Plant care guide
Elephant Ear Plant Care: Big Leaves, Indoors and Out
Elephant ears grow from tubers (often sold as bulbs) and produce some of the biggest leaves you can grow at home. These guides cover planting, watering, storing bulbs over winter and fixing leaf problems.
All parts of the plant are toxic, so keep it away from pets and kids.
- 17free guides
- 5topics
- Nov 2026last updated
New to elephant ear plants? Start here
Read these first. They cover the basics that solve most problems.
- How Often to Water Elephant Ear Bulbs?How much and how often to water.
- How Much Sunlight Does An Elephant Ear Plant NeedThe light it needs to grow well.
- How to Propagate Elephant Ears from CuttingGrow new plants for free.
- Why Is My Elephant Ear Turning Yellow? [And Solution to Fix]The most common problem, and the fix.
- Why Is My Elephant Ear Plant Dying? [And What to Do]Rescue a struggling plant.
Care basics: water, light and soil2
How much to water, how much light, which soil and when to feed.
Propagation, repotting and pruning6
Make new plants, move to a bigger pot, prune and shape.
Leaf problems and fixes7
Yellow, brown, curling or drooping leaves: what each sign means and the fix.
- Why Are My Elephant Ear Bulbs Not Growing
- Why are my elephant ear leaves turning brown [5 reasons & fixes]
- Why Does My Elephant Ear Plant Have White Spots [And Fixes]
- Why is My Elephant Ear Leaf Curling? [Reasons & Easy Fixes]
- Why Is My Elephant Ear Plant Drooping? [How to Fix it]
- Why Is My Elephant Ear Plant Dying? [And What to Do]
- Why Is My Elephant Ear Turning Yellow? [And Solution to Fix]
Pets and people: safety1
What happens if a cat, dog or child chews it, and what to do.
Varieties, comparisons and facts1
Types, look-alikes, growth rates and side-by-side comparisons.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do elephant ears come back every year?
In warm climates (roughly USDA zones 8 and up) they can come back from the ground each spring. In colder areas, dig up the tubers after the first frost, store them somewhere cool and dry, and replant in spring.
How much sun does an elephant ear plant need?
Most grow best in bright, filtered light or partial shade. Some types handle more sun if they get plenty of water, but harsh afternoon sun can scorch the leaves.
Is elephant ear poisonous?
Yes. Elephant ears contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause mouth pain, swelling and drooling if chewed by people or pets.