Overwintering Colocasia Gigantea Thailand Giant in a Cold Climate - Time to Bring it Indoors

This makes me so sad when i need to cut this plant down to bring indoors. But the weather is getting cold again and it needs to happen :(
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[@judy4justice]

Enjoyed this so much!! Those leaves were huge!! Mine are now moved to a covered porch, waiting to bring inside as temperatures drop a little more.Thanks Bill!

[@PlantzNThings]

Judy White Wonderful :) these plants can take the cool weather. had i not needed to video the experience i would have waited longer myself.. I would wait until the frost was threatening.

[@_kimiadventures]

This is EXACTLY THE VIDEO I SEARCHED AGES FOR. Thanks Billy Boy 😁👍🏽 mine look Verty sum in size too

[@PlantzNThings]

YAY!!!

[@mkseafoodsstore823]

98 8k90d855 04

[@Tashadblessing]

Love your video. You have so much compassion towards your plants. I love it.

[@janetsuedmeier8127]

Thanks for the encouraging video. I dug mine up put them in pots in front of a window that was really high. Low and behold, they got new leaves and actually look like nice house plants.

[@geesgardeningclubuk5247]

I wish i had a conservatory or even a greenhouse to put all my tropical plants in. Those leaves are beautiful

[@babyscorner2023]

I LIVE IN MICHIGAN, AND I HAVE PEOPLE STOPPING BY MY PLACE EVERY DAY, TO LOOK,TALK ABOUT AND ASK ME ABOUT MY GARDENS, AND ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT, IS ADDING THIS THAILAND GIANT, TO MY COLLECTION!! PLEASE PLEASE TELL ME WHERE I WOULD EVEN BEGIN TO LOOK FOR THIS!! AND THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR VIDS!! THEY R AWESOME!!

[@PlantzNThings]

+cynthia talbot you could try Logees.com they have a great selection of Fabulous plants

[@AraceaeFanatics]

Those Hostas are gorgeous. And I bet after 7 more years, this thing is huge.

[@PlantzNThings]

Thank you :)

[@Bcilloz]

I never bring mine in, I cut it back to the ground and cover it with oak leaves or pine straw during the winter. Once spring hits, they come back bigger and better!!

[@PlantzNThings]

That's Awesome!!! I wish I could do that. it would make life so much easier.. unfortunately I am just too cold. the freeze can go deep

[@Bcilloz]

PlantzNThings wow you must be up north, we can do that here in south because it really doesn’t stay cold for that long, longest cold period we have is about 45 days and even then it’s not a deep freeze for too long. Once the ground heats up, it’s on!

[@delcapslock100]

What state? I'm in Virginia Beach and wondering if I can pull that off here.

[@Naked_face_Naked_soul]

@mcbrideart what zone are you in I'm in NC wondering if I could do that.

[@JamesCouch777]

I live in northern Arkansas and all the people here leave their elephant ears in the ground. Although it can get pretty cold here, sometimes below zero, it doesn't stay cold very long. I am going to mulch mine about 6 inches deep to overwinter and hope for the best.

[@Everythingfreshandsassy]

Okay, I got my question answered. You did bring them inside. Now to find the video of their progress. I'm so glad to know you can do this. Thanks for making these videos!

[@PlantzNThings]

Sassy Green Garden Diva I'm happy you found your answer :) these are really fun plants to grow :)

[@dangsk3811]

Thanks so much for your videos on tropicals. I just started this year to grow bananas, cannas, and other tropical plants. I have learned a lot since subscribing a year ago to your channel. I am now crossing my fingers that the plants, bulbs, and rhizomes that I have brought in will make it through the winter. Pls keep up the good work. Thanks again.

[@PlantzNThings]

dangsk3811 Thank you for watching :) I so happy that you can find some of my experiences helpful. Good Luck with your Tropical gardening :)

[@barbara5912]

Thank you so much! I just received some tiger lillie bulbs in the mail that I need to put up for the winter and had no idea how to do it. Couldn't have come at a better time!

[@mothershipsexist]

Where can one find a time zone chart for locations that need to dig up and those that can just leave in the ground ?

[@TheOrganiclady]

Beautiful plant. Living in Orlando and am now going to look for one. Thanks!

[@wendysgarden7668]

They would do VERY well in Orolando! Dont need to dif them up like in this video. Im in San Diego and mine are outside all year round. In Maui they grown in water.

[@tmmlis002]

so interesting :) I don't care how big they are, those leaves and flowers would go straight into a massive vase on my dining table :)

[@PlantzNThings]

That would be SOOO impressive ..lol the vase would need to be super heavy...lol

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Amazing plant!

