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Winterize elephant ear

I have a question about how to winterize Elephant Ears growing in my yard.  What needs to be done and how.

elephant ear

Elephant ear,  Alocasia are a semi-tropical tuberous bulbs  that are hardy in zone 8-11 and  will die in freezing temepratures.
If you live in a cooler climate zone 7 or lower, there are several methods you can use to winterize your elephant ear plant.

Option 1:
When the foliage starts to die back (turn brown) reduce watering.  If/when a frost blackens the foliage, cut the stem down to 6″, dig up the tuber and remove excess soil. Try not to bruise or cut the tuberous bulb as that can cause infection and rot during storage.   
To “cure” the tubers,  air dry, out of direct sunlight at 60F  for three weeks or dry them in the sun for a couple of days and then remove the excess soil.
Once dry, store the cured bulb in peat moss, vermiculite or sawdust around 40-60 degrees in a dry, ventilated location such as a basement or cellar. During the winter, check the bulb for shrinkage and rot (discolored soft spots). If the bulbs appear shriveled, moisten the medium a bit.  Replant next spring.

Store in container
You can also store the bulb as is in the pot in a heated garage. Insulate/wrap the container for added protection.  After the leaves yellow and die back, cut off the dried foliage and add 2-3″ of mulch on top of the soil.

If you don’t have a heated garage,  a cool, dark place such as a basement will work. Store between 40-60F and water lightly once or every 2 months to keep the soil from totally drying out.

Option 2:
Treat your elephant ear as a houseplant. Give it a southern exposure (high light), high humidity and water enough to keep the soil from drying out. If  it continues to produce leaves, feed it  with a 1/2 dose of liquid fertilizer, otherwise,  just keep it moist. The plant may sulk indoors during the winter but when the weather warms up in spring bring the plant back outdoors slowly re-acclimating it to brighter light exposure.

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57 comments to Winterize elephant ear

  • Breanna

    I live in nc. i have a 3-4 ft tall elephant ear..some leaves are starting to turn brown, but then others are very green..what do i need to do before it starts to frost? do i need to cut the plant or let it die back?

    You can do one of two things 1. Allow the tops to die back from a very light frost 2. Let them go dormant by reducing water and “drying” them down in a container. Store the roots in a cool dry place till spring: Winterize elephant ear

  • Gayle

    Storing caladiums
    I am somewhat new to this gardening thing. Can someone please tell me when is the best time to dig up my caladiums and how to store them? And…when to replant them? Thanks.

    Dig up your caladiums right after the first frost. Shake off excess soil and let them dry off. Mark your bulbs and store in temperatures between 40-50 degrees in a ventilated container with peat moss, sand, or shredded newspaper. Check periodically for any decaying tubers. Replant in the spring after danger of frost has passed. Kris

  • Barry

    I live in North Alabama and we are expecting our first frost within the next two weeks. I have one elephant ear plant with about 12 leaves each about 4 – 6 ft long. I dont plan on digging up the bulb, my question is, what is the best method to protect the bulb over the winter while it is still in the ground?
    Thanks Barry

    Some Alocasia are hardy in zone 9-10. After the frost kills off the top of the plant and the ground starts to freeze, mulch the tuber with 4-6 inches of straw, pine needles etc. This should keep it through the winter.

  • TRICIA

    I LIVE IN PENNA. LAST YEAR I PURCHASED 2 BULBS. I DUG THEM UP TOWARD THE END OF THE SEASON AND REPLANTED THEM THIS YEAR. LAST YEAR THE BULBS LOOKED THE SAME AS WHEN I BOUGHT THEM. THIS YEAR, THE LEAVES WERE SO BIG AND BEAUTIFUL.WHEN I DUG THEM UP,
    I HAD A FEW TUBULAR GROWTHS, AND THE BULBS WERE AT THE END OF THE STALK. I HAD A WHOLE LOT OF ROOTS.
    MY QUESTION IS: WILL THE BULBS AT THE END OF THE STALKS GROW NEXT YEAR?

    Yes, the tubers can be separated and should produce new plants. Since you had such a good growing season, the plant produced additional tubers. Good for you.

