How To Plant Elephant Ear Bulbs

How To Plant Elephant Ear Bulbs

Growing elephant ears is a lot of work. But it’s so worth it when they bloom. If you’re looking for an exotic plant that can be grown indoors, then look no further than elephant ear bulbs! The beautiful flowers will bring life to any room and last for weeks. This is what makes them such a popular choice among gardeners and homeowners alike.

What are elephant ear bulbs?

Elephant ear bulbs are rhizomes, which are underground stems that store food and water for the plant. Rhizomes are used to propagate plants by growing new plants from them. They can be planted year round in pots or directly in the ground. If you’re planting elephant ears in pots, make sure they have good drainage so that the bulbs don’t rot.

When to plant them?

  • Fall: The fall is the best time for planting elephant ear bulbs. They need the coolness of the winter months to rest and grow roots before spring.
  • Spring: If you plant elephant ear bulbs in the spring, they’ll not have enough time to grow most of their leaves before summer arrives. And if you plant your bulb too early, it may sit in your yard without showing any signs of growth until summer comes along and warms things up again. Plus, by planting them in this season, you run the risk that they will sprout too soon (which means dying during a frost), or even worse yet—not sprouting at all!
  • Summer: These tropical plants don’t do well when planted outdoors during hot weather because they’re built to survive cooler temperatures than those found here in North America/Canada/United States/[key country].
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How to Plant Elephant Ear Bulbs?

Plant elephant ear bulbs in the fall, after the first frost or freeze. This will ensure your plant has enough time to develop roots before winter. Plant elephant ear bulbs in well-drained soil that is filled with organic matter such as compost or peat moss. Plant elephant ear bulbs in full sun, in a pot that is at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Keep potted plants watered until they are established and then water regularly until the ground freezes again during winter months.

Choosing the right potting soil

If you’re growing your elephant ears in containers, you should use a mix of soil and other materials. A good potting soil for this purpose should have the following:

  • A lot of peat moss (or coco coir)
  • A lot of compost
  • Some vermiculite (if you can find it)
  • Some perlite (if you can find it)

If you can’t find any sand or perlite at your local garden center, don’t worry! You won’t need either one to grow healthy elephant ear plants.

How much water do elephant ear plants need?

Elephant ear plants thrive in moist soil, but not soggy soil. The plant should be allowed to dry out between watering, typically once a week or so. When you do water your elephant ear bulbs, the best method is from the bottom up: Water until you see excess water draining out of the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot, then let it sit for another 24 hours before watering again. They should not be watered from above with a sprinkler or hose, as this can cause rot and/or mold issues.

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How often should you water an elephant ear plant?

The amount of water that your elephant ear needs will depend on the size of its bulb, as well as the size of its pot. The larger the pot and bulb, the less often you need to water your plant.

  • Bulbs with a diameter between 4 and 6 inches need watering about once every two weeks.
  • Bulbs with a diameter between 6 and 8 inches need watering about once every one to two weeks.
  • Bulbs with a diameter greater than 8 inches should be watered once every month or so during their dormant period (winter).

How to care for indoor potted elephant ears

  • Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Elephant ears need a lot of water to grow, but they don’t like to stand in water. If your soil gets too wet, it can lead to root rot and kill your plant.
  • Keep the soil temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (16-21 Celsius).
  • Make sure you keep the pH of your elephant ear bulbs between 5 and 6 (acidic). You can test this with a kit from most pet stores or garden centers. If your plants are getting yellow leaves, this may be why—you probably need to add some lime or potash fertilizer to make sure that their pH is on target!

Elephant ear bulbs are a hassle, but they’re worth it!

Elephant ear bulbs are a hassle, but they’re worth it!

Elephant ears (Colocasia Esculenta), also called taro and dasheen, are tropical plants with large leaves that can reach up to 3 feet. They grow well in wet conditions and perform best when planted in full sun or partial shade. Elephant ears can be grown indoors too if you have enough sunlight coming through your windows—they’ll need a lot of room for their large leaves however. Once the plant has matured, you should cut back on watering because the root system will become established. The flowers on these plants are quite striking as well; they usually appear from June through August depending on where you live and how hot it gets during those months. These plants are easy care after they’ve been planted: just water them regularly until they start growing (about 2 weeks).

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If you’re looking for a garden plant that’s as big and beautiful as it is difficult, then elephant ear bulbs are for you. They take time to grow, but once they mature, their leaves can reach up to 4 feet across! One thing that makes these plants so popular among gardeners is how easy they are to care for once they’re established—they don’t require much water or light, making them ideal for indoor spaces. If you want an exotic plant that requires little maintenance, then consider adding elephant ears into your home today!

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