Deciding the right place for your works can sometimes be challenge . Do you want to grow elephant ears in your garden but do n’t bonk if they prefer full sunshine ? Will elephant pinna grow in the shade ? We ’ve done extensive research into these questions and have the answer below . Let ’s plunge powerful in !
Elephant ear will grow in the full sun as well as fond shade . broadly , this mintage prefers a bit of shade throughout the hotter afternoon , so some coverage is better .
what is more , elephant capitulum are tropical plants , so you should be able-bodied to farm them alfresco throughout the twelvemonth in USDA zone 9 - 11 . This species does n’t heed a bit of humidness and ground moisture , either .
As we start this article , we will cover all things growing elephant ear and discuss whether yours should be in the full Dominicus or not . If you ’re new to tropical gardening , have an elephant ear already , or require to learn more about this singular plant , we ’re here to avail . With that aver , permit ’s get into this topic below !
Do Elephant Ears Prefer Full Sun?
Yes , in general , you may expect elephant ears to prefer full sun . However , uprise yours with dappled shade in the afternoon could be beneficial if you live somewhere with utmost summertime temperature .
Considering that even a tropical plant like an elephant ear require to cool down a bit during hot weather , some tone is good than zero .
With that state , elephant ear can also withstand shady growing conditions . So , your plant will be okay if your garden stays covered throughout the morning or good afternoon .
The key here is giving your elephant ear enough sun , moisture , and space . As we covered above , elephant ear are tropical works , often growing undecomposed inUSDAzones 9 - 11 .
Many gardeners also choose to grow these plant indoors if they ’re somewhere cold , so just because you do n’t populate in a special climate does n’t intend you have to pretermit out .
Where Is The Best Place To Grow Elephant Ears?
You require to have elephant auricle somewhere warm , moist , and sunny . As we said , these tropical coinage do better with full sun pic , although partial shade is also fine .
According to experts , it ’s practiced to plant elephant ear in the dappled shade if you subsist in a live climate . Although great for tropical plants , passion can also do sun burning and miserable wellness , so too much is n’t upright .
Furthermore , cultivars withdarker - coloredfoliage necessitate more Dominicus to stay healthy and keep their coloring , so that ’s another point to be aware of .
It ’s also substantive to grow elephant ears in medium - moist soil to ensure they last out respectable and green . If the sun is intense where you go , this could mean more frequent watering on your end .
attempt to cheer a tropical climate in your garden for your elephant ears to see the best results .
Will Elephant Ears Grow In Full Shade?
Although elephant ear may do okay in full tint , it ’s important they get some daily sunshine . As we mentioned , this mintage prefers fond refinement in warm temperatures , so full shade could be too extreme .
Like any works , the sunlight gives elephant ear nutrient and helps them perform photosynthesis . Without adequate light , your plant could become sick and stop growing .
Furthermore , it ’s better if your plant aim at least a few hours of direct light in the dawning and then mostly fill in through the good afternoon .
If you have a tree or other plants with turgid canopy above your elephant auricle , you may involve to murder or trim them to allow light to reach the ground .
To keep an elephant auricle in good condition , it ’s imperative to give it enough sun day by day .
How Many Hours Of Sunlight Do Elephant Ears Need?
Ideally , you want to plant elephant ears somewhere with6 - 8hours of sun daily . depend on where you are , this may not be potential but direct for at least four hours of direct contact .
Typically , elephant ears do n’t mind shade when it ’s raging , so good afternoon sun is n’t always require .
However , you could run into issues if it ’s moderate weather and your plant is in full nuance . Many experts recommend check and testing areas in your garden for sun photo before planting elephant ears .
This is a well affair for any species that like the sunlight to foreclose having to get rid of or transplant later .
In addition , you might need to prune nearby trees and shrub if they block the sun from reaching your elephant ears , so this may ask some extra work .
You also do n’t have to occupy if your plant gets more than eight hour of Dominicus , as it will recover throughout the night when the temperatures lessen .
This soil tester measuring rod moisture , faint , and pH , read exact sunlight levels , does n’t need batteries , and has a 7.9 - in probe .
How Can You Tell If An Elephant Ear Is Getting Too Much Sun?
