We have so many elephant ears that, even after giving some of them away this spring, I’m running out of places to put them. Most of these stay in the ground year-round, but we do dig up the largest, oldest bulbs in late fall in case we have a wet winter and they rot in the ground. I haven’t had any luck saving the black runners by digging them up, this year I’m leaving them in the ground and will hope that they come back next year. I am going to try to save the potted black one though by moving the pot indoors. Click photos to view larger.
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Elephant ears in center flower bed near creek.
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Colocasia esculenta ‘Illustris’ in a container
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This is one that was left in the ground last year, it’s huge now!
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Elephant ears in creek bed, small pieces of bulbs planted in edge of woods have made plants this year, elephant ears in stump bed with coleus
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‘Illustris’ in container, green elephant ears behind Black Runner elephant ears in creek bed, near patio
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Wow, those are some hardy elephant ears to be able to overwinter in your zone! You’ve got to be 7. But I guess in the Southern Mtns you don’t get as cold as the northern mountains and you get a whole lot more rain. I’ve toyed with the idea of added them but have not yet acted on my ideas! LOL
Jim, yes I’m in zone 7 here, and we definitely don’t get as cold as the high mountains — and we sure have had plenty of rain for the past year! Last winter, we had flooding over and over. I was worried that some of the e.ears we left in the ground would rot, but they didn’t. We have them coming up all over the place! You should definitely get some, they make nice big accent plants. I like the black ones a lot, not necessarily the runners but the black like the one I have in the container.
I grow elephant ears in large pots every year in our garden. Love the darker colour as well. Our zone in Toronto is 5 and the plants need to be removed and overwinter in our garage.
The first time elephant ears have produced flowers, very interesting.
Hi Gisela,
I always grow a couple in pots, especially the black ones. Mine bloomed this year also, you’re right they are interesting. Thanks for visiting.
Hu, your elephant ears are gorgeous! I am have had some for 10+ years in my Creek that come back every year. I live in alabama, where do you live?
I had some break loose last year and they broke loose and floated down the creek a little ways. Yesterday I reclaimed them and dug them up. Phew it was a mess! However, I’ve never dug any up before and coming out on the bottom, with the roots, we’re long …I dunno..runners or roots? They are dark in color, enlongated, and break of easily. Are these what is referred to as a tuber? Can I replant theses? They have no green sprouts altho there are some baby bulbs on the sides. There is little to no information and I can’t find a picture of them any where. Thank you
Dani
Hi Dani,
Green elephant ear tubers are round bulbs, sometimes masses of them together, with small roots coming off the bulb. The black type elephant ears are long and root like. I’ve not had luck replanting the black ones, but the green are easy. Just plant them as you would any other bulb, with the pointed end upwards in the soil, you’ll be able to see where the sprouts come out of the bulb.
-Sherry