Elephant ears are stunning tropical plants known for their huge, heart-shaped leaves. But since they aren’t cold hardy, overwintering elephant ears in pots takes some special care if you want to keep them from year to year
I’ve successfully overwintered my potted elephant ears multiple times now So in this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my proven tips for getting your elephant ears through the winter safely in their containers
Why Overwinter Elephant Ears
Elephant ears (also called taro or colocasia) can’t survive freezing winter temperatures. But thankfully, you can overwinter the underground tubers indoors and replant them in spring.
By overwintering the tubers, your elephant ears will return reliably each year. You’ll get to enjoy their gorgeous foliage season after season without having to purchase new plants annually.
Overwintering elephant ears in pots is easier than overwintering those planted in the ground since you don’t have to dig them up.
When to Move Elephant Ear Pots Indoors
The key is bringing your elephant ear pots inside before frost hits. I like to move mine in 1-2 weeks before the average first fall frost date in my area.
Once nighttime temperatures start dipping into the 40s F, it’s time to play it safe and bring those pots indoors. An early light frost won’t kill the foliage immediately, but don’t take risks!
Choosing the Right Indoor Location
Elephant ears prefer warm temperatures and high humidity when overwintering. I put my pots in my heated garage near a south-facing window. Any frost-free spot works as long as temps stay above 50°F.
A bright bathroom or basement are other good options. Just keep pots away from drafty windows or doors to prevent cold damage.
Watering Requirements
The tubers still need moisture over winter but avoid overwatering. Only water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.
I give mine a light watering about every 2-3 weeks. The goal is to keep soil evenly moist but never soggy. Too much water may cause tuber rot.
Stop Fertilizing & Prune Foliage
Discontinue fertilizing elephant ears once you move them indoors. This prevents unwanted growth during dormancy.
Also trim back the elephant ear’s foliage to about 6 inches when you bring pots inside. This concentrates the plant’s energy in the tubers.
Check for Pests or Rot
Check pots every few weeks for signs of rot or pests like aphids. Catch issues early by gently removing some soil to inspect the tuber health.
Discard any infested potting mix. Prune off damaged tuber sections and dust with sulfur powder to prevent spread.
When to Repot
If tubers have overgrown their pots, early spring before growth resumes is the time to repot into larger containers.
Carefully separate and replant tubers in fresh potting mix amended with fertilizer so they can reach full size.
Caring for Elephant Ears After Dormancy
When all danger of frost has passed in spring, begin watering and feeding as normal. Transition pots back outside gradually once nighttime temperatures are above 50°F.
New growth will take off quickly! Sit back and enjoy your elephant ears’ bold tropical effects in your garden once again.
Common Elephant Ear Overwintering Problems
Rotting tubers – Caused by overwatering or prolonged dampness. Improve drainage and only water when partly dry. Remove damaged sections and dust with sulfur powder.
Shriveled, dried tubers – Due to inadequate moisture. Soak pots to rehydrate if needed and monitor watering closely.
No regrowth in spring – Tubers died from cold damage or rotting. Discard dead tubers and replant healthy ones in fresh mix.
Key Tips for Overwintering Success
- Move pots indoors before first frost
- Provide bright, indirect light
- Water sparingly, only when partly dry
- Stop fertilizing and prune foliage
- Keep temperatures above 50°F
- Repot in early spring if tubers are crowded
Do you cover tubers or leave the tip sticking out?
Hmm – a real split of opinion here. Many sites advise leaving the tip of the tuber sticking out, planting 2.5cm deep or even 10cm deep! I went for the latter, as the plants are top-heavy in pots. Even gentle winds will make the foliage move around, loosening the roots and blowing the pot over.
Which way up do you plant the tubers?
Colocasia’s tubers look like battered cricket balls with ring markings. Plant ‘the bullseye’ upwards (easy to spot if there’s a pointed tip or a shoot there). If in any doubt as to which way is up, plant it on its side!
How To Overwinter Your Elephant Ear Plants ( Colocasia esculenta )
FAQ
How do you winterize potted elephant ears?
Discontinue watering through the winter. This forces elephant ear tubers into dormancy. Cut all the stalks down at the soil level. In the spring when the temperature is consistently at or above 60 degrees F, water when the top of the soil feels dry. Once the last frost has passed, you can return the pots outdoors.
How do you save elephant ear plants for next year?
If you want to save elephant ears from year to year, gently dig up the plants when the temperatures are below 40 degrees this fall. Place the clump in a warm, dry area. As it dries, brush off the soil, cut the stems and continue drying the clump. A few days later, brush off any remaining soil and separate the tubers.
Can elephant ears survive winter in pots?
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.
Should I cut back my elephant ears for winter?
Let the stems of your plants die back naturally with the frost. Cutting them can lead to rot.
How do you overwinter elephant ears?
Another key to overwintering elephant ears in containers is keeping the soil on the dry side. Avoid placing the pots where they will get heavy rain or irrigation. Wet soil during cold dormancy can lead to rotting of the tubers. Place potted elephant ears under an overhang or porch area to keep excess moisture away.
How do you keep elephant ears from rotting?
Avoid placing the pots where they will get heavy rain or irrigation. Wet soil during cold dormancy can lead to rotting of the tubers. Place potted elephant ears under an overhang or porch area to keep excess moisture away. Or move them into a covered space like a garage or cold frame where they will stay dry over winter.
Can elephant ear tubers overwinter?
Put the plant in the brightest, sunniest window in your home. Consider supplementing this light with a grow light to keep the plant going through the winter months. If you prefer, you can overwinter elephant ear tubers like you overwinter dahlias.
Can you leave elephant ears in the ground over winter?
You can leave elephant ears in the ground over winter if you live in USDA Zones 7-11 or if the weather stays mild (above 40°F (4℃)) through winter. However, you will still need to protect your plants in the ground with some insulation, such as chopped up leaves and lawn cuttings piled over the tubers.
How do you prepare elephant ear plants for winter?
Here’s how to prepare your elephant ear plants for winter. Allow your elephant ear plants’ foliage to die back naturally but leave tubers in the ground. Cutting the leaves back beforehand can cause root rot. Cover the tubers thoroughly with a pile of dead leaves, grass clippings, straw, hay, or other insulating plant material.
How do I repot an elephant ear plant?
Repotting is another important task when it comes to elephant ear plant care. As your plant grows, it will eventually outgrow its current pot and need to be repotted into a larger container. To repot your elephant ear plant, start by choosing a pot that is one or two sizes larger than its current pot.