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Elephant ear plants are a great addition to outdoor patio planters and pots, but they also make a striking statement in the yard. Elephant ears in pots are a great, low-maintenance way to bring a playful, tropical feel to outdoor spaces. This essay will teach you how to prepare yourself for success and which kinds of elephant ears to cultivate in pots.
The leafy plants known as elephant ears are native to Asia’s tropical regions. They belong to the Araceae family of plants and are commonly known as elephant ears because to their huge, arrow-shaped leaves. They grow from underground bulbs and are surprisingly simple to grow.
Elephant ears thrive in areas with daytime temperatures between 60° and 85°F. Elephant ears are cultivated as summer ornamentals in temperate regions like Pennsylvania, where I live. Smaller kinds are frequently planted indoors as houseplants.
Elephant ears are perennials that contribute permanently to the landscape in the tropics. The methods required to grow elephant ears outside in pots in temperate climates like mine are the main topic of this article.
Colocasia and Alocasia are two plant genera that are sometimes referred to as elephant ears. Although Caladiums are also known as elephant ears in some places, the species and variations of Colocasia and Alocasia are the main subject of this article.
Elephant ear bulbs are a great addition to outdoor patio planters and pots, but they also make a striking statement in the yard. Elephant ears in pots are a great, low-maintenance way to bring a playful, tropical feel to outdoor spaces. This essay will teach you how to prepare yourself for success and which kinds of elephant ears to cultivate in pots.
In a container, this colocasia looks fantastic with coleus. It’s called “Maui Gold” and may be found here.
It might be challenging for some gardeners to distinguish between these two tropical plants that are referred to as elephant ears. Here are a few obvious distinctions between the two.
Alocasia leaves
1. Alocasia leaves have very pronounced veins and are thicker, occasionally upturned. Additionally, many kinds (particularly the smaller Alocasia species that are frequently planted as houseplants) feature variegated veination. Alocasia comes in about 100 species. The enormous leaves can range in length from 8 inches to 3 feet, depending on the species.
The color of the stems and foliage can vary from almost black to burgundy to green. Some people refer to alocasia types with upward-pointing leaves as erect elephant ears.
Colocasia leaves
2. In general, colocasia leaves are thinner than those of alocasias. The leaf veins aren’t as thick, and the tips of the leaves nearly invariably point downward. In warmer areas, especially in the southeastern United States, several Colocasia species have become invasive.
The enormous leaves can reach up to 60 inches in length, depending on the cultivar. Chartreuse, Kelly green, deep burgundy, and a variety of variegations are among the colors of the foliage.
Although they hardly ever flower, the most notable feature of both Alocasias and Colocasias is their intriguing leaves. The spathe-like blossoms are frequently concealed by the foliage.
There are a number of considerations to make when choosing which elephant ear cultivar to grow in pots.
Elephant ears should be planted in pots at a certain time, regardless of the species you decide to grow. They don’t like colder weather, and none of them can withstand frost. Hold off on planting elephant ears for a few more weeks once the risk of frost has passed.
It may freeze out if you plant them too early, or at the very least, they may slack off and need more energy to “catch up” when the weather finally warms.
After you’ve bought your bulbs, it’s time to consider the finest soil for potted elephant ears. You can prepare your own organic potting mix, but you can also use a regular one mixed 50/50 with compost. Add a blend of peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, and leaf compost to the pots.
Additionally, add a shovelful of the neighbor’s well-rotted horse manure, as elephant ears appreciate rich soil that is abundant in organic content. Choose coir fiber or a potting soil made from composted wood chips in place of peat moss if you’re not a fan.
The perfect mixture retains water while draining well. Keep in mind that elephant ears are indigenous to tropical areas with abundant rainfall and damp soil. Although they dislike standing water, many types will grow at a pond’s edge. Verify that your soil mixture can hold dirt without becoming soggy all the time.
Which containers are best for growing elephant ears in pots
Elephant ears can develop to their maximum size in huge pots, which is what we advise. lower pots yield lower growth, which is acceptable if you’re cultivating a more compact species or if your patio or balcony is small.
However, use a large pot and a large variety if you want a lot of va-va-voom. Elephant ears may be grown in pots that can hold 15 to 30 gallons of potting mix, and my plants can grow up to 5 or 6 feet tall.
As usual, ensure that every pot has several drainage holes to allow for the free movement of extra irrigation water. Although we prefer to use glazed ceramic pots, metal, wood, or plastic containers also work well. Terracotta pots dry up extremely rapidly, so stay away from them.
Before planting elephant ear tubers, fill your containers three-quarters of the way with potting mix. Next, ascertain whether elephant ear bulb end is facing up and which is facing down.
A tiny nub that emerges from the bulb is located on the tip of the up end. The shoot mechanism will be based on this. The roots will emerge from the spherical basal root disc on the down end.
With the proper end facing up, place the bulb in the pot and add enough soil mix to cover it so that the small nub is barely one to two inches below the soil’s surface. Elephant ear bulbs may not emerge at all or may take a very long time to do so if they are buried too deeply. They are not like bulbs that bloom in the spring and must be planted deep to survive the winter. In the pot, keep them shallow.
To help you remember where you planted the bulbs, mark each one with a marker and give them plenty of water. Depending on the weather and amount of sun exposure, they may not appear for several weeks. If it takes a while for them to break the soil surface, don’t panic. It will be worthwhile once they do.
If the plant becomes tall and top-heavy, choose a location away from high winds that could topple the pot. Except for gardeners in the northernmost growing zones, full-sun situations should be avoided. Instead, pick a location that gets some shade in the middle of the afternoon but direct sunshine in the morning or evening.
There is a lot of room for both new and old leaves. Give elephant ear plants in pots lots of room to show off. The plants will grow one-sided if the pots are placed against a wall or fence. They will be healthier if they have more space.
You might wish to start your elephant ear plant early by growing the bulbs indoors in pots if you live in a region with long winters. When there is no chance of frost and the soil temperature reaches 65ºF, plant them four to six weeks before moving them outside.
Once elephant ear bulbs are planted, properly water the soil. While it’s important to keep the bulbs moist, soaking or overwatering them might lead to root rot. Waiting until the first inch of topsoil has dried before watering again is a good general rule.
Elephant ear plants proliferate readily and can spread by sending up new plants through underground runners. In warmer climates where the plants are perennials, this is very prevalent. Dig carefully around the baby plant to find the roots, then remove the plant out of the ground and move it to a pot or another location to separate the offspring from the parent plant.
