Colocasia in colder climates. Overwintering Elephant Ears

Hi. I’ve been growing and collecting Colocasia for over 10 years now with good and bad results in my U.K. Tropical Style garden. I’ve made this video to help anyone new to growing these plants in colder parts of the world get them through our cold wet winters.

[@marylalone7104]

Great information. Thank you.

[@tikitropicals65]

Your welcome. Thank you.

[@regalportraits3921]

Excellent thank you very much

[@tikitropicals65]

You are very welcome

[@peterkuhne5243]

I keep mine at 14 degrees at the brightest window in the house with 2 hours of supplied light in the morning. Work very good for ´Illustris and ´Aloha´`with a little water about every 5 days. They are both in 20 liter pots. ´Blac Magic` receives less water and leaves tend to get green in winter but wake fully up when placed in greenhouse in spring keeping night temperatures above 8 degrees

[@tikitropicals65]

Hi. Yeah if temps are warm enough. and they are still growing it’s not always necessary to put in smaller pots. What it does is allow better control of moisture levels plus reduces the amount of room needed to over winter them.

[@dianewhitworth4953]

Another great informative video. I might be braver next year and try some of the more delicate varieties

[@tikitropicals65]

Thank you. I would say try one of the glossy black varieties like black Coral or Diamond Head. The contrast of black against green looks really good.

[@user-hb1qn6gf2v]

Thanks a lot! Much appreciated!! I have some Pink China's in Pots that likely prefer more temperate conditions - What method would you recommend to overwinter these? As a house plant? Or maybe in the basement (with grow lights) at 15 degrees celsius in a rather dry condition?! I assume that they (most likely) would not survive one of our wet winters in central germany (Going down to about -8 degrees celsius) in a pot ..

[@tikitropicals65]

Hi. My Pink China in pots I just keep them frost free in my greenhouse. You can just cut them down to the soil and leave them to go dormant. They are a hardy variety so if they were in the soil outside in free draining soil they can come back after temps lower than -8 if you mulch the top layer to help insulate them from the cold. In a pot they can freeze through so best to bring them somewhere cool. In general I wouldn’t keep Pink China growing over winter unless really small plants.

[@user-rk1uz4ur4m]

My Pink China stays in the ground

[@tikitropicals65]

Yes Colocasia Pink China is generally a hardy variety so is usually fine to stay in the ground.