  • Pamela

    My question is not for winterizing but for spring planting. I live on Vancouver Island zone 8. I have planted a large Alocasia bulb in a pot and have it inside until it warms up. The top of the bulb was green and now it is turning brown. Is this the norm…help..please

    If the tuber is firm, without soft spots or wrinkled, then it should be fine. Hopefully, you didn’t overwater it as that would indicate that the bulb was starting to rot.

  • Ronald M. Proffitt

    Good morning. I have a 19′ by 18′ solarium. I planted my first Elephant Ear Plant in a container and it seems to be doing well. I notice on the back of all the leaves are these tiny olive color objects about the size of a pen point. They don’t move and when you touch them they smear. Ants seem to be attracted to them. What are they and can I lighty spray the back with an insecticide.
    Thanks

    It sounds as if you have aphids, soft bodied, oval to pear shape insect that sucks on the plant juices. They can cause curling and distorted leaves Ants are attracted to the honeydew they produce. A good water spray will wash them off the plant, do it at least 3 times or if that doesn’t work use insecticidal soap every 3-5 days for two weeks.

  • Cindy

    How do you care for elephant ear plant in pot that is already growing? I have it in semi-shaded area on my deck but leaves turn brown and I cut them back. Should I bring it in and treat as houseplant? I live in Cincinnati, OH
    Thank You

    Alocasia should grow well outdoors because the like warm, humid conditions and partial shade. They also need plenty of water with good drainage and are heavy feeders therefore fertilize them every 2 weeks. Check the watering either too much or too little. Make some watering adjustments and leave it outdoors. You can enjoy it as a houseplant in the winter.

  • Angela

    I dug up and brought in my elephant ear bulb before the first frost. I planted the bulbs in large planters indoors and they began to grow indoors all winter long. However, I began to notice small specks all over the leaves that did not appear to move. I then noticed that my rug became very hard and sticky in spots. These specks also spread to some of my house plants that were in the same room as the elephant ears. Were these aphids and have you ever heard of this happening before? I’ve since replanted my elephants outdoors and they’re doing great. But how do I get rid of these sticky pests on my houseplants? I would greatly appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

    It sounds like you may have scale. They can be difficult to get rid of. For treatment see the scale article

  • Carolene Coleman

    I have several Elephant Ears in pots, they are second year bulbs. One of them has a yellow flower it is a long yellow flower not opened yet, is this normal?

    Not everyone is lucky enough to get it to bloom. Yours is happy and healthy and mature enough to bloom. The flower is yellow with a strong fragrance and looks similar to a large peace lily flower.

  • Edward A. Binch

    In the Fall of 2006, a friend gave me a number of Elephant Ear bulbs. I placed them in an unused(not plugged in) freezer in our basement. I forgot about them until today.(09/29/07) The bulbs are very firm and each has about a one-half inch of growth which is pinkish green in color and also nice and firm. Can I wait to plant these in the Spring of 2008, or is there something else I should do?
    Ed Binch

    I would plant them and keep them as houseplants through the winter, then place them outdoors in the spring.

  • Claudia

    This web site is a wonderful fist full of information for those of us that Grow this huge Creatures in our Yards. I have two of them and they are so cool and the compliments you get from people on how big they are are Great……..
    But now since I found this web site I now know how to maintain them thru out the Winter, So wish me luck on continuing the growth of this huge Creatures…..

  • Tom Reynolds

    I live in Atlanta Ga and we have already had our first frost. The leaves on my Elephant Ears (planted outdoors) are now brown. My question is: Do I cut the leaves and stalks down to the ground? I’ve read in several different places that the bulbs don’t have to be dug up in the region that I live in??
    Any advice would be appreciated!!!
    Tom

    After the frost kills off the top of the plant, cut off the whole stalk. Once the ground starts to freeze, mulch the tuber with 6 -12 inches of straw, pine needles (no leaves)etc. The mulch should protect it through the winter. They are hardy in zone 9-10.

  • Sandra Gilbert

    This past spring, I planted an elephant ear bulb and enjoyed a summer of hugh and beautiful leaves in a space about 2-3 feet square (from one bulb). I have just dug into this grouping after one night of about 32 degreee temps and have not found any bulbs – just thick stems with many curly white roots about 6 inches long coming out of the stems. What happened to my bulb and what should I do with the white stem and roots now?? I have presently stored them in my basement covered with soil and dry leaves. Help!!