[@PlantzNThings]

Gardening at Douentza It's one of my Favorites. I wish my growing season was longer so I could really see this plants impressive size.

[@vanzrealm]

It’s so thoughtful of you to think about the plant, and not let it deal with the stress.

[@sharikaraman5896]

Such a nice plant

[@LL-rb8wd]

Everything inside me was screaming 'noooooooooooooo' lol. Especially seeing it had a new leaf, but I guess, had to be done right?! 😭😱

[@PlantzNThings]

Yea... my winter would kill it for sure... needs a little tough love when it comes inside for winter

[@smokefree08]

@@PlantzNThings what zone are you in?

[@aliciamay1909]

Love this guy! Where have you been all my life?!!

[@Brad.W]

This is why I am glad I live in zone 8b no need to be digging up my elephant ears every year like this.

[@PlantzNThings]

That sounds like a Dream :)

[@Sayfeijai]

These plants are edible. In vietnam, the make a sweet and sour soup with it

[@Barbara-mz9nt]

They’re too beautiful

[@wallaceglennsanders4726]

@@Barbara-mz9nt and m

[@Jazzinthecountry]

I'm about 3 weeks from bringing my 5 yr old plant in. This has been a marvelous year for them, I have one with 5 foot leaves on it. I also had a bonafide volunteer pop up in my garden and nearly reach 4 feet from scratch. Anyways I like to push them till the bitter end , usually early October.

[@getAMCIVideos]

That's one giant of a plant, beautiful.

[@PlantzNThings]

Diverse Videos Enterprises It sure is :) I wish we had a longer season... I would love to see how big this plant could actually grow. If in 4-5 months it gets this big... what would it do in a few years?..

[@getAMCIVideos]

Good question? I'm not a plant expert but my theory is that it would probably grow just a little more, not too much more though?

[@_kimiadventures]

Oh wait no it’s not Billy I’m digging whole plant up to pot indoors I love huge plants inside 👍🏽

[@gregmeeks2753]

i plant mine in huge pots and they live through the winter ! hugel iving room plant !!!

[@tedscott1478]

I've just ordered one of these online, to grow in England. I don't think it will grow quite as big as yours in this country, but I can dream and hope👍🤞

[@PlantzNThings]

You might be surprised... The first year, it might not get massive... But the second.. Expect big leaves :)

[@kimuseni]

Thanks

[@TheJamieleegood]

Beauty! I'm hoping to pot mine up and grow it indoors for winter.

[@PlantzNThings]

jamie goodwin Good Choice... these giants don't easily go dormant like other varieties of elephant ears. I grow mine in the house over winter as well.. just a helpful note... they guys are whitefly and spider mite magnets in the house so stock up on your supplies :)

[@AAHomeGardening]

Super lovely

[@vandeweyerpeter]

Thanks for the Elho scoop tip!

[@bmcg123]

So flippin cool!

[@PlantzNThings]

I know Right!!! Elephant ears are Amazing!

[@g-man5809]

Dude, what's up, I have a similar plant it's a little smaller, but it / she has produced many babies and seeds that I've planted, given a-way or put in flower pots all around my porch. It's awsome giving these away, my crops; that leaf is taller than half your height and your a beast, you said your 6'6", that 6' foot fence us no match for you. ,Your educational video is, much appreciated sir. Your information will be utilized, not to overwater my plants. My plants are all potted outside year round, they get Simi-dormant when it's under 60 degrees sometimes it drops to about 40 degrees over here, but the leaves keep sprouting up, no flowers until it gets warmer in spring. Pasadena, California, Peace

[@Rose-wo8bh]

Couldn't you have covered it with bubble wrap and tape it up instead of digging it up?

[@palmdaddy]

Excellent

[@georgegoertzen4723]

Why don't you make your own stepping stones using the leaves of this as the mould? Next year, if you planned ahead, you could use a variety of your large leaves to give you some variety of stepping stones to choose from without having to sacrifice a leaves during the high growing season. Make your stones a few days or the week ahead of the day you plan to move your plant(s) indoors. They would make such a statement or conversational piece in front of YOUR porch. There are lots of really good instructional videos on the internet that. You are so lucky to have such wealth to choose from. I have a neighbour in Downtown TO, who grows a few in a highly shaded spot near my local dog park and as much as I covet his leaves, (his plants, even, though I could never over winter them), I've never approached to ask for one as I know how much work goes into keeping these plants in our area, especially for him as he only has deeply shaded gardens available on his property and I know I wouldn't like to part with even one of the leaves were I in his situation.

