How big do giant elephant ears get?

It can grow to a massive size, over 9 feet tall. The leaves can reach up to 4 feet wide and around 5 feet long.

People also ask, what is the largest elephant ear plant?

Colocasia gigantea

Similarly, do giant elephant ears multiply? When to Divide Elephant Ears Elephant ears can become huge plants with gigantic leaves. Many spread through underground runners, or stolons, and send up baby plants along the way. Wait until the leaves die back during the cool fall months before lifting the rhizomes.

Also Know, how big do elephant ear plants get?

In tropical conditions, where Elephant Ear plants thrive, the leaves which are heart-shaped, can reach up to 5 feet long (1.5 meters) and 3 feet wide (. 9 meters). The Elephant Ear plant itself can grow up to 8 feet tall (2.4 meters) in a tropical climate but 2-3 feet (.

How do I grow large elephant ears?

Keep the soil moist, not wet, and fertilize regularly, every two to three weeks, with a fertilizer with plenty of nitrogen. The first number on the fertilizer bag is the nitrogen so look for one with a higher first number (10-8-8, for example). Cindy definitely planted her tubers a bit early.

35 Related Question Answers Found

What month do you plant elephant ears?

spring

Can you eat elephant ear plants?

The leaves are edible, but they (and all parts of the plant) contain needle-like crystals of calcium oxalate which are a skin irritant, so they must be cooked first. In cooler climates elephant ears are grown for their large leaves.

How often do you water elephant ears?

(Pot fully submerged.) Containers will need to be watered daily during the summer. Plan on giving plants at least 2-3 inches of water per week. Fertilizing: Elephant ears are heavy eaters, as well as drinkers.

How do you take care of elephant ears in the winter?

Prepare Your Elephant Ears For The Winter

After your first frost, cut the stems to about 6 inches tall.
Put the tubers in a grocery bag, plastic pot or bulb rate and cover with a mix of peat moss and soil.
Add water to the container and store it in a cool, dark place to ensure the tuber stays dormant throughout the winter.

Are elephant ears and taro the same thing?

Both elephant ear and taro are herbaceous perennials with large leaves up to 6 feet in length. The common name was given because of its large, elephant ear-like leaves. Taro can be distinguished from elephant ears by the attachment of the leaf from the petiole.

What do you feed elephant ear plants?

Elephant ears are heavy feeders. Fertilize them with a fertilizer high in nitrogen. These tropical foliage plants are tender but can be overwintered in cold climates. Just dig up the corms and keep them in a cool–but not freezing–basement or garage as you would store canna bulbs, dahlia tubers, etc.

Do elephant ears grow fast?

This plant is a heavy feeder and needs regular fertilizing to put out best and fastest growth. Elephant ears grow well in an organically-rich soil for the best and fastest growth, For the size of the foliage, these are some of the fastest growing plants around.

How do elephant ears reproduce?

Elephant ears reproduce by division of corms, which come from their tubers. Not all cultivars available today produce tubers, but you can easily propagate those that do by cutting the tuber into pieces, each with a corm on it, similar to the eyes of a potato.

Are elephant ear plants poisonous to dogs?

The elephant ear plant is a houseplant with giant pointed leaves that look like elephant ears. This plant may be nice to look at, but it can be toxic to your dog. If your dog eats any part of the elephant ear plant, the first symptom you will see is also the deadliest; a swollen airway leading to inability to breathe.

Are coffee grounds good for elephant ears?

Iron-or lack of iron can cause yellowing. I use coffee grounds around all my plants and they stay green and bloom beautifully.

Do elephant ears plants come back every year?

Most elephant's ears are perennials and will come back every summer in the Lower, Coastal, and Tropical South. Some are perennials in the lower part of the Middle South. They like the soil to be relatively dry in winter.

How poisonous are elephant ear plants?

Toxicity to pets

Elephant ear is a common name for several genera of plants. Chewing or biting into this plant will release these crystals causing tissue penetration and irritation the mouth and GI tract. VERY rarely, swelling of the upper airway occurs making it difficult to breathe.

Are elephant ear plants poisonous to cats?

Elephant Ear, Dumb Cane and Related Plants

These plants, among others, contain oxalic acid crystals. Think of the crystals as microscopic needles: they cause irritation and burning around your cat's mouth. You might see your cat drooling a lot, or pawing at their mouth, and their mouth might be swollen.

Do elephant ears die in the winter?

Elephant ear foliage dies back throughout the year, but winter is a good time to tidy plants. You can cut out dead leaves any time of year.

Can elephant ears take full sun?

Planting Elephant Ear Bulbs

Growing elephant ear plants is easy. Most of these plants prefer rich, moist soil and can be grown in full sun, but they generally prefer partial shade. The tubers can be placed directly outdoors once the threat of frost or freezing temperatures have ceased in your area.

Can you propagate elephant ears in water?

Elephant Ear Plant Propagation in Water

Some species, such as the Colocasia esculenta, or taro, can be potted in shallow water. If you do try elephant ear plant propagation in water, mulching can be helpful. Many types grow in swamps and marshes.

What is indirect sunlight?

Indirect sunlight is sunlight that doesn't shine onto a plant at full strength, but is weakened by something coming between it and the plant. For outdoor plants, indirect sunlight is caused by such things as clouds covering the sun, or leaves from trees above the plant breaking up the full strength of the sunshine.