    Sometimes elephant ear will form a bulb (tuberlike structure) and other times it will just produce a tuber-like roots with a stem. Save the stems and replant them next year. Keep the roots in peat or light soil and check on it occasionaly to make sure the tubers don’t shrivel up.

  • Bryce Regnier

    I have 6 beautiful elephant ears around my pool in australia and we get 40+ deg Celsius here in summer.
    My plants are well watered and fed they are also protected from full sun getting 90% heat and 25% UV. They have flowered well (about 4 per pot) I would like to know what to do with the flowers? Should I trim the stalks back or leave them to wilt as they are healthy stems and look like the plant is using a lot of energy to keep them solid and upright.

    Cut back the flowers when they are done blooming. Leave part of the stalk, to die back naturally, it will add nutrients to the tuberous bulb. If you leave the flowers, they may get pollinated and start to produce seeds which will take a lot of energy out of the plant.

  • Kelly

    I just checked on my winterized elephant ear bulbs and tubers. The tubers are in good shape but the top of the bulb, not the bulb itself where the roots come out, is shriveled. Should I do something to fix it? How do I tell if the bulbs are viable? Thanks!

    You can get a little shriveling due to lack of moisture. As long as the bulb is firm (that’s where are the nutrients are), it should be ok. The best thing you can do is plant them, give them warm temperatures and water.

  • Michele DiDario

    Hi, after reading some of the comments on the Elephant Ear plant, I wouild like to add. We live in Southern New Jersey and while this was our first time caring for this plant in the winter and having no knowledge other than knowing it would not take our winters, we brought it in and replanted in a larger container. It has doubled in size, kept mainly dry and not sure what part of our room, southerly, northerly, whatever side the plant is on but seriously, it is gigantic. We had given it general plant food along with the other plants we had to bring in maybe once or twice this winter but no special treatment. Now, we have to get another larger planter for the base. Sometimes a little too much care and fuss really doesn’t matter.

    You’re absolutely right! Thanks for the comment.

  • Fletcher

    THX 4 the info. I have 2 more questions……..my nursery still has some giant bulbs 4 sale. Is it too late to plant these this year? I am having a blast w/ the 4 giants I have already springing up around my house for the 1st time. Also…….how do I mulch my bulbs for winterizing? This is the best site. I have 600 caladium bulbs rounding out my back yard.

    HI Fletcher
    Since you live in Ga. and have an extended growing season, you could plant the elephant ear bulbs as they will have enough time to grow leaves. Some varieties don’t start growing until early June. Let your plants grow until a hard frost(25F) blackens the leaves, then cut of the leaves and let the bulb go dormant. You can try to delay dormancy by covering the leaves with a bucket when there’s a freeze but its easier to let Mother nature take its course. When the leaves die back, cover the bulb with 3-4 inches of mulch for the winter. In early spring, when the soil warms up to 55F and you see new growth, remove the mulch.

  • Angi

    Hi,
    I have two bulbs that I planted this summer and my leaves are very big. I live in Wisconsin and the winters here can be very cold and harsh. Can I cover these plants somehow to protect them over the winter? Will they come back next year?
    Thank you in advance for your advice.
    Angi

    Hi Angi
    Elephant ear is a semi-tropical plant and will not survive the cold winters in Wisconsin. After the frost blackens the leaves, dig up the tuber and store in a cool, dark place. See further instructions in above article. Another option is to dig up the plant before frost and keep it as a houseplant over the winter.

  • Lisa

    I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL PLANT ON BOTH SIDES OF MY POND, WHEN DIGGING IT UP IF I DONT GET ALL OF THE ROOT WILL IT HURT IT? I WAS TOLD IN PA ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CUT IT DOWN LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS AND COVER IT WITH MULCH. IS THIS TRUE, OR WILL I HAVE TO DIG IT UP?

    Hi Lisa
    Elephant ear is hardy in zone 9-11 and depending on cultivar some are hardy in zone 8. They would most likely freeze in PA. Once the frost blackens your plant, cut the stem down and dig up as much of the roots as you can, clean off the soil and store in a cool, dark place.

  • Ciairra Stewart

    Hello, i live in Michigan and i was wondering if i can keep my Caladiums in their pot and bring them indoors as a house plant instead of digging them up for the winter.

