Elephant Ear Plant

They love a hot, sunny area, with high humidity, but will tolerate some shade in warm, humid areas.

Remember that their natural habitat is tropical, so cool shady areas will not be beneficial to the plants overall growth.

Growth may not grow as large in cooler climates, but the plant will still be a beautiful addition to the landscape.

Depending on your climate, they may or may not need to be dug up at the end of their growing season.

Growing Elephant Ear Plants

The plants start as tuberous bulbs. Purchase healthy bulbs from a reputable dealer. They should be heavy for their size. Purchase bulbs that will fit horizontally in a pot.

Plant the bulbs horizontally in a rich, organic soil in early spring. Pick a sunny area with good drainage and cover the tuber completely with compost.

In colder climates, it's best to start them in pots and transplant when they are a few inches tall and first leaf appears. Water just enough to keep moist.

Prepare your garden beds by adding compost to provide a rich soil. Once planted in the ground, a border edging will keep them from spreading into your garden bed. Dig the edging at least six inches into the ground to block the roots.

Water daily outside in hotter temperatures and apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture. Fertilize monthly with a nitrogen-rich mix and don't let the soil dry out.

In areas that remain warm over the winter, the bulbs can be left in the ground. Otherwise, dig them up in fall, clean them off and let them dry, then store in a cool, dark place until spring.

If left in the ground over winter, cover with a thick layer of mulch to protect from cold temperatures and retain moisture. Each year, add a heavy layer of new mulch to build up the soil.

The plant is almost disease free. Some burrowing insects and aphids may be a problem, but don't seem to cause severe infestation problems.

Hand picking or organic insecticides will eradicate most problems. The bigger problem for the elephant ear plant is damage from hail, which can destroy the leaves in a matter of seconds.

Regardless of your climate, with the proper placement and care, elephant ear plants add a tropical feel to the landscape and are dramatic in groupings or as a focal planting.