Can you overwinter elephant ears indoors?
Elephant ears can be moved indoors and grown as a houseplant during the winter months. To give it the best growing conditions place it in a bright, south-facing window. They also need warm temperatures in the 70s and plenty of water.
Do elephant ears need to be dug up for winter?
Digging up for Winter You will want to dig up elephant ears when the weather starts to get cold and the leaves start to get brown and crunchy. You can wait until after the first frost, but not much longer after that, or the tuber will die. Remove the large leaves, leaving just a small stem 1 to 2 inches long.
Do elephant ears make good house plants?
Upright elephant ears (Alocasia) can be brought indoors and grown as houseplants. Keep the plants in bright, indirect light and keep the soil consistently moist, not wet.
Can elephant ears grow in pots?
Elephant ears do well in containers so long as you provide them with the right sized container, proper soil, and adequate sunlight. Remember, elephant ear plants prefer consistently moist soil to grow to their optimal size. • Colocasia species typically need pots that are at least 18 inches wide and 16 inches deep.
Will elephant ears grow in shade?
SUN OR SHADE: Elephant ears can be planted in sun or shade. If you put them in a hot, sunny location, make sure they get a little shade during the middle of the day. ZONE: Elephant ears are tropical plants. In zones 9-11 they can be grown outdoors year-round.
Will elephant ears grow year round indoors?
INDOOR HOUSEPLANT Upright elephant ears can also be grown indoors as long the plants get enough light and water. Their attractive foliage can be an exciting feature all year round.
Do elephant ears like coffee grounds?
Coffee grounds can help to add much-needed nitrogen to the soil around your elephant ear plant.
Are coffee grounds good for elephant ears?
However, using them on your elephant ears is not advised. Coffee grounds can help to produce more nitrogen in the soil but due to their anti-bacterial agents they can also kill beneficial microbes in the soil leading to a loss of nutrients thus restricting the growth of your plant.
Do elephant ears need lots of water?
Water Considerations Elephant ears are water-loving plants. They need at least moist, organically rich soil, but constantly moist soil is preferable, especially in warm months. You can decrease your watering schedule for the plants in winter, when they don’t need as much water as they do other times of the year.
Do elephant ear plants multiply?
Elephant ears can become huge plants with gigantic leaves. Many spread through underground runners, or stolons, and send up baby plants along the way. Since it is not actively growing, the plant will be less stressed than if you divide it while it is in full growth mode.
How do you care for elephant ears in winter?
Place the elephant ear bulbs in a cardboard box filled with peat moss, bark mulch or sawdust. Store the box in a garage or basement where the temperature will be between 40 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit . Don’t allow the elephant ear bulbs to freeze.
Do elephant ears need fertilizer?
The elephant ear is a heavy feeder and requires a regular fertilizing schedule to thrive. Fertilize the elephant ear plant every month in the spring, summer and early fall using a 20-20-20 water-soluble fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer according to the directions on the fertilizer label.
Is Epsom salt good for elephant ears?
Epsom salt helps ferns and plants similar to ferns, such as elephant ear, have rich, dark foliage. Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of Epsom salt to a gallon (3.8 liters) of water and spray ferns and elephant ears to achieve the look.
Do elephant ears grow in shade?
Elephant ears grow well in partial shade with moist soil and look best when planted in the back of borders, in large containers or around ponds. Plant them outdoors after there’s no more danger of frost, or start them indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date.