elephant Ears
Elephant ears can add wonderful variety to your outdoor landscape. If you have a shady corner in your garden, choose a variety with lighter-colored leaves to brighten the space, such as Mojito, which has neon-green foliage with black speckles. To highlight white flowers, try a variety with dark leaves to create striking contrast.
Caladium, a smaller relative of the elephant ear plant, is the perfect companion plant for ground cover. Caladiums also come in numerous colors and patterns, allowing you to mix and match freely.
Where to Buy Elephant Ears
Many garden centers sell elephant ear corms or whole plants if you live in a warm region. If you can’t find the variety you want locally, you can purchase elephant ears online or from plant catalogs and have them shipped in protective packaging. Be sure to place your order timed to your region’s planting season, after the danger of frost has passed.
Some people love elephant ears so much that they fill entire gardens with different varieties. If elephant ears are unusual in your area, your neighbors may become curious about your plants and want to try growing them too. Once you have a few friends who also grow elephant ears, you can divide and exchange them to build an even larger collection. There’s no limit to what you can do with these giant tropical plants!
You can explore tips and growing methods for other types of plants available here.