How to care for my elephant ear in the house?

Question

Hi! I’m a newbie at growing/tropical plants. I started a potted garden for my Tiki bar in the Poconos in PA. We are about 4-5 zone there, I believe. When temps started getting into 40s-50s during day and low 30s at night we brought them home to our house in central NJ. We put them by a window that gets partial sun. The leaves are starting to yellow and dry and I’m panicking! Haven’t watered it too much cause we need a tray under it but it got tons of rain before bringing it home so I’m hoping it just needs more water. I do not want to over water, either.

Answer 1

They can be kept growing indoors, but they will not be as nice and full as they will outdoors. Really, they benefit from a dormancy, but is not necessary, and can be difficult in container.

As long as you keep it alive in your house, then you can have a headstart for th next year. If it does go dormant, then you will want to only water 1/4 cup a month, and put it in the dark until late spring, but I think that you will do fine keeping it inside.

If you do have to winterize them, then this article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/elephant-ear/storing-elephant-ear-bulbs.htm