[@chitracoulton7926]

good job ,flowers are looking beautiful

[@PlantzNThings]

Chitra Coulton Thanks :) The flowers on this elephant ear are far more showy than most that i've seen.

[@arthursnow969]

Where can you buy the bulb? Can you just cut leaves back and store in dry cool place?

[@gailmacias3]

Your plant is amazing. A friend living at my apartments had one on her patio I’d say small to medium. She gave me one in a small pot with two leaves . Kinda like the babies in the pot you have after cutting yours. It was doing well and started getting a third leaf and the second leaf died . It has been repeatedly doing this for three years now .Every time a new leaf comes out one dies .Have you ever heard of this? I even re potted it so it could have more room to grow. And nothings changed. Any idea why?

[@PlantzNThings]

Its very common... most of mine only ever have 2 or 3 nice leaves at a time... when they have more root space (planted in the ground) I have gotten up to 5 leaves... but this thailand giant has never had more than 3 leaves per plant for me

[@MiscellaneousMichelle]

Because of you I'm hooked on the Thailand giant elephant ear lollll seriously though

[@lemusiciensolitaire8792]

I wannnna give them a huggggg♡♡♡

[@juanmonroy882]

Saludos de México brother.

[@afshanahmed8762]

I just got some Colocasia baby plants from a local nursery in 4 inch pots. It’s almost fall and I’m in a zone 5. I wanna keep them as a house plant.. can you advise how should I care for them. Should I repot them and will they grow in winter? Any tips and advice is greatly appreciated!

[@estrellitatolentino5620]

Besutiful. Oh

[@mvirata7310]

Huge baby you got there..can you recall how long has it been in the ground until you dug it and placed it in the pot?

[@PlantzNThings]

Maybe 4 months... our season is short... plant out end of May and put out late Sept early October

[@Puertorrican1969]

beautiful

[@medhibiswajit4721]

I'm enjoying lunch with colacasia pork curry and some boiled rice here in North East India.😀😝

[@deej9697]

Thanks for the video. Do you spray the plant before bringing it in the house…to get rid of bugs they might get on other houseplants? I have read that bringing elephant ears indoors will bring the in mites with it.

[@PlantzNThings]

i try to spray everything down with an insecticidal soap when they come in... but to be honest elephant ears are spider mite magnets.. you'll likely need to clean the leaves regularly when they're in the house to keep the pest population in check.

[@marant6143]

I am loving all your videos on bananas and giant plants. I've taken the blunge and just bought a small (1 ft tall) Alocasia 'Calidora' in a small 4" pot. It only has 2 leaves so I'm wondering if I should I cut it back to let it rejuvenate over winter or can I try to grow it indoors so that it's bigger when it goes in the ground in the spring? I'm in zone 5a (ahhh!).

[@PlantzNThings]

I would grow it as a houseplant... i think your plant is a little small you survive a full winter dormancy... and i find that those alocasia don't really like to go dormant easily...

[@lindagray7906]

My goodness, I could replace this plant for a chair in my living room..! lol Love growing big odd plants. Need 1 do you have a link for purchase?

[@samritisharma2641]

I can give you free of cost.

[@gardenermd]

NIce going. Sound advice.

[@dougramsay5576]

Do you have any problems with spider mites bringing them into the house.

[@robertawestbrooks9531]

Beautiful

[@greek_sahab]

Awesome video, thanks so much! I have just got a tiny one and planted it in my garden in Greece. At what night temperatures do you bring the plant indoors? I have heard it does not take less than 15 C which would only give me 5 months of growing season

[@sharonanderson6081]

When the time comes to cut my leaves off, I am going to take a couple of the largest and make concrete bird baths out of them. I made a couple years ago and I am going to try my hand at it again. All it takes is sand to form them on and a couple bags of dry concrete mix. I oiled the leaves before the concrete and used glad wrap so the leaf didn't stick to the concrete. I am not too good at creative painting so I will look for someone to help me.

[@LiliansGardens]

I just bought some cocoyams from the market. i intend to plant them. Should I palant the whole bulb(corm)or should I eat half ... or at least cut it up ubefore sowing

[@PlantzNThings]

I plant the whole thing

[@Maritime-Tropical]

Enjoyed the video!! I actually have so Thai Giants growing from seed. Do you still overwinter the Thai Giant? Any tips that wasn't covered in the vid?

[@jjbentley9]

Peice lily are in the same family aroids

[@FloridaBikeVlogger]

is that yellowing along the top from too much sun?

