How do i over-winter elephant ears?

do i remove the stalks and leaves,

How do i over-winter elephant ears?
You should at least bring them into the house. Which is what I did.





I don't want to give you the wrong advice, (so don't follow my example) , but I just want to relate this story, which happened to me.





We received one as a gift and planted it in a shady spot about 3 yrs ago. I don't think it ever sprouted that season, so I sort of forgot about it.





The bulb (which in zone 5 is supposed to come inside for the winter), was sitting in the ground for one winter.





I was breaking spring ground to plant new stuff and I came across the bulb. I wasn't sure if it survived the winter, but I cleaned it up and I buried it in a planter, just to see what would happen.





We brought it in for the winter, where it grew and grew. Some of the original leaves yellowed out, but I was brave and cut them off as low as I could.





I was like you, not really knowing what to do.





I won't pretend to say that cutting of yellow leaves from the soil base was attractive (it was not a pretty site), but the plant did thrive once the deed was done. New shoots popped out over time. This was under a pretty brightly lighted and sunny winter location within doors however.





I think if your in a winter zone you should dig it up the bulb with roots, cut off all foliage, and store it in a cool dry spot.





Others should advise you on maintaining the plant indoors.





Looking forward to reading advice on leaf cuttings.
Reply:Does over-winter mean winterize?
Reply:yes you do
Reply:You're exactly right - remove the leaves and stalks, and dig the bulb up. I will stick mine in a paper bag and leave it in the garage until I can replant in the spring.
Reply:it depends on where you live
Reply:I cut mine back as they start to die in the fall then cover them with mulch.
Reply:I have no idea what you are talking about
Reply:I imagine zone has a lot to do with it. Here in the south I just cut them down and cover with pinestraw. In colder temps you might need to dig them up and store thru the freezing winter. m
Reply:hi there, i work for a nursery and what we did is we took the elephant ears and banana plants out of their pots and shook all the dirt off of them and spreaded dycicton on the ground in one of the nursery hot houses and laid them up right and let them go dormant and then replant them in the spring. i hope this helps you in some way..
Reply:I guess that would depend on where you live and the climate you live in.


I live in the south west and have elephant ears in my garden. They die back when it begins turning cold and all I do to them is cover them up real good with hay or some other mulch. In the spring they pop right back out again with no problems.


If you live in the northern or colder climates where you get snow and ice, I would recommend getting them dug out of the ground and placed in a cool dry place until spring, like you would do with any other bulb.


Hope this helps you out.
Reply:i was told that elephant ears die back before the last frost, all you do is cut them down and cover them entirely with mulch. on sort of warm winter days you should water them.

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