\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. More often than not, it is recommended that these plants are kept outside because of just how fast they can grow. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. ), Why Are My Begonias Dying? deep, blunt end down. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer once per month to help your new elephant ear plant grow. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Find out how to plant elephant ear bulbs to enjoy their dramatic foliage in your yard. But if the elephant ear plant was potted, it would grow at a lower rate of 1 to 2 feet per year due to limited soil and other nutrients. [1] The ideal daytime temperature will be around 70 F (21 C). Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. Since they are native to tropical regions, elephant ears prefer warm temperatures ranging between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and around 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Before you place your corm in the hole, mix in some Osmocote into the soil at the bottom of the hole. It should be planted with the pointy side up. Their are certain compounds in the leaves that can irritate your hands. $10.49. Elephant ears tend to grow quickly, and they'll. Your plant will lose its foliage in winter if temperatures go below 21C. and dont forget to water at least once every two weeks. You can cut all of the new growth tubers away from the main plant mass or leave some attached if you want the parent plant to grow larger more quickly. Once the weather drops below 45 F (7 C) again, cut the plants back to just above the soil, and dig up the bulbs. Just be sure the soil is well-draining. Test the soil pH tooelephant ear plants do best in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7. The elephant ear plant, like the Dahlia and Canna is easy to grow, and at the end of the growing season can be dug up, stored for the Winter, and replanted the following Spring. They also need rich soil, and you can use a potting mix blended with compost. Other times, however, gardeners may have to look for small to medium-sized nodules that exist on the bottom of the bulb. The Alocasias don't like wet roots. Wait until there's no chance of frost occurring overnight so the plant won't get damaged. Cut the stems well above the tubers to remove dying growth. During this time, the tuber of the plant grows and spreads quickly. Divide the plant by using a sharp shovel to cut the pup from the parent plant, making sure it has roots attached. For example, because the soil evaporates excessively during this season, you can water your elephant ear plant twice a week. Dig a hole so that the top of the bulb is 4 inches deeper than the soil line. Usually it's nutrients. Choose tubers that dont have any blemishes or rotten areas, as these may indicate that the plant has a disease that can prevent it from successfully propagating. 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 . If the pot is inside, water it deeply once a week. This works best in a dry, dark space that stays around 50 degrees. How to Plant and Grow Elephant's Ear Huge leaves and bold vein patterns make elephant's ear easy to spot. Be careful not to cut into or damage the bulb itself. Pile them on top of the plant's location or use chicken wire (or similar) to make a cage to hold them in. Some darker leaf varieties will tolerate full sun, although most elephant ears will do best in partial shade or filtered sunlight; too much sun can cause the leaves to scorch, while too much shade will result in leggy plants., As for the soil? The soil will become too wet for the roots to handle if you maintain the same watering frequency throughout the year, even though the plant will be exposed to various reasons (such as hot summers, cold winters, and in-betweens). The elephant ear varieties thrive in water, and you can grow them in a pond making for a fast-growing plant. This means the wrong type of exposure to sunlight could cause your elephant ear to underperform in terms of growth rate. Elephant ears need high humidity levels for proper growth. A younger elephant ear plant is also much easier to transplant. ", Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.gardeningchannel.com/when-to-plant-elephant-ear-bulbs/, https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/elephant-ear.html, https://www.epicgardening.com/elephant-ear-plant/. Make sure to provide the plant with a large enough pot that offers good drainage. Grow elephant ears in moderate to warm temperatures higher than 70 degrees F for growth and blooming. Keep the soil around your plants consistently moist. Place them in a plastic bag or pot and cover them with a mix of moistened potting soil and peat moss. It is large in stature reaching anywhere from 6 to over 10 feet tall depending on where you grow it. These plants require specific conditions for optimal growth, including the right type of soil. Megan Hughes has a passion for plants that drives her to stay on top of the latest garden advancements and time-tested ways of growing great plants. How long does it take for Elephant Ears to grow full size? The plant enjoys a humidity level above 50 percent. Most prefer full sun and well-drained soil, as well as plenty of water and fertilizer. This general-purpose mix contains 20% each of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to promote healthy foliage growth and strong roots. Elephant ear tubers have a potato-like texture, making them easy to slice through with a sharp knife. Slowly submerge the plant into the pond and let bubbles escape. Mulch the base of the plant to a depth of four to twelve inches to protect it from freezing. Choose a location that is sheltered from the wind, if possible.