However, cooking renders the toxins harmless and many cultures have safely eaten them for years (specifically taro root, or Colocasia esculenta ). They are borne atop sturdy, succulent leaf stalks. Most of these plants prefer rich, moist soil and can be grown in full sun, but they generally prefer partial shade. The ear of an elephant; Plants. Therefore, in areas with harsh, cold winters (like those in northernmost regions), the plants must be dug up and stored indoors. Plant your Elephant Ear tubers 5 in. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Amazon Elephant's Ear Plant Profile (African Mask), How to Take Care of Outdoor Plants in Winter, Tropicanna Canna Offers Fast Growth Rate, Colorful Leaves, 9 Great Foliage Plants for Container Gardens, 3 Ways to Keep Tropical Plants All Winter, Five Houseplants That Will Hurt Your Pets. Elephant Ear Plant Types. One option is to grow them in containers as a complement to smaller plants for water gardens. If growing in pots use a rich, organic potting soil and plant them at the same depth. The tubers can be placed directly outdoors once the threat of frost or freezing temperatures have ceased in your area. During dry spells, you may want to water plants regularly, especially those growing in containers. How to Plant Elephant Ear Tubers: Plant elephant ear bulbs outside after all danger of frost has passed and daytime temperatures remain above 70 degrees.Elephant Ears are tropical plants and cannot tolerate any frost.They only emerge when the soil is warm. It likes to be in a climate similar to its native Southeast Asia: a temperature between 65 and 75 F and above-average humidity is ideal. Plant bulbs with the crown just above the soil line Rich, organic soil will help your elephant ears grow. Like other members of the family, the plant contains an irritant which causes intense discomfort t… Plant taxonomy classifies the most widely known elephant ear plants, or "taro," as Colocasia esculenta.But plants of the Alocasia genus and of the Xanthosoma genus can go by the same common name as well. Plant elephant ears in rich, well drained soil. $8.99 $ 8. ; Select a location in full sun or part sun with a good, rich, moist, organic soil. “Elephant ears” is the common name for a group of tropical perennial plants grown for their large, heart-shaped leaves. Harden off elephant ear plants for about a week prior to placing them outdoors. Elephant ear plants can be used as background plants, ground covers, or edging, especially around ponds or along walkways or patio enclosures. With their huge shield-shaped leaves, they create a nice contrast with another favorite used around water gardens, the horsetail, which pushes up multiple green spear-like shoots from its base. Take advantage of their large attractive foliage and grow them among your other plants to provide texture in a planting bed. Elephant ears belong to two species of plants: Colocasia and Alocasia. Elephant ears are an exciting, affordable way to create privacy in the garden and on the patio. Well, you are at the right place to know the answer. But even if we know the uses of the plant, one should also know which part of the plant could be used. Planting elephant ear bulbs indoors approximately eight weeks prior to the last frost date is also acceptable. Elephant Ear Plant: Colocasia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to southeastern Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Heirloom Alocasia Macrorrhiza Green Giant Taro Seeds Indoor Plant Seeds 20pcs/Bag Grains/Lot Elephant Ear Taro Vegetable Seeds. Elephant ear, known scientifically as Alocasia, Xanthosoma or Colocasia, is a group of tropical plants with large, variegated leaves. There is a slight difference in water requirements within elephant ear types. The spot should offer shelter from the wind, which could rip the plant's enormous leaves in a strong gust. Elephant ear corms grow over time, with the original corm doubling or tripling in size. In USDA plant hardiness zone eight and above, elephant ears can be left outside year-round. Allow the tubers to dry out for about a day or two and then store them in peat moss or shavings. There are a number of uses for elephant ears in the garden. Plants also produce offsets that can be broken off and planted elsewhere. These plants come in a variety of colors and sizes. The elephant ear plant (Colocasia) provides a bold tropical effect in nearly any landscape setting. In climates with frost, an elephant ear plant dies back each year. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! A number of cultivars of elephant ears have made a name for themselves by virtue of the striking colors of their foliage. There are dozens of different types of elephant ear plant, but here are 26 of the most popular varieties. Before planting, improve the soil with compost or topsoil to add nutrients and improve the soil's water-holding capacity. They are herbaceous perennials in warm climates. Depending on when and where they are planted, it may take more than a month before you see any sign of growth. Elephant Ears are large attractive plants that command attention in your outdoor garden or can be used in your indoor space for cleaning your air. It is best to keep your elephant ear plant in an easy to relocate planter or pot. Elephant ears cannot survive winter outdoors. In cold climates, the plants are treated as annuals, providing an infusion of tropical landscaping, albeit short-lived. The care and effort it takes to overwinter elephant ears (Colocasia spp. Although not absolutely necessary, you may also want to apply a slow-release fertilizer to the soil periodically. 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