[@03laksh]

Hi! From all the videos I have seen so far, yours has been one of the best detailed ones. In the video, tou state about overwintering Banana. Please can you share the link...I somehow cannot find it.

[@PlantzNThings]

I'll look and see what I can find...

[@johnharris4660]

I live in Miami they stay this way all year

[@PlantzNThings]

That would be AMAZING!!! They'd be HUGE!!!

[@dennismaxfield4936]

I grow taioba the Brazilian version I eat the leaves cooked.

[@daleh1994]

So many questions... Just use regular potting soil? Also, how much light and what temp for over the winter?

[@PlantzNThings]

I believe i answered your question on facebook... if i didn't please let me know :)

[@joeycutajar572]

Hi l got some colocasia esculenta gigantic seed and i plant them like 15 days ago and still nothing..mine are planted under some soil.so today i dig 4 out and plant them above the soil and i noticed the red cover is gone and they got harder

[@MaikasCooking]

Omg Vietnamese eat that. It's call bạc hà nấu canh chua. It's 100% edible.

[@PlantzNThings]

cool

[@MaikasCooking]

@@PlantzNThings 👍 try it at a Vietnamese restaurant or cook it yourself since you're just cutting it off there 😊

[@WesleyAPEX]

You only have a 5 month growing season? Here in Dallas we have a 8 month growing season

[@PlantzNThings]

+WesleyAPEX Lucky! I bet your plants get HUGE

[@lbowsk]

Prob is you need to live in Dallas to get that. I'll take another location.

[@ambersykora352]

pshh I grow year round for the most part if I cover them with blankets on some nights where the Temps dip to freezing. they can survive winter here though if you mulch very deeply to insulate

[@lostinmyspace4910]

Im not sure why you would add water if the plant is going dormant and going inside like a basement or crawlspace. Why so much water? I've read you can winterize in pearlite and vermiculite combination then place in cold climate like a cool/cold basement For people storing in a crawlspace, make sure you protect it from mice chewing for moisture, so use a very small wire net or build a frame around it.

[@bellaguzica3646]

Can you not water it at all once it’s brought in? My banana stays bone dry and comes back beautifully every year. I just don’t want to ruin the colocassia bulbs by depriving them of water in the winter. A tad confused. I’m a beginner. Thanks!

[@SPUPRR]

Will they survive in the ground where temperatures only get down to 20s at night and 30s and 40s in day from time to time. Not long cold spells normally.

[@reneebarry2542]

Can this be done with Elephant Ears to bring them inside for the winter?

[@MichaelSmithManup]

Flowers stunt the growth of the EE

[@arthursnow969]

Where can you buy the bulb?

[@dacapo9777]

Hello my friend Like 870👍👍👍😀😀😀😀

[@HaiEdison]

where can I buy Colocasia Gigantea Thailand

[@ingevanrheenen2891]

Why did you squash that small leave?

[@samikent5422]

Amazing! Thanks for the information. By the way, what's the name of the climbing plant in the background behind the elephant ear? Much love and respect from Turkey.

[@ruthhilton6608]

I just received bulbs in mail today when should I plant them, and what should I do now

[@juanitaiveyivey]

I love tall men

[@justforfun6742]

Sorry I have girlfriend 😁

[@MrChip123472]

Massive beautiful plant! Was that started from a nursery plant, or from seed?

[@PlantzNThings]

MrChipGardener It was started from a nursery plant.

[@gloriannamani1123]

What a waste ...yummy in the hands of the clever...edible bro...

[@lorettaturner9144]

Do you need to worry about outside bugs?

[@debbieheger3001]

I have an elephant ear for the 1st time this past summer, I love it. l dug it up today to overwinter. I have 3 small new growth plants that I have potted. I love your video"s. I watched today to get an up date on how to do this. I live in Mississippi. so we have an 8 to 10 month this year growing season. My Zinnia's and Mandavilla's and Petunia's are all still blooming.. Are we able to contact you personally with questions,

[@sparklymita]

hi , then what did you do with the leaves? can we propagate only with the leaf? i need to know.thanks

[@PlantzNThings]

I dont believe these will root from just a leaf... i think it needs to me seed or division

[@rvalenew1962]

So, we pot them up for the winter? Why not remove all the soil and roots and let them dry like when we bought the bulb in the Spring?

[@PlantzNThings]

I do that with some elephant ears... but some don't go dormant well. this Thailand Giant doesn't produce a big corm... and I have not had luck waking them up... they just rot. keeping them alive over winter ensures I have a plant for spring.... the colocasia esculenta easily goes dormant and wakes with little fail

[@imaniswift14]

Why couldn’t the leaves stay when you brought them in ?

