Elephant Ear plants are tropicals that require warmth before blooming. To get the most out of them, keep your growing environment between 64 and 77°F (18 and 25°C). Keep them consistently warm, and they'll bloom in response to the hot weather. Place your Elephant Ear in a warmer part of your growing area. Elephant ears will only bloom when it reaches maturity (usually by the third growing season) and if it has perfect growing conditions. Most gardeners remove any flowers that form so all the energy can go into producing more attractive leaves. If you leave the flowers on the plant, they will develop into clusters of red, yellow, or orange.
Elephant Ear In Bloom Photograph by Malgorzata Fairman Pixels
Some gardeners may be surprised to hear that elephant ears bloom, because it happens so infrequently. The blooms consist of a spath, or white or yellow folded bract surrounding a fleshy flower spike. The flowers look much like peace lilies, which are in the same plant family. Elephant ears must reach maturity first, which may take three or more. Zones: 8-10. Exposure: Part shade/full shade. Soil: Moist, but well-drained and organically rich. Height: 2 to 4 feet. Spread: 1 to 4 feet. Natives of tropical America, Xanthosoma plants like very warm and humid weather. Like Colocasia, the tubers of Xanthosoma are edible. This type of elephant ear is less common for growning in home gardens than the other types. A: Elephant ear is in the same family as peace lily and anthurium, the common houseplants. Their blooms are technically called spaths. Botanically, a spath is a bract (modified leaf) enclosing a spadix (fleshy spike of tiny flowers). If the flowers are pollinated, tiny "berries" will form along the spadix. Save them to plant outdoors in spring. Plant elephant's ear in spring after all danger of frost has passed. Plant an elephant's ear bulb when the temperature ranges from 60°F to 85°F. The end with the concentric circles is the top of the bulb. If you're ever in doubt about which end is up, plant a bulb on its side; it'll send the green up and the roots down.
My elephant ear is blooming!! houseplants
Flowers and Blooming Season: The flowers, though not as prominent as the foliage, are typically inflorescences enclosed in a spathe. They usually bloom in late summer.. Do elephant ear plants come back every year? Elephant Ear plants are perennials, meaning they come back every year. In warmer climates (USDA zones 8-11), they can survive. Elephant Ears Gardening Uses. There are a number of uses for elephant ears in the garden. These plants come in a variety of colors and sizes. Elephant ear plants can be used as background plants, ground covers, or edging, especially around ponds, along walkways, or patio enclosures.Their most common use, however, is as an accent or focal point.Many are even well adapted to growing in containers.
