Gardening Houseplants Types of Houseplants

How to Grow and Care for Elephant Ear Plants

Elephant ear is a common name for a few different plant genera known for their large leaves—perhaps an allusion to the prominent ears that elephants are known for. Common varieties include colocasia, alocasia, and xanthosoma. All of these elephant ear plants are tropical perennials grown for their dramatic impact and lush foliage.

elephant ear plants

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Elephant ears can be grown as houseplants but also as large outdoor plants in warmer weather. Read on to discover the popular types of elephant ear plants, as well as the growing conditions they need to thrive. Soon, you'll know how to plant elephant ears and grow them indoors or outdoors.

Common Name Elephant ears, elephant ear, taro, coco yam
Botanical Name Colocasia, Alocasia, Xanthosoma, Remusatia spp.
Family Araceae
Plant Type Tropical perennial
Mature Size Depends on variety; on average, 3–6 feet tall, with a similar spread, but smaller in colder climates
Sun Exposure Full sun to part shade
Soil Type Moist
Soil pH Acidic (5.5 to 7.0)
Bloom Time Late spring to early fall (rarely flowers)
Flower Color Yellowish-white
Hardiness Zones 8–10 (USDA)
Native Area Asia, Australia, Central America, South America, Africa
Toxicity Toxic to pets and humans

Elephant Ears Care

Elephant ears require moderate tending. Feed it with a fertilizer high in nitrogen, and ensure it stays well-watered in dryer conditions. If you spot browning leaves, removing them is a good idea; your plant will produce new leaves throughout the growing season. Dividing an old plant can rejuvenate it.

In warm growing zones (8-10), the plant can be left in the ground as a perennial. But if you live in a colder zone, bring your elephant ear indoors to overwinter and plant outside the following spring.

If you're in zone 8 and expect frosty conditions, pruning is necessary to keep your plant alive after the winter season. Cut back elephant ears two or three days after the first killing frost, after the leaves turn brown. Prune off the leaves near the base of the plant, leaving about 2 inches above the ground. Make clean, straight cuts—be careful not to rip or tear the foliage.

elephant ear plant in landscaping
​The Spruce / Adrienne Legault 
closeup of elephant ear leaf
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
closeup of elephant ear leaves
​The Spruce / Adrienne Legault 

Light

Elephant ears can be planted in full sun to partial shade, but they prefer growing in a part-shade or dappled sun location. Cultivars with darker leaves need more sun to maintain their color. The more sun you give elephant ears, the more you will have to water them.

Soil

Elephant ears grow best in rich, humusy, moist soil to the point of being wet (but not soggy). This plant is ideal for boggy areas, marshes, swampland, or water gardens.

Water

Keep elephant ear plants consistently moist. They can even survive in 6 inches of standing water, although the plants will thrive most if you keep the soil wet but not soggy. Never allow the soil to dry out thoroughly.

Tip

In some climates—especially if growing in containers—these plants will need water daily or several times per day. Let the top inch of the soil be your guide: if it's dry, add water until it is moist.

Temperature and Humidity

Elephant ears are tropical plants that do best in circumstances that mimic their native habitats. They will be evergreen in USDA zone 10 or slightly warmer, but most types will likely die back to the ground in zones 8 to 9, returning in the spring.

This plant thrives in humidity. In colder zones, the plant will die unless the tubers are dug up and stored for the winter.

Fertilizer

Like many large-leaved tropical plants, elephant ears are heavy feeders. Apply a water-soluble, high-nitrogen fertilizer every two to three weeks.

How to Plant Elephant Ears

Some newer varieties of elephant ears are grown from tissue culture--and may not have developed a tuber by the time you plant it. In these cases, plant the elephant ear much like you would any perennial. However, depending on the genus, elephant ears likely grow from a tuber. You will probably buy this tuber when you order elephant ears from a garden catalog. Plant the tuber when the soil is warm (at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit)—a nod to the plant's tropical origin. You can also start the plant inside in a pot in March, then plant outside once the soil warms.

Grow elephant ears in fertile, loamy soil that is slightly acidic and in partial shade. As a wetland plant, elephant ears like a lot of water. This makes it a good plant for wet areas where gardeners usually have trouble finding suitable plants. To achieve proper soil conditions, you may have to work compost into the ground as preparation prior to planting.

