If you grow your elephant ear parent plant outdoors in the ground and the temperature drops below 40 °F (4 °C) where you live, dig them up in the fall and store the bulbs indoors during the winter. Since you’ll already be digging up your plant, this is a great time to separate the new tubers. [2] X Research source
The bleach sterilizes your tools, helping prevent the transfer of any bacterial or fungal diseases that may be infecting your parent plant. [5] X Research source In addition, you’ll also avoid introducing new bacteria to the parent or new plant that may be lingering on your knife or shovel.
Dig around your in-ground plant slowly and carefully so that you don’t harm any healthy tubers and roots.
Choose tubers that don’t have any blemishes or rotten areas, as these may indicate that the plant has a disease that can prevent it from successfully propagating. [8] X Research source
Elephant ear tubers have a potato-like texture, making them easy to slice through with a sharp knife. You can cut all of the new growth tubers away from the main plant mass or leave some attached if you want the parent plant to grow larger more quickly.
A mixture of peat moss and sand makes a good soil for elephant ears.
For best results, keep the tubers in a room with a temperatures from 50 to 60 °F (10 to 16 °C). [12] X Research source
Choose a location that is sheltered from the wind, if possible.
For best results, let the soil temperature rise to at least 65 °F (18 °C). It may take several weeks for the new elephant ear plant to emerge. [15] X Research source
Lining your walkway or fence with elephant ear plants has a lovely effect.