    Hi Ciairra
    Caladiums can be grown as houseplants but will not be a year round plants. They require a dormant period to regenerate and will die back in the fall through winter. When grown indoors you will have to provide high humidity, bright filtered light and temperatures around 70-80F. To answer your question, you can plant them in pots and store them dry in the winter until they are ready to start growing again in the spring.

  • charlotte hardin

    my elephant ears produced a flower . It looks like there is a bulb inside the flower , if it is a bulb can it be taken out and planted? If so what will it produce?

    Hi Charlotte
    It sounds like a seed pod.

  • John V. Parker

    I live in Central Florida and have never winterized in three years of growth but most of my elephant ears have died down and I find a good deal of rotten bulbs in the large beds. Is this from a lack of seperating or perhaps too much water. The bulbs range from golf ball size to much larger than softballs and they are squeezing each other up and out. I fear I may need to winterize but not necessarily for frost reasons.

    Hi John
    It sounds like they had to much water this season. Perhaps the soil wasn’t draining well. The crowded situation also added to the problem. So I would dig up the bulbs, remove any diseased ones and store the bulbs. Periodically check for soft spots. You might want to replant in a different area or ammend the soil by adding more organic material to improve drainage.

  • Phil Denson

    I have a plant that had a seed pod. I took the seeds and placed them around the base of my elephant ear plant and a dozen seeds sprouted. I transplanted them into pots and then again into the ground. I have new seed pods and am wondering can I germinate from the dried seeds of the pod (no plant)…is there a prefered method? Is the seed pod a flower? Mine are red and I live in southern Florida, thanks!

    Hi Phil
    You can plant the dried seeds the same way you did before without the mother plant. Sprinkle some seeds in separate pots and cover lightly with soil. Keep moist and warm. That is the preferred method. The seed pod is the result of a flower that has been fertilized. Since they are grown from seed and may be from a hybrid plant, the new plants may not all look like the mother plant.

  • David

    I live in North Alabama and we don’t do anything to ours.In fact we run the lawnmower over it the last time we cut the grass for the year. We have been growing it for about 15 years now.

  • Elżbieta Okołowicz

    Moje Uszy słonia zakwitły – hurra!!!!

    Congratulations!

  • Sharon Globig

    I just opened my elephant ear bulbs for repotting for this year’s plants. The bulbs look like figure eights — like they produced another bulb on top of the one I potted up last spring. Both sections are firm. They don’t come apart. Well, I suppose I could force them apart or cut them or break them. My question is . . . with each bulb produce a plant or just the top one?? The root structure is very thick. Appreciate advise. Been garding many years, but I’ve never seen this before.

  • AAron

    Why does the elephant ear info say hardy to zone 8, yet everything i read says to bring it indoors in the winter in zone 8? It is either cold hardy or it isn’t. I live in zone 8 in the Seattle area. It freezes in zone 8. I don’t understand why online nurseries are pushing the alocasia gigantea and calodora as cold hardy if they are not. Something that dies in the winter and “might” grow back is not cold hardy. Mediterean and windmill palms are cold hardy. They don’t die!!!

  • Elizabeth

    I have had my elephant ears for years in north mississippi. I never taken them up for the winter. They come back strong and bigger every year. I just cut them down and mulch over them. My question is, what is the white stuff inside them that I find when I pull the leaves and debris off of them in the spring?

    HI Elizabeth
    I’m not sure what that is. Could it be new growth that is sprouting under the leaves?

  • Kathy

    my elephant ear that I stored over the winter (zone 5) seems soft in spots and has a little bit of mold on it. Will this work itself out when I plant it for spring or if it has started to get soft is it no longer any good.
    Thanks

    Hi Kathy
    Usually, bulbs that have soft spots may have some type of rot. I would scrape off the mold and dust the bulb with a fungicide and then plant it. What have you got to loose? Hopefully, it will recover and grow well.

  • Evelyn Davis

    I, too, like Sharon above, just unwrapped my giant elephant ears and have figure eight looking bulbs. I split them, and planted them in simi-shade here in my garden in Kansas. Also, pulled off a couple of tubers and planted them seperately. Hope I didn’t goof. We’ve enjoyed these giants for several years, and everyone comments on their size. Love having this little piece of the tropics in Ks. Thanks for your response.

