\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Because the soil evaporates moisture more quickly. Shift the plant outside in the spring season. % of people told us that this article helped them. Contain the runners by creating a deep edge between the elephant ears and other plants ins your garden. How Do you Speed up Elephant Ears Growth? Wear gloves when youre trimming the leaves if you have sensitive skin. The plant's leaves reach at least 16 inches long and 1 foot wide. How? Plant elephant ear bulbs at a depth of 5in (13cm); when they go into the ground they should be around 1in (2.5cm) below the soil. (Large, as in whiskey-barrel-sized containers.) wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. They also need rich soil, and you can use a potting mix blended with compost. Too much water causes brown, droopy leaves. Use liquid fertilizer regularly every three to four weeks for best growth. She has more than 25 years of experience in horticulture. Elephant ear has the potential of growing 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide therefore it is important to allow enough . Plant an elephant's ear bulb when the temperature ranges from 60F to 85F. It also grow to a breadth of 5 feet from side to side. Since they are native to tropical regions, elephant ears prefer warm temperatures ranging between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and around 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. ), Why Are My Begonias Dying? Which is also part of the recovery process. But during the night, a temperature of 65F (18C) or higher is ideal. The best time to cut the leaves is early to mid fall. The ideal soil for Alocasia elephant ear plants should be well-draining, fertile, and rich in organic matter. I struggled with it at first too! Divide the elephant ears when they outgrow the plot. Before you place your corm in the hole, mix in some Osmocote into the soil at the bottom of the hole. Thus, avoiding such a problem is preferable by ensuring that your soil is directly watered, rather than pouring from the plants top. As previously stated, if its a hot summer, your watering frequency should be slightly higher than in the winter. deep, blunt end down. Its possible that the plant will not grow properly even after being revived. Elephant ears bloom throughout summer and into fall. Huge leaves and bold vein patterns make elephant's ear easy to spot. Wait until after the first spring thaw to uncover them. It is named after the volcanic cone on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, which makes sense because both the cone and the plant are black and lustrous. Elephant's ear is cold-hardy in USDA zones 1011. To avoid this problem, you must water your elephant ear plant according to the seasons. Fertilize indoor plants with a houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer and cease fertilizing in fall and winter. A liquid houseplant fertilizer with a 20-20-20 formulation is recommended during the growing season for your alocasia. ", southern-facing beds this spring. The elephant ear plant grows best in rich organic soil with good moisture. Fertilizer. However, only keep them partially submerged. The ideal daytime temperature will be around 70F (21C). These plants require specific conditions for optimal growth, including the right type of soil. Variation: You can replant your tubers outdoors immediately if you live in a location with temperatures above 40F (4C) year-round. Keep tubers in a cool place but make sure that temperatures in the room never go below 45 degrees F. An outdoor planted elephant ear plant peaks at 8 feet. I placed them in pots to start with for about a two weeks. Most elephant ears will grow to be at least 4 feet wide, so give them space! Enjoy! It should be low in nitrogen. Planting Elephant Ears. Move them to some dry and cool spots. When caring for elephant ears be aware that the bulbs are damaged by freezing temperatures, so if you live in a region with cold winters, either grow them as annuals, or dig up the bulbs and store them ready for replanting the following year. Thus leading to stunted growth. Elephant ear plants thrive in the sun and grow fast in the summer. % of people told us that this article helped them. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. Spray the top of the soil with a misting bottle and keep the mix damp but not soggy. And the best way to do this is to fill the pot halfway with water and then let it dry. How to Grow Elephant Ear From Seed Sprinkle elephant ear seeds on the top of a seed starting mix. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Did you know you can get premium answers for this article? Both soil and water are excellent environments for elephant ear development, but the soil is far superior. They can also be covered with layers of mulch that can protect them during winters, and help them survive freezing temperatures. Check the bulbs every so often. Put the pup in a pot with well-draining potting mix. Don't oversaturate your soil when you water your elephant ears. This article has been viewed 1,440,303 times. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. There may be baby corms, too, which you can keep or share with friends! Popular indoors and outdoors, this tropical plant makes an eye-catching statement no matter where it is planted. How to Plant and Grow Elephant's Ear Huge leaves and bold vein patterns make elephant's ear easy to spot. This tropical plant is eye-catching in a garden. Drooping leaves signal that the plant needs more water. How Long Does It Take Elephant Ears to Grow from Bulbs? Larger bulbs will need slightly deeper holes. The Alocasias don't like wet roots. The plant enjoys a humidity level above 50 percent. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If youve fallen for these attention-grabbing tropical plants, youll want to be sure about how to plant elephant ear bulbs. Your elephant ear plant can concentrate on growing in the spring and summer rather than feeding dead veins and leaves. Keep children and animals away from the plants. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If left in dry conditions, its leaf edges . Preferably, soils that are rich in organic matter are ideal for elephant ears, says Brody. To lower a soils pH, add some sulphur, gypsum, or organic compost. And it has a growth rate of 3 to 5 feet per year. Choose a location that is sheltered from the wind, if possible. Once the bulbs are dug up, store them in some moist coconut coir or potting soil in a grocery bag, and place them in a dark, cool spot within the home.. In the case of the elephant ear plant, it should be late summer or mid-winter. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If they're visible, scoop out some of the soil to get rid of them. Prevent Elephant Ears from Taking Over Your Garden. Lining your walkway or fence with elephant ear plants has a lovely effect. Repeat this procedure four times to ensure no fertilizer remains in the soil. References. Dig down 2-3 feet (61-91 cm.) Its best to leave the plant out for 3 to 4 weeks so that the roots can rejuvenate and not get stressed. Elephant ears are tropical plants that require a warm, moist environment to thrive, says certified horticulturist Brody Hall, co-founder at The Indoor Nursery (opens in new tab). Although, as long as the plant has adequate water, they will tolerate a wide range of soil types. If it takes longer than 4 hours to empty, you have poor drainage. You want to plant them as early as possible while ensuring there will be no last cold snaps, explains Tom Monson, owner of Monson Lawn & Landscaping (opens in new tab). An excellent plant for a shaded porch or patio, it thrives when planted in large containers. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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