Elephant Ear Plants, Seattle Area?

Do you still have to lift and store Elephant Ear bulbs in the Seattle area? The climate is pretty temperate, as we have the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other... I just planted the corms out in my swamp and was wondering.

Elephant Ear Plants, Seattle Area?
Good question. I think you will be pretty safe in over wintering them in Seattle. You do sometimes get a snow but I've never heard of it actually freezing there. I know here (zone 5) we have to dig them up. Maybe it would be safer to cut them down to ground level or even put some mulch (leaves, hay, etc.) around them to protect them a little more.
Reply:Planting Zones for Elephant Ear is zone 8 and above, elephant ears can be left outside year-round. Elephant ears aren't indigenous to Florida but have become naturalized in some wetland areas in the southern half of the state and are widespread. In fact, elephant ear plants are considered invasive plants there. In cold climates, elephant ear plants are treated as annuals, allowing us our own little piece of "tropical landscaping" -- albeit short-lived.





Elephant ears are heavy feeders; fertilize them with a fertilizer high in nitrogen. Elephant ear plants are tropical but can be overwintered in cold climates. Just dig up the corms and keep them in a cool, but not freezing basement or garage, as you would store canna bulbs. During this period of dormancy, make sure the corms neither rot nor totally dry out. Replant in spring when danger of frost has passed.
Reply:yes, only because you have wet winters. your winters are warm enought, but the cold last till about now





actually it really can go either way maybe keep some in the groung and store some of the other ones and see how it works
Reply:No, they should be fine through the winter.