Elephant ears can be heart-stoppingly beautiful when used in container gardens. Their huge leaves have the kind of dignity and stature that is true of their namesake - elephants. These plants love heat, sunshine and high humidity and moisture. They can be used for water gardens or at the edge of ponds.
Elephant ear plants are grown from tuberous bulbs. Hardy only in zones 8-11, you can still grow them in pots in colder zones. Start them inside in the spring and then in the fall dig up your bulbs, clean them off and store them somewhere cool and dark place.
Make sure to plant these giants in a large heavy pot. In the wind, the leaves can act like a sail and you don't want your plant tipping over, or worse yet, sailing off.
Some cultivars of elephant ears can be used in water gardens, but all are heavy feeders so need serious fertilization during the growing season.
There are some caveats you should know about before planting elephant ear. First of all, if eaten raw, these plants can be fatal. Also, skin contact with the sap of elephant ear can irritate skin and cause rashes. Elephant ear is considered an invasive in certain parts of the country.
For another picture of elephant ears