[@PlantzNThings]

Space is a huge reason... also when you remove a lot of the root system the plant can't support all of the leaves... as new roots grow it will be able to support some more leaves.

[@kcb3rd]

Mine always seen to grow smaller leaves each your. Normal?

[@claetonjackson2807]

Need a longer shovel! LOL

[@TAP6TS]

good luck with them :)

[@PlantzNThings]

An Po Thank you :)

[@hera6341]

sorry, i do not know your method with newspaper

[@greenkitty79]

This giant elephant ear is fascinating. Where can I find it? Is it only sold by the bulb and online? Can I only grow it indoors?

[@PlantzNThings]

+Green Kitty The Thailand Giant is usually sold as a plant... I have seen it both in stores and online. the Thai Giant doesn't seem to like to go dormant like other elephant ears.

[@suzieankrah1350]

Can you plant taro roots in New Jersey USA

[@PlantzNThings]

You can plant them anywhere... but if you get hard freezes you might need to lift them in the fall and replant in the spring

[@dis82]

Do garden centres normally have this plant? I'm in Hamilton, I have a elephant ear plant (not sure scientific name) and that is still fairly young. I would love one like you have

[@tacotac10]

Did it come back well the following year?

[@PlantzNThings]

yes.. it gets smaller in the house... but when it goes outside again it usually doesn't take long for the bigger leaves to start

[@leverdureinzucca]

hello can you help me I hope .. I find the seeds but when should I sow that period? I'm in Italy, thanks

[@sheilab_34]

Thank you for this as it’s very informative. Question: I live in zone 8a and just ordered some. Would I be okay to leave these out during winter? Our last two winters have been fairly mild with only a few nights below freezing. Could I chop off the leaves and cover them up for nights that are going to be below freezing or would that still be too much stress for the plant?

[@PlantzNThings]

Many are hardy to zone 8 with some protection... you might be able to get away with a heavy layer of mulch...

[@sheilab_34]

PlantzNThings i May try to do that but in the off chance we get a worse winter this year I’ll move them inside just to be safe. I do have many bags of mulch in the garage. Thank you for the reply!

[@hpeteacher9445]

Hi Bill! How are you? Awesome plants. Shame to see those huge leaves cut. Do you recommend using systemic insect killer to water with before bringing outside plants inside? I havd a gorgeous Mandevelia and I am afraid of Fungus Gnats hitch hiking in too. Please let me know what you think. Thanks! Gerry

[@PlantzNThings]

hey there :) systemic is a slippery slope... if I was able to use it for plants I'm bringing in ... I would for sure... but I would try not using it on anything that is staying outside... the issue with systemic is in not only kills the bad bugs... it can harm the beneficial ones too... like bees... use caution... but it will help you when the plants come inside

[@hpeteacher9445]

Thanks for your reply. I value your opinion, since your plants are gorgeous. A neighbor brought one of her big plants back inside and had an infestation of Fungus Gnats. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Gerry 😎

[@Luckelux]

Can you do this with Canna Lilly ?

[@lisamann62]

Yes. I have wintered them in my cool basement several years.

[@jackbenjaminJr]

Can you leave them in a dark basement over winter?

[@PlantzNThings]

with many Colocasia they are easily stored dormant in a dark place. but with these thailand giants I have not had them successfully come back after being dormant. the corm/bulb rots before they can really start growing. The Thai giant i try to keep at least 1 leaf on the plant over winter.

[@jackbenjaminJr]

@@PlantzNThings so what should I do in zone 6?

[@janiehall6095]

Hello where can I get bulbs of this plant?

[@lakeiaburgess2902]

I am so tickeled at how big those leaves are🤣

[@PlantzNThings]

They get so big so quickly in my short summer... I wish my season was longer to see it's full potential

[@mimigingrasbirdlady]

Why do you treat the Alocasia and Colocasia differently?

[@PlantzNThings]

They are different plants :) what differences are you asking about? There are a few :)

[@gatorfan2359]

Hey I pulled a pup off of my plant last summer. Its already giant. I was trying to think of the best place to plant it the ones I currently have are in the south west corner of a eastern facing house. The front of the house has drainage issues and the only thing I can get to grow there consistently are tulips. What are your thoughts as to best location direction wise?

[@PlantzNThings]

Gator Fan not too sure... the best place is a well lit spot that is protected from wind. make sure to use lots of organic material when digging the hole... and you might need to water these daily... when actively growing they are water pigs.