How do you care for an elephant ear,plant?

Question

DO you have to dig the balb up in the fall? do you firtalize it, and will it grow in the North when I bought it in the South?

Answer 1

These type of tropical plants that are grown in northern climates are considered annuals, so the plant should be cut back and the bulb dug up and stored until spring in a clean, dry well ventilated area to protect against fungal disease.
If you plant an elephant ear in a large Pot (10 gallon or larger) and grow it inside during fall and winter and then move the pot outside in the spring you would never have to dig it up.
I dont live where it snows but we have always had elephant ear plants and kept them inside year round because our summers are way too hot for them and they like the shade. If you keep it inside you will need to periodically wipe the leaves with a clean wet cloth to remove any dust that collects, and fertilize (miracle grow works fine) bi monthly at least.
When grown in a pot, the bulb should be planted shallow and you will see growth in about 3 weeks.

Answer 2

Elephant Ear Plant Care

Answer 3

First of all, there are a whole host of DIFFERENT kinds of the Elephant ear plants with leaves ranging from the size of your hand all the way up to 4 or 5 feet long. Some have solid leaves and some are "varigated" (the leaves look like they have fingers). Elephant ear plants are ACTUALLY related distantly to Philodendrons.

If you bought this in the South then it is in deed a tropical plant and WILL die off when frozen in a harsh Northern winter. If the leaves are large then you really have your work cut out for you if you want to dig up the bulb and its roots!!!!!! The elephant ear I had outside my bedroom window as a kid growing up in Orlando, FL had a root over 5 feet long and was about as big around as a football goal post. Its leaves got to about 3 - 4 feet long. It had been in ONE spot for about 10 years.

Some of the answers given here speak of elephant ear plants growing here in Missouri where the winters CAN get fairly nasty. These are "Hardy" elephant ear plants that I've sometimes seen just left in the ground over the winter time. I don't know how 'they' created an elephant ear plant that can withstand the winters here. LOL!

What you need to do is take a sample (like a leaf or some good quality pictures) of your elephant ear to a local nursery, give them the same info you gave here and find out EXACTLY what __type__ of plant you have. With THAT information you will be able to determine what you need to do for the proper preservation (if possible) and continuing care of your plant.

Answer 4

Elephant Ear Philodendron

Answer 5

The elephant ear is a bulb that is tropical and will not survive very cold winters. So, dig it up and let it dry and keep it in a dark cool place where it won't freeze. If you want to fertilize it do that when you plant it. Use bone meal or bulb food, organic preferably. They are beautiful. Make sure the bulb gets plenty of water and not too hot, some shade is good. The natural feeding is good to do 2-3 times during the season and not before you dig it up. good luck

Answer 6

NO this will not grow in the north or come back next year if thats what you mean. Depending on where you live. This is a tropical plant and so it really is an annual which has to be replanted every year. If you want to save this plant you can by digging it up and putting it in a very large pot. That bulb does put out a large root bundle ( i should know I grew one last year) . Be real careful about digging it up cause if you damage the bulb its a good chance it wont grow back. Try to get as much of the root as you can. Dig a circle about 15 inches in diameter around the plant,. Go down minimum 12 inches. Be sure to do this now as the frost will kill them!

The other choice you have is that you may not want to bother digging it up since its a lot of work. You can let it die and get another one in home depot or I even saw them this year in Walmart. I think they are in the 4-6 dollar range per bulb. Giant bulb that goes down about 6-8 inches in mid spring. Good luck what ever you choose to do!

Answer 7

Plant bulbs in the spring. Find a sunny location, as these plants like hot sun and humidity. Elephant ears prefer a rich, organic soil. They are moisture lovers, but the soil needs to drain well.

Note: Plants an be invasive. You may want to install a border edging 3"-6" deep into the soil around the plants.

Plant bulbs in early spring. Mix in plenty of compost and organic matter. Apply a nitrogen rich fertilizer once a month for optimum growth. Keep soil moist all season long.

Mulch around plants heavily every year to help retain water, and to replenish organic matter.

In the fall, dig up the bulbs for storage. The bulbs will survive overwintering outdoors only in the warmest areas of the country.

Elephant Ears are grown from tuberous bulbs. After the plants have died back in the fall, dig up bulbs. Clean and store them in a cool, dark area until planting the following spring.

In southern areas, they can remain in the ground over winter. Add a heavy layer of mulch to protect the bulbs from freezing.



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Answer 8

Hi.
I live in Hawaii. The plant that you are talking about grows wild here. The "elephant ear" has been known to climb 90-125 foot trees. This plant, in all of its glory can be viewed along the Windward side of Oahu.
There is a Catholic Retreat and Seminary that has been cultivated for many years on the Pali Highway.
When I first saw the elephant ears there, all I could do was gasp.

Right in front of me, there were plants with unimaginable leaf structures growing to the highest heights.

Given what I have said, and what you have read previously, you realise that the plants are tropical in Nature.

I did grow a relation of the plant...Diffenbachia, in my condo overlooking Diamondhead for 7 years.
The transplantation to larger potting was done every three years, with adequate feeding posts.

After 7 years, I had a plant that covered about 7 foot in height, and 5 and one half foot in width coming out of one very large planter bowl, growing in and between my bookshelf.

Spray the leaves, and feed regularly.

The showpiece can be yours with dedication and patience.

Answer 9

Right now I have a baby/small one and it is in a pot with soil and miracle grow food. It seems to be doing fine while with the rest of the many other different plants with it out on my patio deck. I just water it once a week. Now I wanted to plant into the ground but I was told by my mother that I have waited to late to plant in ground because of fall/winter approaching. I live here in Nashville,TN; If I were you just be sure NO weeds are near them and fertilize if need be. AND talk to them and I am sure they will be alright, OH Miracle Grow fertilizer you can't go wrong. Take care

Answer 10

I live in the Northeast, and we have some snow in winter. I plant my bulbs in the Spring when the danger of last freeze is over (mid-April) and I cut off their leaves right before or right after the first slight frost. Then I dig up the bulbs and throw them in a big barrel with vermiculite during the winter and store them in the cellar. I don't give them any other treatment. They will shrink back naturally over the winter and you may lose a few, but more likely you'll gain a few. When the time comes again to plant them, you'll be able to divide some of them. You might want to cover your barrel with a dark, but porous cloth, so they can breathe but won't get sunlight.