Elephant Ears
By marcyaz
@Marcyaz (35316)
United States
April 10, 2016 9:12am CST
Elephant ears is a perennial plant that grows up to 9 feet and has large elephant type ears thus its name.
They can be grown in any climate and if it is a colder climate then they need to be dug up for the winter and stored in a dry, cool place and can be replanted the next year.
I love the looks of the elephant ears.
When I lived in Oklahoma I had two of the elephant ear plants and they were huge, I could go behind the plant and I would be hidden from view.
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.
Plant the tubers about 2 to 3 inches deep, blunt end down.
23 people like this
22 responses
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
10 Apr 16
I thought that I recognized them until I read the part about it being 9 feet!
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
11 Apr 16
@Hate2Iron
It seems there are different kinds and sizes.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
10 Apr 16
@Hate2Iron
I believe they have some that don't grow that large, depending on what kind you buy.
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
@Marcyaz I must have seen the smaller version in a nursery! The same but a whole lot smaller ;)
1 person likes this
@Daljinder (23193)
• Bangalore, India
24 May 16
The first time I saw the picture you posted, my mind went "palm leaves" / "money plant" but you called them Elephant ears. They looked really really familiar. We have this plant very common to see. I looked it up and saw why this was very familiar. It is grown in Indian sub continent. It is called "arvi plant". Roots and leaves are edible. They are cooked in different states in different way depending on the cuisine of that region. I don't eat the roots. Hates it actually. LOL But that is my personal choice. The leaves though are used on dish which I love "Sindhi Curry" . And then there is this "Paan". I don't eat that either.
Have you ever looked up Lotus flower? It's leaves are huge too. It's a very pretty flower grown in the water. Available in Pink, White, blue, purple colors. I added the picture of one.
Oh the banana leaves are used as plate in Southern states of India.
P. S. Culprit behind my visit is @VivaLaDani13. Notorious for digging up graves (old posts) And I love ghosts (interesting topics) 
Right Dovey?
Right Dovey?1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
24 May 16
@Daljinder
Very interesting as I had no idea you could eat the roots and leaves. I will look up Lotus flower also as it is very pretty. I will have to thank her for suggesting this to you.
2 people like this
@VivaLaDani13 (60812)
• Perth, Australia
25 May 16
@Daljinder lol I can't help it. But I am glad you are getting a kick out of it.
1 person likes this
@Daljinder (23193)
• Bangalore, India
25 May 16
@VivaLaDani13 Yeah if I don't find anything interesting in "Follows" "Most recent" then I check your activity. Then Vandana's and so on.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Apr 16
I used to have a pretty good sized plant. When I lived in an apartment with a huge front room window I had all manner of plants. Even had a fly eater for a while.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
11 Apr 16
@celticeagle
They are so pretty even when in a pot. I have never had a fly eater but have heard of them. Do they really eat the flies?
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Apr 16
@Marcyaz ...The first one didn't and was pretty pathetic. I got a second and it perks up and ate several that I know of.
@allknowing (153530)
• India
11 Apr 16
Ours have huge leaves but they do not grow to a height of 9 feet. The tubers are edible.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
11 Apr 16
@allknowing
I love the size of the leave don't you, some types don't grow as tall as others.
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
11 Apr 16
@lilnana1111
Wouldn't you love to have some in your yard?
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
11 Apr 16
@lilnana1111
You could plant them in more of a shady space if you have any.
@lilnana1111 (2305)
• United States
11 Apr 16
@Marcyaz Yes, I would, bit big leaf plants don't seem to do so well in Az, the sun burns them, or at least that's my understanding.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
10 Apr 16
There is one of those right in front of the balcony here set between two trees,
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
10 Apr 16
@JohnRoberts
Aren't they beautiful? I love how big they can grow.
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
10 Apr 16
@JohnRoberts
Ah and aren't they lovely to look at, I think they are beautiful.
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
10 Apr 16
@Marcyaz These are huge here and form a barricade with the trees.
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Apr 16
We hasd so many and t hey grew so tall I loved them so much then like idiots we sold our beloved house instead of refinancing it I still remember the Elephant ears and the Avocado trees ripe with fruit. he one reret of my married l ife selling that house.
1 person likes this
@louievill (28846)
• Philippines
10 Apr 16
Elephant ears are related to the taro plant or "gabi" in Pilipino which are edible, we eat the roots, stem and even the leaves.
These elephant ears are ornamental gabi and they are not edible, i have seen a lot grow wild along streams in tropical rain forest jungles and they grow quite large
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
10 Apr 16
@louievill
Mine grew over 7 feet tall and about the same width wide. They were gigantic and beautiful.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
11 Apr 16
We had some in our yard at one time.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
11 Apr 16
@Tampa_girl7
Great and did you like them enough to now plant some more of them?
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
10 Apr 16
they do like they'd be great for camouflaging something
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
10 Apr 16
@Jessicalynnt
They could camouflage just about anything if that is what you are looking for. 
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40845)
• Laguna Woods, California
11 Apr 16
Years ago, I used to have an elephant ears plant. I had forgotten all about it until I saw your article!
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
11 Apr 16
@DeborahDiane
Great it brought about a forgotten memory of your past elephant ears plant. I bet now you will want to have another one, am I right?
@VivaLaDani13 (60812)
• Perth, Australia
24 May 16
I have seen these plants before but I never known the name of them. I like them. We don't have the exact same planets but something like it. I love watching the water run down them when it rains.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
24 May 16
@VivaLaDani13
I love the way the water runs off of them also. They are one of my favorites. Thanks for suggesting this to @Daljinder.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Jun 16
When I was little, our back yard was covered in elephant ears! Living in south Florida, the climate was very conducive to year-round growth of the elephant ears, and so they thrived very well! I didn't realize they could live in cooler, northern climates, but it makes sense if you bring them in during the winter!
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
14 Jun 16
@moffittjc
I love the elephant ears but here you can only buy them at certain times of the year.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
15 Jun 16
@moffittjc
That would be wonderful and then I could have all I wanted. lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Jun 16
@Marcyaz In south Florida's tropical environment, it seems like they grow everywhere in the wild. If you want some, just go dig them up out of the woods or vacant lot! lol
@jillybean1222 (6406)
•
10 Apr 16
I'd like to plant some elephant ears in my yard. i need to do more work on my landscaping.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
10 Apr 16
I've never grown them but thanks for the advice I will look for some tubers.
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
11 Apr 16
They are beautiful plants. It's good to know they grow anywhere.