Plant elephant ears about 4 inches deep. If you are planting multiple, space the plants at least 2 feet apart for smaller cultivars and 4 feet apart for larger varieties. These fast-growing plants will achieve their full size within two months.

How to Propagate Elephant Ears

Propagating elephant ears involves the same steps, though you will be using already-present tubers rather than buying them. Access the tubers via division at the end of the growing season in the fall and store them away until the next growing season. If you live in a warm climate, you can replant the tuber in the garden immediately after division.

Here's how to propagate it:

  1. Gather gloves, a sterile knife, a tray or plate, newspaper or butcher's paper, and a paper bag or cardboard box.
  2. At the end of the growing season, dig up the tuber. Wear gloves to protect your skin from the sap.
  3. With a sharp, sterile knife, carefully divide the tuber into clumps, each with at least one growth node. Cut through the tuber. Allow the cut to dry and scab over while sitting on a tray or plate. Keep it dry, at room temperature, and out of direct sun.
  4. After about a week, wrap it in paper and store it in a dry, cool spot (above freezing temperatures) in a box or sturdy paper bag until the following spring after the threat of frost is over. If overwintering the tuber, check it for rot every few weeks. If it blackens or becomes mushy, discard it.
  5. Follow the same planting steps as you would for newly-purchased tubers.

How to Grow Elephant Ears From Seed

Less commonly, elephant ears are grown from seed, but this is not the preferred planting method. Success can be difficult this way, but here is the best method for doing so.

  1. Sprinkle the seeds on top of a seed-starting mix. Gently sprinkle some seed starting mix on top of that—do not fully cover the seeds with the soil mix.
  2. Spray the top of the soil with a misting bottle and keep the mix damp, but not soggy.
  3. Seedlings can appear as soon as three weeks or as late as eight weeks. Keep the tray in a location with indirect but bright light.

Types of Elephant Ears

Colocasia esculenta is the best-known type of elephant ear plant widely grown in the tropics as a food crop known as "taro." It must be peeled and cooked prior to eating, as it contains a compound called calcium oxalate that can irritate the mouth and throat. This species is also an ornamental plant, with plants of the Alocasia genus and Xanthosoma genus as well-known varieties. Here are some more popular varieties of elephant ears:

  • 'Thailand Giant': For shear leaf size, it's hard to beat Colocasia gigantea 'Thailand Giant.' Its leaves grow 4 feet wide by 5 feet long in its native tropical habitat.
  • 'Illustris’: Not all gardeners buy elephant ears based on leaf size: leaf color is also a factor. Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum 'Illustris' has dark green (almost black) matte leaves with bright green veins. The plants spread by underground runners rather than tubers or corms.
  • 'Black Magic’: Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum 'Black Magic' is the best black cultivar. It has dusty purple-black leaves. The leaves fold upwards slightly.
  • 'Blue Hawaii’: The cultivar name of Colocasia esculenta 'Blue Hawaii' is a misnomer, as it isn't blue, but still beautiful. It has medium green leaves, dark purple-black veins, and maroon undersides.
  • 'Lime Zinger’: This is an example of a popular elephant ear in the Xanthosoma genus. Hardy to zone 8, it is valued for its chartreuse leaves.
  • 'Elena': Colocasia esculenta 'Elena' also has chartreuse foliage but it is an improvement on 'Lime Zinger': It has better winter hardiness (zone 7).
  • 'Metalhead': 'Metalhead,' a hybrid, is an example from the Alocasia genus. It is valued for the iridescent sheen of its leaves. The foliage starts out dark purple but matures to green.
  • 'Mojito’: Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito' is the best variegated type of elephant ear. It features green leaves that are irregularly flecked with black.
  • 'Coffee Cups’: Colocasia 'Coffee Cups' is a hybrid. It is grown for its unique leaf shape, as the leaf folds upward to form a cup shape.

Potting and Repotting Elephant Ears

Elephant ears are sometimes grown in large containers as patio plants, and it is essential to use a potting mix with a lot of organic matter that helps holds moisture. Container plants require considerably more watering than in-ground plants—you may even need to water them twice daily in warm weather. To help the soil retain water, use vermiculite. Use the largest pots that are practical to keep in scale with the huge leaves because large-volume containers are easier to keep moist.

Consider using perlite to help aerate the soil and assist with drainage. Use containers with ample drainage holes—these plants like moist soil but, at the same time, good drainage.

