How to Grow Elephant Ear Plants

Elephant ears are tropical-looking plants with large leaves, and they come in different varieties and colors. The shape of the plant's leaves resembles an elephant's ear. These plants thrive in heat, sunlight or shade, and can grow from 3- to 6-feet tall.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Buy some tubular-shaped elephant ear bulbs from a garden center. If you've already planted some elephant ears, get the bulbs from the soil. Wait until the plants have gone dormant in the fall before digging up the bulbs. Clean the bulbs and store them in a cool, dark place until you plant them in the spring.

2. Plant the bulbs for the elephant ears in a sunny place. Make sure that the soil is rich and well-drained.

3. Add some compost and organic matter to the soil after planting the bulbs. Add nitrogen-rich fertilizer every month during the spring and summer.

4. Apply mulch around the plants so that they have enough moisture. Keep the plants watered regularly as they grow.

Tips & Warnings

• Elephant ears come in varieties such as Black Magic, Illustris, Ruffles, Colocasia Fallax, Jenningsii, Black Stem and Alocasia.
• Beware of any insects near the elephant ear plants. Use an insecticide or an organic repellent if bugs become a problem.
• Don't plant elephant ears if you have small children or pets. Elephant ears are a part of the Caladium plant family, which can be poisonous. Children and pets can suffer a severe allergic reaction if they ingest the plants.