Elephant ears (Colocasia esculenta) produce beautiful large leaves that provide a tropical look to your landscape,pond or patio. They grow from starchy tubers that don’t tolerate wet winter weather jor freezing temperatures. Elephant ears grow in Wichita wonderfully thru the summer months but will not survive the winter. Storing them properly, whether in dirt or indoors, ensures they survive winter dormancy.
Potted Plants
Potted elephant ears plants survive winter well when left in the dirt inside their containers. Move the pots to a frost-free spot where they aren’t exposed to rain so the soil in the pot remains dry during dormancy. Reduce watering for the pots and trim back the elephant ears foliage once it dies back naturally in late fall. Water the soil slightly as needed so it doesn’t dry completely, keeping it barely moist to the touch until new growth emerges in spring.
Lifting the tubers
Elephant ears in colder climates or wet soil require lifting in fall so you can store them in a better place. After your first frost, cut the stems to about 6 inches tall. Dig up the tubers after the foliage dies back and spread them out to dry in a cool, dark area. After drying the tubers for two or three days, brush off any excess dirt but don’t rinse them with water. Inspect the tubers for damage and throw out any that appear diseased or rotten.
Indoor Tuber Storage
Lifted tubers aren’t typically stored in regular garden dirt. Instead, fill a bucket or bag with dry vermiculite, sand or peat moss. These sterile storage mediums help keep the elephant ear tubers disease-free during indoor storage. Bury the tubers in the storage medium and keep them in a cool area, such as in an unheated shed or garage. You can replant the tubers in the garden bed in spring, after the danger of frost has passed.
- 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 a tiny bit of water to the container and store it in a cool, dark place to ensure the tuber stays dormant throughout the winter. Keep your Elephant Ears moist but not wet.