    HI Evelyn
    You did everything right. Lucky you! The bulbs have grown well and are reproducing by separating them you will have more plants. Elephant ear does add a nice tropical punch to your landscape.

  • bryan

    i have an elephant ear (up right) that i move from one spot to another same location but about five feet from where it was planted at first,now one of the leaves are turning yellow.can someone tell what could be causing this.did i shock the plant by moving it.

    Hi Bryan
    Summertime is not the ideal time to transplant an Elephant ear-fall is better. Most likely it is in transplant shock and is shedding some of its leaves because the disturbed root system cannot maintain the top growth. I should recover from transplanting in a week or so and send out new healthy leaves. Be sure to keep the plant moist but not wet. Put some mulch around the plant to maintain moisture.

  • Renee

    Can you tell me for sure if elephant ears cn be split to produce more plants? I have been researching this and cannot seem to find a definite answer. My sister is wanting a start from mine and I don’t want to kill my plant when (or if) I try to get her one. If this is possible, can you please tell me the proper way to do it? Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!

    Hi Renee
    Yes, they can be divided. The “round ball tuber” can be sliced into sections with a growing bud in each section. They can also produce offsets (smaller bulbs) at the end of the growing season which can be separated and planted. It’s best to divide in the spring.

    Renee

  • BRYAN

    CAN SOMEONE TELL ME HOW TO STORE MY ELEPHANT EAR BULBS. I ORDER THEM ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND THEY CAME IN THE MAIL TODAY.THEY WERE WRAP IN NEWSPAPER AND THEY ARE THE SIZE OF A SOFTBALL. I DON’T WANT TO PLANT THEM THIS YEAR,SO WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STORE THEM OVER THE WINTER.

    HI Bryan
    Store the bulb in peat moss, vermiculite or sawdust in a dry, ventilated location around 40-50 degrees. Periodically, check the bulb for shrinkage and rot. If they appear shriveled, moisten the medium a bit. Replant next spring.

  • Kathy

    I live in Indiana so I realize that my elephant ears won’t be safe outside during the winter. I have read that you can bring them in as house plants for the winter but I am confused about the dormant stage that I understand that they need to go through. So I am to understand if I plant them in a container as a house plant are they going to go dormant or how does that work? Do I continue to water? Please explain the steps I need to take to care for it as a house plant. I want to continue to plant it again in the spring outdoors. What kind of cycle am I to do. Thanks so much.

    Hi Kathy
    There are two methods of winterizing Elephant ear in colder climates. Because they don’t tolerate freezing temperatures the roots have to be protected from the cold. The first way is to store the tuber dormant-this is when the plant leaves completely die back and all you have is the bulb.
    The second way is to bring the pot indoors and treat it as a houseplant. Give it a southern exposure, high humidity and don’t let the soil dry out. If it continues to produce leaves, fertilize with 1/2 dose of liquid fertilizer. The plant may sulk indoors during the winter but when the weather warms up in spring bring the plant back outdoors.

  • Kathy

    Winter dormancy
    okay, I might be confused about what it means to go dormant. I am going to try to bring my elephant ears in throughout the winter this year instead of digging them up and drying the bulbs. If I do this, what will my elephant ear look like, will it still continue to have leaves or will they all die out? Dormant just means that they will not grow through a growing stage right? Thanks for your help.

    Hi Kathy
    Dormant means that the plant will usually die back have no leaves and not grow. You can force your plant to go into dormancy by keeping the plant at a low temperature (50’s), reduced light and very little watering so that it is not encouraged to grow. During this time it will eventually loose its leaves and rest.
    If you bring it indoors to a sunny window and continue to water, the plant will grow but very slowly as it will not get the same light, temperature and humidity it gets outdoors during the summer.

  • Dennis

    Winterize Elephant ear
    I live in NYC in a small apartment, I grow my elephant ears in large pots at my camping resort in upstate New York. Here’s the problem, the campground closes in early October and I think the plants might still be going strong by then. Can I just cut the still vibrant stems back and proceed with the normal storage methods and bring them back home? There’s no room for these giants in my apartment.

    Hi Dennis
    Although a natural dieback would be better, I think it would be fine if you cut your elephant ears back in October and store them. Chances are that they may get hit by frost and turn brown/black and need to be trimmed anyway.

