Elephant Ears are best know for their prominent , heart - shaped folio . Low maintenance and easy maintenance make these plants popular . But you might be wonder , are Elephant Ears annuals or perennials ? Great question ! We have exhaustively explore whether Elephant Ears are annuals or perennials .

Elephant Ears are considered tropic perennial . However , in colder climates , you need to bring them indoors to replant them in the spring . Otherwise , you would handle them as annuals because they will die from freezing temperatures .

This might result to other questions like , should I fertilize Elephant Ears ? Or , what kind of soil do Elephant ear like ? And even , do I take to prune Elephant Ears ? Keep translate for the answers to these questions and more !

Elephant ears plants in the garden, Are Elephant Ears Annuals Or Perennials?

Are Elephant Ears Annuals Or Perennials?

Elephant Ears aretropicalperennials that hump warm weather condition and sunny locations . In cold clime , they are either care for as annuals or dug up and work indoors .

So the real interrogative is , where do you live , and what is the conditions like ?

As a good rule of pollex , if temperature get below 40 degree , you want to dig them up before the first frost . With proper indoor forethought , you could replant them in the spring .

Elephant ear

permit ’s discuss how to care for Elephant Ears indoors , along with some tips and tricks below :

How Do I Bring Elephant Ears Indoors?

As established , any temperaturebelow40 degrees Fahrenheit can get damage to your Elephant Ears . This usually is in early fall . yield aid to your local weather condition and contrive accordingly .

Here are some canonic steps on how to bring your Elephant Ears indoors .

Voila ! This is well-to-do as 1 - 2 - 3 to see to it your Elephant Ear subsist the colder winters .

Elephants ear plant on table in front of white wall

Can Elephant Ears Be Houseplants?

There are two different character of Elephant Ears called Colocasia andAlocasia , Technically , both metal money can be houseplant , but Alocasia is more unwashed . Colocasia turn great . Therefore , it is best kept outside .

If you do n’t want to store your Elephant Ears in paper during the winter , you could love them as houseplants !

Where Should I Place An Elephant Ear In My House?

What Are Elephant Ear USDA Hardiness Zones?

USDAHardinessZones 8 through 11 are where Elephant Ears boom well . These zona are in the lower region of the United States .

From sunny California to raging and humid Texas , Elephant Ears do exceptionally well .

How Do I Care For Elephant Ears?

Elephant Ears require TLC , just like every other plant . Let ’s review some soil , urine , and Dominicus requisite . Let ’s show our Elephant Ears some love .

Soil

Elephant Ears enjoy fertile , loamy , and slightly acidic soil . tally 50 % compost to your ground to keep your plant sizable . The great thing about compost is you’re able to make your own for free !

Water

Elephant Ears are tropic plant and therefore prefer dampish soil . check that they are well irrigate , and do n’t let them dry out . Generally , they should need about2 - 3inches of body of water per hebdomad .

Sun

Elephant ear can be grow in full sun to fond shade . However , they be given towards preferring partial tad . So plant them somewhere with dappled sunlight .

How Big Do Elephant Ears Get?

Elephant Ears are naturally big plant . They turn from2 - 9feet tall and 2 to 9 feet wide . This will calculate on the character and metal money of Elephant Ears you have .

Temperature is also a divisor as the Elephant Ears will be smaller in cold region .

How Do I Know Which Type Of Elephant Ear I Have?

Colocasia andAlocasiaare the two types of Elephant Ears . Each plant needs to receive the right variety of upkeep to mature . Usually , you may tell them apart by their color , size of it , and other gene .

Alocasia

Alocasia is sometimes modest than Colocasia , but this is not a hard and fast rule . They have vertical and spanking leaf that are pliable and shiny .

You will see vein lead through the leaves , giving them a textured or costate feel . This variety does best in zones 10 and 11 , where it ’s the hottest .

Colocasia

Colocasia leaves tend to point downwards compare to Alocasia leave-taking . or else of glistening leaves like Alocasia , Colocasia has lusterlessness leaves . This assortment is hardy in zones 8 through 10 .

Should I Fertilize Elephant Ears?

dead ! Elephant ear can take a hefty acid of fertiliser . It is recommended that you fertilize in thespring , summer , and fall . Stop fertilizing in the wintertime while they are dormant .

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Are Elephant Ears Toxic?

Unfortunately , Elephant Ears are toxic to humans , big cat , and dog . If you have an Elephant Ear houseplant , it is best to put it up richly to avoid it being messed with .

If your Elephant Ears are grow out of doors , ensure your animals and piddling ones do n’t have approach to it .

Are Elephant Ears Invasive?

Elephant Ears are not onlyinvasivebut also aggressive grower . Give them plentifulness of space between other plants to prevent smothering . unlike ways to carry your Elephant Ears include using rocks as a border .

Can You Propagate Elephant Ears?

Propagating Elephant Ears is promiscuous than you guess ! Although they ca n’t be pass around from cuttings , you may split up and implant the genus Tuber . Be sure to separate them until outpouring to prevent plant stress .

Should I Prune Elephant Ears?

Regularly pruning does wonders for many plants . This is no exception for Elephant Ears . Using a keen pruning shear , cut the stem when you notice drooping .

If you notice any yellowing of the leave , bring down them to prevent diseases .

Pro Tip : Never forget to wash your shears in whitener afterward to prevent spreading diseases to other plants .

A large elephant ear plant growing in a flower garden

fit out these shear on Amazon .

Do Elephant Ears Suffer From Diseases Or Pests?

Fungal diseases , like leaf blight , are the most common disease problem amongst Elephant Ears . You in all likelihood have leafage blight if you notice any seeping fluid , leave alone that turn royal or yellow , or fuzzy growth .

Early detection is critical . Once you discover sign of disease , remove and discard any infected leaves . Then , spray the plant life with a copper - based fungicide . This should top the problem right up !

If the integral plant has been infect , then it is good to throw it off and start fresh .

Fresh elephant ear leaf

Wrapping Up

In a nutshell , Elephant Ears are annuals in colder climate , unless you bring them indoors in the wintertime , and perennial in the hottest region .

We have acquire how to grow , propagate , prune , and manage for your Elephant Ear . Now you are ready to be a plant mom and adopt a baby Elephant Ear !

Made it to the end ? check over out these helpful and related to article :

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