Abundant Elephant Ear Container Garden

Elephant ears are inexpensive, fast growing and easy to care for; they are perfect for creating attention-grabbing accents for the garden or patio. I recommend you plant several bulbs in a bright-colored container to enjoy all summer.

Materials

• 20-inch Container
• 4 Elephant Ear Bulbs
• Gravel
• Potting Soil
• Slow Release Fertilizer
• Sheet Moss (optional)
• Floral U-pins (optional)

Directions

The planted pot will be heavy so get it in place before you get started. Elephant ears like bright morning sun and afternoon shade or filtered sunlight.

Layer the bottom of the pot with 1 inch of gravel. This will improve drainage and give the pot a little extra weight so the container won't blow over on windy days.

Fill the container with potting soil.

Add a slow release fertilizer at the rate recommended by the manufacturer.

Plant the bulbs 2 to 3 inches deep with the roots pointing down.

Water well.

As a finishing touch cover the soil with sheet moss. You can pin the moss in place with floral U-pins.

It may take several weeks for the elephant ears to emerge, but they'll take off once they do.

Water consistently through the summer to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy.

Elephant ears are winter hardy in zones 8-10. In cold winter climates, either move the container into a sheltered storage area such as a garage, or lift and store the bulbs. Do this in late fall after the plant dies back.

Good to Know

Elephant ears like warm weather. Wait until late spring or early summer to plant this container. The bulbs will sulk in cold soil.