How to Grow Elephant Ears in the Pacific Northwest
There are at least three species of plant known as Elephant Ears, however the most commonly used and recognized are Colocasia esculenta -- tropical plants of the same species as taro. To grow these plants in the Pacific Northwest requires care and the recognition that the plant is a tropical species. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Elephant Ear corms (often called bulbs)
- Strong sunlight
- Standard gardening tools: spade, small gardening trowel
- Nitrogen fertilizer
- Water source
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- 1 Corm
- 1 large pot, approx 16" minimum
- High nitrogen potting soil
- Fertilizer
Instructions
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Growing Elephant Ears
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Elephant Ear Corms are available through a wide range of sources. You can buy common Elephant Ear corms in the garden department of many large chains stores, as well as in nurseries and garden shops. For specialty varieties with decorative and unusual foliage you can order both online and by mail with many specialized suppliers.
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Choose your site. Elephant ears can deal with a wide range of light exposure, however in the Pacific Northwest consideration should be given to such conditions as natural overcast near the coasts, and strong, clear, dry conditions inland. If there is heavy cloud cover often, your plants should get partial to full sun. If your light levels are often high, choose partial to moderate shade.
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Prepare the soil. Colocasia plants prefer rich, moist, somewhat acid soil and humid air. Making use of natural microclimates that provide these necessities can improve your results. Dig the planting area down at least eight inches, clearing away weeds, grass and stones. If your soil is poor this is a good time to amend it with well aged compost or a natural fertilizer. One gallon of compost per corm or a commercial fertilizer used according to instruction is a good start. The plants will need more fertilizer over the growing season.
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Plant the corms shallowly: Elephant Ears aren't a deep growing corm. Ideally the corm is planted with the slightly pointed tip up, and the rounded base down. It is often difficult to determine which end is which, however, so a common practice is to plant the corms on their sides to ensure that the growing plant doesn't have to work its way from the bottom up. Plant 2-3 inches down, and at least a yard apart. Cover lightly with soil. Remember, this is not a deep growing plant. Corms are seldom planted more than one and a half times as deep as their own size.
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Mulch the plant bed to retain moisture. Water well. Fertilize with compost, fish emulsion, or other fertilizing product at least once a month.
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Winterizing an Elephant Ear to winter over in a northern garden is seldom possible if your climate is colder than USDA zone 7. In a very warm microclimate in a banana belt (unusually warm microclimate) it may be possible if you allow the plant to go dormant, with the leaves yellowing and falling off. Topping the bed with a deep layer of compost and mulch may allow the plant to winter over. However it is more common to dig up the corms of Elephant ears, divide them if desired, dry them in the sun, and hold them in a cool, dark storage container over the winter before replanting in spring, after all danger of frost has passed.
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Alternate technique: If you wish to plant an Elephant Ear in a pot so that it can be brought inside for the winter, choose a large pot with a solid base. Elephant Ears grow very large, with huge leaves, and can toppled a small, light pot easily. Use a pot with a water reservoir if possible: this increases the humidity near the plant and reduces your watering chores for this very water-needy plant. By bringing the plant into the house as a house plant over the winter it is often possible to keep a single plant alive from year to year.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember to feed Elephant Ears often.
Water regularly: it is hard to over-water an Elephant Ear.
If taro root is sold in your local stores, it is interesting to attempt growing a food taro. Success is variable, but the fun is in seeing if you can grow the plant against the odds.
Don't attempt to eat any Elephant Ear. Some are edible, some are edible with very careful preparation, and some species sold as Elephant Ear are poisonous. If you know the exact species and variety, and know how to prepare taro roots or leaves, then go ahead. But if there is any doubt then don't gamble.
