Elephant ears , also known as taro or by their scientific name , Colocasia esculenta , grow natively in swamps and wetlands in tropical expanse of Asia . In the United States , nurseryman often treat elephant ear as annuals by winter the tubers indoors . Hardy in zones 8 through 11 , the industrial plant favor warm or tropical climates and can not stick out insensate winters . Growers value elephant ears for their striking , heart - shaped leaves that resemble the ears of elephant . legion cultivar exists , some raise variegated , over-embellished and almost black foliation , although light to dark green is most vernacular .

Step 1

Plant elephant ears during spring in a location that receives fond shade throughout the twenty-four hours . hold a 3 - inch layer of constituent compost to the planting site and utilize a garden cultivator to integrate into the soil before plant . blank elephant ear genus Tuber 2 to 3 feet apart .

Step 2

Water elephant ears once every five days during the first three months of growth to serve them become established . foreshorten water thereafter to once every 10 days . Increase irrigate to once or twice per week during periods of drouth or extreme heat .

Step 3

provender elephant ear during other spring with a sluggish - release fertilizer to gradually distribute nutrients into the grime throughout the growing season . lend oneself at the manufacturer ’s commend pace , and then urine good for the best result .

Step 4

distribute a 2 - inch layer of mulch over the soil environ elephant spike during spill , just before the first frost of the season , to protect the plants from cold damage . take the mulch during other leap before combat-ready development resumes .

Step 5

Prune by faded and damaged leaves during midsummer . Remove the foliage at its point of origin to abridge the chance of disease and avoid damage the plant . Cut back elephant ear to the undercoat after the first Robert Frost of fall .

Step 6

get the picture up elephant ear tubers before the first killing frost in USDA hardiness zone 1 through 7 . Store them in peat moss at a temperature of around 55 stage Fahrenheit until give . Replant outdoors after all risk of frost has go by . allow for the tubers to stay in the primer coat in zone 8 through 11 and new growth will appear in spring .

Tip

Grow elephant ears in full sun if desire , but water the plant doubly per week to keep up with their eminent moisture requirements . Use a grueling mulch , such as woods Saratoga chip or evergreen plant bough .

Things Needed

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