Elephant Ear Plant Winter Care

Elephant ear plant winter care

Elephant ears will not survive freezing temperatures, so they are winter hardy only in zones 9-11. In colder areas, you can either treat elephant ears as annuals and discard them at the end of the growing season, or you can store the tubers indoors and replant them next year.

Do elephant ears need to be dug up for winter?

The first step for storing elephant ear bulbs is to dig them out of the soil. It is very important to the success of saving elephant ears for the winter that you dig the elephant ear bulbs out of the ground undamaged. Any damage to the elephant ear bulb may result in the bulb rotting over the winter.

Can you leave elephant ears in pots over winter?

Potted Plants Potted elephant ears plants survive winter well when left in the dirt inside their containers. Move the pots to a frost-free spot where they aren't exposed to rain so the soil in the pot remains dry during dormancy.

Will an elephant ear come back after winter?

Most elephant's ears are perennials and will come back every summer in the Lower, Coastal, and Tropical South. Some are perennials in the lower part of the Middle South. They like the soil to be relatively dry in winter.

When should I bring my elephant ears inside?

Because of its tropical origins, the elephant ear tubers will need to be taken inside every winter or brought inside where temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees if you live outside of USDA zones 8-11. In one of those zones, you can safely leave your colocasia plants outside all year.

Do elephant ear plants go dormant indoors?

Tropical plants love humidity, so encourage humidity indoors with a saucer of pebbles and water. Dormancy: Elephant ears may go dormant indoors during Iowa winters. Don't be too alarmed if the leaves turn brown and fall away.

Can you leave elephant ears in the ground year round?

In USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 11, elephant ears can be left outside year-round and are treated as perennials. In colder climates, they are typically treated as annuals and discarded at the end of the growing season.

Do you have to dig up elephant ears every fall?

A. There are a couple of different options for handling elephant ears — depending on where one lives. Dig and store over winter or mulch them and let them ride out the winter as is.

Do you have to dig up elephant ear bulbs every year?

So first let's talk about why you can save elephant ear bulbs for next year. Elephant ear plants grow from tubers (but people call them bulbs…same confusion with dahlias). For the purposes of this post, it's not super important. You're able to save elephant ear plants year after year because they grow from tubers.

What is the lowest temperature an elephant ear plant can tolerate?

Elephant ears are great for adding a tropical feel to your garden. They may be planted in large containers. Elephant ear foliage adds drama to large flower arrangements. Plants cannot tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees.

How do you winterize outdoor potted plants?

First, you can bury the entire pot in the ground and cover it with soil or mulch. The surrounding soil acts as insulation. A second method is to move the pots to an unheated garage, shed, cold frame, or basement. Check the soil moisture periodically, but don't overwater or you may get root rot.

How cold is too cold for elephant ears?

In any USDA zone, elephant ear tubers can be dug up in fall and stored in a cool, dry location where the temperature does not drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

What do you do with elephant ear bulbs in the fall?

It's time to make a decision – leave the bulbs in the ground and treat them as annuals (meaning they won't come back next year) or dig them up and store indoors until next spring.

What does a dormant elephant ear look like?

Dormancy. It's not unusual for elephant ears to die back during the winter months. If the leaves start turning brown and falling off, it's probably not dead—it's just getting ready for its winter slumber. Cut off all the foliage and stop watering until you see new shoots appear in spring.

What to do with potted elephant ears in the winter?

Put the tubers in a grocery bag, plastic pot or bulb rate and cover with a mix of peat moss and soil. Add water to the container and store it in a cool, dark place to ensure the tuber stays dormant throughout the winter. Keep your Elephant Ears moist but not wet.

Do elephant ears grow better in pots or ground?

I recommend growing elephant ears in large pots, where they can reach their full growth potential. Smaller pots equal smaller growth, which is fine if you're growing a more compact variety or you only have a small patio or balcony. But if you want a lot of va-va-voom, opt for a big pot and a big variety.

What happens if you don't dig up elephant ears?

You will know it's the perfect time to dig up elephant ears (aka colocasia) when the weather starts to turn and the leaves on your trees turn brown. If you don't have time to dig up your plants, don't worry. It is okay to wait until the first frost but do not go longer than that, as the tuber will die.

How do you keep elephant ears indoors?

CARE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Environment: A large space and large container for your Elephant Ear plant are ideal.
2. Sunlight: Put near bright sun (south or west window), but not in direct sunlight.
3. Ideal temperatures: 60-80 degrees.
4. Humidity is important: Place plant on a saucer with pebbles and water to create a humid ambiance.

Should I cut off yellow elephant ears?

Pruning Elephant Ears Drooping leaves can be cut off with a sharp blade. Yellowing or brown leaves can be cut off at the stem. Disinfect the blade with each cut to prevent the spread of disease. This will give the plant more energy to put towards new growing leaves.

Where do you cut elephant ear bulbs?

From the main stem because you don't want to go down with your shovel like right here and pierce the

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