  • BRYAN

    i also am growing elephant ears in pot and i was wondering how can i winterize them while leaving them in pots . i want to let them go through the dormant stage. i don’t have a basement and my garage is not attached to my house.so i wanted to know if after frost hit them and they start to die back could i the fill pots up with so hardwood much and cover them with a black plastic bag would they be okay.

    Bryan, where do you plan on storing the pot?

  • BRYAN

    i have ears and cannas growing.the ears are growing in pots and in the ground.the last couple of days i have notice them starting to drop.and today they are completly on the ground.;the leaves are not turning colors,they are just falling to the ground.help please!!!!!!!!!!

    Hi Bryan
    What is causing your elephant ears and cannas to drop? Hmmmm. What kind of weather conditions have you had? Is it raining a lot have you watered it too much or not enough water?

  • BRYAN

    I LIVE IN LOUISVILLE,KY THE WEATHER HAS BEEN PRETTY GOOD. 80′S. THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS MY EARS,CANNAS AND CASTOR BEAN PLANTS ALL HAVE FALLEN TO THE GROUND.I DON’T KNOW WHAT’S WRONG.NOT OVER WATERING.THEY JUST WON’T STAND UP ANYMORE.

    Hi Byan
    What type of soil do you have? Clay, sandy? Does it drain well? Have you had heavy rains in the last month? or no rain? Did you fertilize during the summer?

  • BRYAN

    i chopped down my plants today and dug up the bulbs and washed them off.gonna let them dry out and store them for the winter,is there anything special i need to do.and by the way i found out what happen to my plants,the maintenance crew that cuts our grass sprayed them with some kind of chemical which cause them to lose the ability to stand up.will this chemical kill the bulbs.they said they will give me a gift card to pay for my plants.

    Hi Bryan
    Lol, I didn’t think of herbicide damage. You might ask them what chemical they used on the grass. I would chance saving the bulbs and planting them next year. They should be ok. See above article for storage.

  • BRYAN

    more bad news,my bananas are starting to fall and the shoots are breaking off one by one.that was some strong stuff.

    Sorry to hear that. What a shame. Did they spray the soil or was it from chemical drift? Do you have any abnormal growth, are the leaves curling and distorted?

  • BRYAN

    they said it must have been from the chemical drift.some of the plants are still producing leafs,and one of them looks like it was about to flower.didn’t know that ears would produce a flower.if they continue to produce leaves then maybe the bulbs are still good.i talked to the guy and he said the chemical on kills what come in contact with.he also said the name of stuff they sprayed was called 3 way.

  • BRYAN

    premium 3 way herbicide

  • BRYAN

    What time of the year does walmart,lowes and home depot start selling elephant ear and canna bulbs.

    I see them for sale at the stores in the spring.

  • Sandy

    Hi guys….Ok I live in Rock Hill Sc and I brought back some Giant Elephant Ears back from South Florida…I noticed they dont have bulbs…its like roots growing off the bottome of the elephant ear…they also produce and grow off a big root connected to the bigger one…now I know they probably wont survive here during our winters so I took the babies and planted them in pots and also dug one of the Big ones up…it stands about 5 ft or more…i also planted it in a huge pot..My questions is will it grow indoors under grow lights and a regular humidifer…if not how am i supposed to pull them up and winterize them without a bulb??

    Hi Sandy
    Your elephant ear can survive indoors as a houseplant under grow lights or by a high light window. I won’t flourish but will survive until it can go back outside in spring.
    Another way is to store them in pots in a cool, dark place. If you can move the pot into a garage for the winter protection after the foliage dies back from the cold, it should also survive in a dormant stage. See above article on winterize elephant ear.

  • BRYAN

    i have elephant ear bulb the size of a softball and i was letting in sit out to dry,and i notice today that it has soft spots and where the shovel hit it when i was digging it up looks like it’s starting to have mold on it.is there anyway to save this bulb are should i just get rid of it and count it as a loss.

    HI Brian
    Any bruises or cuts on the bulb are openings for disease. You can try to wash or scrape off the mold and dust it with a fungicide then continue to dry the bulb. It may or may not work. Check it closely when in storage.

  • Tammy R.Barnhill

    Dividing offsets
    i have dug up my ears kinda confused cause it has several new babies do i break the babies off and it now becomes it own bulbs ? when do i cut the roots off ?