For those wondering why their elephant ear looks sad , this could be too much Sunday exposure . Generally , when an elephant ear get too much sunshine in a brusque point , you will notice it turnbrownor discolor .
guess of this like a sunburn . Like humans , when an elephant ear gets too much oestrus and sun , it ’s likely to notice one burn around the edge .
If the sun is utmost , your plant could become bite through entire sections . Therefore , it ’s essential to implant your elephant ear with mottled wraith so it can heal in hotter season .
A common misconception about tropical plant is that they know sunshine 24/7 , which is assumed . Too much of a good matter can promptly become damaging to the health of your plants , and the sun is no exception .
In contrast , you might even notice yellowing if an elephant spike does n’t see enough sunlight daily , so this can be tricky to navigate .
Can Elephant Ears Survive Colder Weather?
Switching gears , it ’s also good to have sex how cold an elephant spike can get . Usually , elephant ears can survive freeze in typically warmer grow zones , although this is n’t always 100 % accurate .
For example , if you live in Florida and the temperatures set down to50 degreesor lower , your elephant ear might bounce back if the weather condition warms up shortly afterward .
However , if the weather condition stays consistently insensate for weeks , your elephant ears could die back .
tropic plants , big or minuscule , favour moderate year - round condition . So , if the location you grow one sees multiple frosts and freezing atmospheric condition throughout winter , your elephant ear wo n’t probably endure .
That said , you could move an elephant ear indoors during colder conditions and place it back outside once things improve , so that ’s another theme to consider .
How Big Do Elephant Ears Get?
you could usually expect an elephant ear to becomebetweenthree and six foot tall in ideal conditions .
However , if you grow one in your backyard , it ’s more likely to suffer around three feet magniloquent with a similar spread , so that ’s a more naturalistic estimate .
One of the interesting features of this coinage is its monolithic leaves . For example , a mature elephant ear could produce parting as long as three feet , which is unbelievable considering it may only be 3 - 6 feet marvelous .
Many gardener love these tropic plants for their heavy , flashy leaf , so we urge elephant ear if you want something that pop within your landscaping .
One thing to study , however , is that elephant ears stay smaller in colder climates . In increase , it ’s also likely to see your elephant ear remain little if it does n’t get enough sunlight , so many things ingredient in here .
How Long Does It Take For Elephant Ears To Reach Mature Size?
you may typically expect elephant ears to reach mature size of it in as little astwomonths . As we said , these plants can diverge in last size depend on their rise conditions , but they should grow fast no matter .
Especially if you ’re somewhere with warm , moist weather , you could see your elephant ear become 3 - 6 animal foot tall within a few month in the basis .
Specifically , elephant ears have an one-year ontogeny rate of 3 - 5 feet , so that ’s a good estimate to keep in mind while watching your plant develop .
what is more , the more sun exposure and moisture an elephant ear grow , the faster and better it will grow . Soil shape are just as important as Sunday photograph .
Are Elephant Ears Invasive?
Although elephant ears are n’t native to North America , they are n’t usually considered incursive or aggressive . However , if you do n’t keep them in check , they ’ll likely circularise to other plants nearby .
Like any tumid shrub , elephant ears can become an progeny for other native species under / near them , so that ’s one matter to think about .
This coinage has domesticate throughout North American landscape , meaning it is n’t of necessity an invader to native plants . If you notice any trespassing behaviors from your elephant ears , you’re able to trim them back to stop them from spreading .
If you ’re still curious about this matter , read our post : Are Elephant Ears Invasive ? [ And Where To get Them ]
To Finish Up
Whether you have elephant ears in your garden or require to plant some , it ’s always good to know their sun requirement . We establish that elephant ears do best in fond or dappled shade , as they do n’t answer well to spicy sun 24/7 .
It ’s also good to found elephant auricle somewhere they ’ll get 6 - 8 hours of sun daily . If your plant has too much spook , it ’s potential to see it discolor and blockade grow .
Elephant spike also remain more lilliputian in the shade or in colder climates .
Made it this far ? Check out these helpful related garden articles below !
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Why Is My Elephant Ear Plant Dying ? [ And What To Do About It ]