Overwintering

In colder climates, you can dig up the tubers before the first frost and keep them in a cool (but not freezing) basement or garage. They are overwintered the same way as canna bulbs and dahlia tubers. After pulling up the rooting structure, lay it out for a week in a room-temperature location with air circulation to dry out the tuber. Airing it out will discourage rot.

Wrap the tuber in paper and place it in a box, and check on it periodically to make sure it's not rotting. If you have more than one, wrap them each separately. Once the threat of frost is over, replant them in the spring.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Fungal Leaf Blight

The most common elephant ear plant disease is fungal leaf blight. It can be treated if caught early. If the plant is infected with this fungus, it can cause tell-tale lesions that may ooze fluid and turn purple or yellowish. It can also cause fuzzy growth on the leaves. If left alone, it can infect the entire plant. To treat it, remove collapsed leaves.

Pythium Rot

Pythium rot is often the result of soil remaining saturated for several days or weeks. It may appear as yellowing in spots or distinct patches on the leaves or stem. If you pull the root structure out of the ground, the root will appear dark and greasy.

A plant with this kind of root rot is not salvageable, and you should pull it out entirely. If your plant was in a container, discard all the infected soil and sterilize the pot.

Spider Mites

Spider mites like this plant for the shade potential and the texture of their leaves. Spider mite damage looks like tiny yellow or brown spots on the leaves. An infestation can lead to leaf drop and stunted growth. Another sign of spider mites is webbing found on the plant. To get rid of spider mites, you can use a steady stream of water from a hose to wash them off. Apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oil as organic methods to keep them away.

How to Get Elephant Ears to Bloom

Elephant ears will only bloom when it reaches maturity (usually by the third growing season) and if it has perfect growing conditions. Most gardeners remove any flowers that form so all the energy can go into producing more attractive leaves. If you leave the flowers on the plant, they will develop into clusters of red, yellow, or orange berries.

The flowers have a sweet-smelling aroma, attractive to bees and other pollinators. Alocasia odora has pale peach blooms that have a delightful, strong fragrance at night. Their flowers have a spathe and spadix with hundreds of tiny flowers similar to a calla lily. Sometimes you'll have trouble getting an indoor plant to bloom.

The best way to get elephant ears grown as a houseplant to bloom is to bring it outdoors in the spring after the threat of frost is gone, fertilize the plant, and place it in a warm, partial-sun location with ample water.

Common Problems With Elephant Ears

Elephant ear plant are easy to grow, fast-growers, and aren't susceptible to many problems. However, since they're water lovers, fungal infections are their biggest threat.

Leaves Start Yellowing

If the leaves turn yellow, it could mean they need more or less sunlight, water, or fertilizer. Alternatively, the plant may be going dormant for the season. Cut back the yellow leaves and wait for them to return next spring.

Drooping Leaves

Elephant ears droop if light, water, or fertilizer levels are off. Large leaves can also droop if they become too heavy, and you can remedy their weightiness with stakes to support the plants. Plants will also decline if temperatures are too cold for them.

Stunted Leaves or Pale Leaves

Often deformed, smaller, or pale leaves signify that your plant needs more nutrients, light, or water. Move your plant, provide more water, or provide fertilizer.

Wilting

Wilting is a sign that the plant is getting too much sun or heat exposure and not enough water. Consider moving your plant to a shadier spot and schedule its watering more frequently.

How to Grow Elephant Ears Indoors

Elephant ears can be grown as a houseplant, as long as you give it a bright spot with indirect light. A perfect place is near a bright, sunny window with southern or western exposure, but not directly on the windowsill. Direct sun will burn the leaves. Keep the soil consistently moist and mist the plant to provide humidity.

Inspect the plant regularly for spider mites and take appropriate action immediately. Such pest problems tend to be worse for indoor plants than for plants grown outdoors.

FAQ
  • Can elephant ear grow indoors?

    Elephant ears can be brought indoors and grown as houseplants as long as they are in a bright spot with indirect light, as direct sun will burn the leaves. Keep the soil consistently moist and mist the plant to provide humidity.

  • Where should I place elephant ear in my house?

    Put the plant near a bright, sunny window (south or west exposure) but not directly in the windowsill.

  • What are alternatives to elephant ear?

    Since elephant ears are invasive in some locations, a good alternative similar to elephant ears is the banana plant. They have a similarly lush, tropical look and are non-toxic.