    Hi Tammy
    You can separate the babies now or leave them intact until next spring then break them up and plant in separate containers. If you break them apart now be sure that they dry well before storing them. Leave the roots until the dry up and then cut them off.

  • Ianina Mendoza

    Store elephant ear
    Can I store my elephant ear bulbs in a shed that is outside in the yard?

    Hi Ianina
    As long as temperatures do not get colder than 50’sF, you can store them in the shed outside. Be sure to insulate them and keep the soil from completely drying out. Elephant ear prefer warmer storage temperatures than other tender bulbs.

  • BRYAN

    what about it being soft.how does that effect the bulb.will a soft bulb still produce. i am running out of time.

    Hi Brian
    If the bulb is soft, then it probably is bad and will eventually rot. If it is soft and wrinkled then it may be dehydrated and needs moisture.

  • DAVID

    Is any part of the elephant ear edible? Seems a shame that so much energy goes to waste!!!

  • Anne

    Thanks so much for all the useful tips for over-wintering the bulbs of this beautiful plant.

  • Jim

    I live in St. Louis, MO where we have a moderate climate but it does freeze in the winter. Should I dig up the elephant ear bulbs and store them?

    Hi Jim
    Yes, you should still dig it up. St. Louis, Mo. is in zone 6, elephant ear is hardy in zone 8-11.

  • Gina Kay

    my elepahnt ears have had a frost on them and the leaves have turned brown. I cut them off but still have a few new leaves coming out. Would it be okay to cut them all off to about 6 inches then dig them up to winterize?

    Hi Gina
    You can either cut all the leaves off, dig it up and let the bulb go dormant or dig it up and replant it as a houseplant letting it continue to grow indoors.

  • HI, I just dug up my elephant ears from their pots and the root growth is huge. The plants have grown extra stocks as well. Can I cut back the white roots and also split the plant into two?

    Hi Judi
    Are you repotting the plants? Are you planning on keeping them indoors for the winter? If so trim back some of the white roots and repot in fresh soil. You can split the plant, if you have 2 plants otherwise wait till spring.

  • Karen

    I planted a few elephant ears last year in my yard, I live in north Georgia. The biggest one kept a few of its leaves after it got cold. Instead of browning, they filled with water and started to turn yellow. When that happened I cut them down. But the large bulb suffered with white soggy stuff and died. The sprouts off of it were fine and rebloomed this year. All of the other bulbs I planted were fine too. I never dug them up.
    I want to prevent this from happening this year. Should I just cut down the leaves when I know it is getting too cold, even if they are still green? Will this hurt the plant?
    Thanks

    Hi Karen
    I wouldn’t cut the green leaves down, they will add nutrients to the bulb. Wait till the frost “blackens” the foliage and then remove it.

  • Peter

    I live in Long Island NY. Is it possible to leave the elephant ears bulbs in the ground , cover them with mulch and let them overwinter in the ground? If yes then how should I prepare them, ie water, cut back stems, etc?
    Thanks for you help

    Hi Peter
    Elephant ear is hardy in zone 8-11, although some are hardy in zone 7. You are in zone 7. I think its worth a try to winterover outdoors. When a hard frost blackens the foliage, cut it off or let it die back naturally. Add 2-4″ of mulch around the plant and in mid-winter a few more inches of mulch . This should keep the bulb insulated during the winter.

  • Victoria

    We live in Raleigh, NC. Three years ago we moved to a new house, and I brought some of my elephant ears bulbs from the old house to the new one. They were small, pitiful little bulbs, about the size of walnuts. I figured what the heck, and I planted them in a long bed on the east side of the new house. The first year, I was amazed to see them all come up and produce a lovely stand of 4+ feet high leaves. I had never dug them up over the winters at the old house, so I just left them in the ground at the new house. This year I have an even larger stand of 6+ feet leaves with enormous bulbs (?) bulging out of the ground. A few of the plants have flowered. I didn’t mulch last winter, although the large bulbous parts of the plants were above ground. I just cut back the leaves after the frost hit them. Can I continue leaving them in the ground, or are they becoming more vulnerable as they push themselves upward? Any suggestions?

    Hi Victoria
    Sounds like they are pretty hardy in your area. You may want to mulch around them to protect the bulbs or dig them up and replant them deeper in the ground which is probably what you will eventually have to do in spring.

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