Q: I live in Riverside County California, 2 Years ago my roommate brought home a 5 gallon bucket full of Elephant Ear Plants.  We discovered they liked it best at the north end of our Mobile Home, so we separated the bulbs and planted them. The area has some sun protection and I have added Vines and potted trees for additional shade from the hot summer sun.   I put bark over the ground for winter protection as our temperatures don’t go below freezing.  This year they did not even loose all of their leaves and are growing rapidly.  Several of the plants have produced several babies and now are flowering like crazy.  But only half the plants have flowers.  Do Elephant Ears have genders?

A reader from North Carolina writes: This is a real survivor.  He's growing in full sun, in NC clay, and was in front of a house that was empty for 6 months.  Other than rain, he got no care until August this year.  We're going to lift the tuber after first frost and keep it in the garage.  Next spring we can amend his soil and maybe get him a little shade! 

Q: My elephant ear grew about 12 ft. high last year. It was just beautiful. Then winter came and all the leaves died back and just the thick stems remained. They really looked yucky. We did not know what to do with it at that point, so we just let it be. Well, now its growing again from the mushy brown stem and the leaves are awful looking. As they are unfurling, they look like someone shot them with buckshot. I suppose some insect is eating the leaves before they even unfurl completely. We didn't have this problem last year. Should we cut the plant all the way to ground level? Could the plant have been weakened and now insects are taking advantage? We are totally puzzled by this. Do you have any advice? We live in the Florida panhandle.

A: That is exactly what is happening, some boring insect is having all his meals in your EE.

You can clean up the dead and dying leaves and perhaps trim off the holy leaves and let the new growth come through. You can also spray accordingly. I would try a soapy solution first and then maybe some insecticidal spray.....and see if that does the trick......Do it early in the morning. You may have to do repeated efforts.

Do not mulch 'til you have to when the weather gets very warm and you need to preserve the moisture.

Q: I have an elephant ear plant with a sort of jungle pattern on its leaves that grew beautifully in Los Angeles. I just transported it via a Ryder truck to New Mexico, in January, so it was very cold. All of its leaves fell over and it seemed to freeze in the truck. I immediately brought it indoors and it does not seem to be responding. I cut off the leaves and I just feel awful about it, it seems amputated and very sad. Do you advise that I can still dig up the bulb and save it through the winter in some peat moss or sawdust?

I hope there is a chance for it, I did not mean to harm this plant....

A: No I would leave the EE in its pot and if the plant goes dormant, let it be. Do not overwater, and bring it outside at the first signs of warm spring days. It may grow inside, and even flourish if you have enough light. Do not fertilize 'til the spring.

I would find a nice warm and cozy spot for the transplant. Remember this plant loves lots of rich organic material.

Q: Back in March I planted an Elephant ear. I was really discouraged come May when nothing had happened. So, in the beginning of June I dumped the plant, planning to refill the pot with something else. I was shocked to find that there were roots - small ones but there were roots. I replanted it and now I have a sprout about 1/2 an inch or less coming out of the dirt. It has been that way for about a week now. I see no new growth. I try and not over water it, and I keep it in the sun. I am wondering if maybe I have to much sun on it, or if I should move it into the house for a while. I live in central Missouri, and our climate right now is mid 80's everyday. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

A: I would put the possible elephant ear outside in some shade. Yes, you are correct about not over watering it since it is in a container.....give it some liquid fertilizer and morning sun would probably be alright until it is well on its way. Then acclimate it into sunnier conditions. If you plant it in the soil, make sure there is good drainage. Bulbs will rot if their feet are constantly wet.

Good for you in not giving up on the baby plant.

Elephant ears do not respond until 'their time' whenever and wherever they are planted.

They do like hot, sub-tropical, and tropical conditions. High humidity is a plus.

In the fall when the days become short it may cease to grow. It will naturally die back. This is your opportunity (if you have grown it in the soil) to dig up the bulb and dry it out and wait for another spring.

I suspect where you live growing in the full sun should be ok. It will not be that intense.