Growing Lush Amazon Elephant’s Ear Plants in Your Outdoor Garden

With their huge vibrant leaves in shapes like elephant ears alocasia are stunning tropical plants increasingly popular for outdoor landscaping. Though they thrive in tropical environments, you can successfully grow these tropical beauties in summertime gardens even in cooler climates. With the right planting methods and care, your elephant’s ear will flourish all season long in beds, borders or containers.

Choosing the Best Elephant’s Ear Variety for Outdoors

There are around 70 different species and cultivars of alocasia to choose from. When selecting your plant, consider ones specifically bred for outdoor growing. Some top varieties include:

• Alocasia ‘Stingray’ – Striking dark green leaves with lime green veins. Compact size perfect for containers.

• Alocasia ‘Portora’ – Enormous 2+ foot long leaves. Tolerates partial sun.

• Alocasia ‘Polly’ – A smaller variety under 3 feet tall. Perfect as a border or edging plant.

• Alocasia ‘Calidora’ – Wavy-edged leaves remain more compact Great for planters.

• Alocasia ‘Sanderiana’ – A classic giant variety with leaves reaching 6 feet. Perfect as a focal point.

Look for young, vigorous plants without signs of disease or pests. Check for a well-developed root system.

Planning the Perfect Planting Site

When preparing a planting site, keep these tips in mind:

• Sun: Elephant’s ears thrive in partial shade. Avoid full sun which can scorch leaves.

• Soil: Provide rich, moisture-retentive soil. Amend poorer soils with compost or peat moss.

• Drainage: Good drainage is a must to prevent soggy soils. Improve drainage by mixing in pebbles or sand.

• Shelter: Protect from strong winds which can shred leaves. Plant near a building, trellis or windbreak.

• Spacing: Allow ample room for growth. Place smaller varieties 2-3 feet apart and larger varieties 4-6 feet apart.

Planting Your Elephant’s Ear in the Garden

Once you select the perfect spot, follow these steps:

• Prepare soil by loosening and mixing in amendments like compost. Remove any weeds.

• Dig a hole the same depth and 2-3 times wider than the pot.

• Gently remove from pot, loosen roots if potbound and place in hole. Plant at same depth as in the pot.

• Backfill hole with soil, tamping gently to remove air pockets.

• Build a soil or mulch ridge around perimeter to help retain moisture.

• Water thoroughly until soil is saturated.

Growing Elephant’s Ears in Pots and Containers

Don’t have space in garden beds? You can grow elephant’s ears on patios or decks in large containers:

• Use a pot at least 18-24 inches wide and deep. Have drainage holes.

• Use a quality potting mix designed for tropicals.

• Allow 1-2 inches space between pot edge and plant for growth.

• Keep evenly moist, never soggy or bone dry. They are heavy drinkers!

• Move containers to a sheltered spot if high winds or cold temps are forecast.

Caring for Your Elephant’s Ear All Season

A little attentive care will keep your elephant’s ear thriving outside:

• Watering: Keep soil consistently evenly moist. Avoid dry spells.

• Fertilizing: Feed every 2-3 weeks during growth with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

• Pruning: Remove damaged leaves or smaller side shoots to focus growth.

• Pests: Watch for aphids, mealybugs and spider mites. Wipe away with insecticidal soap.

• Winter: In cold climates, dig up bulbs in fall and store dormant over winter in a cool place.

Troubleshooting Common Elephant’s Ear Problems

If your plant develops issues, here are some likely causes and solutions:

• Yellowing leaves: Overwatering or low nutrients. Allow soil to dry between waterings and fertilize regularly.

• Spots/holes in leaves: Pest damage. Check undersides of leaves and apply appropriate organic pest control if found.

• Leggy growth: Insufficient light. Move to a brighter filtered light location.

• Failure to thrive: Could indicate improper planting depth, poor drainage or disease. Try replanting in well-draining amended soil.

With the right variety, location and ongoing care, you can enjoy huge, dramatic elephant’s ear leaves right in your own garden all season long. They provide tropical flair whether planted in the ground or potted for the patio. Give them what they need and you’ll be rewarded with vigorous growth and spectacular summer appeal.