Q: This is an elephant ear blooming in the front of my house. It also bloomed last year. How often do you think this will happen? Some of my plants haven’t bloomed in 9 years!!
A: Elephant ear is in the same family as peace lily and anthurium, the common houseplants. Their blooms are technically called spaths. Botanically, a spath is a bract (modified leaf) enclosing a spadix (fleshy spike of tiny flowers). If the flowers are pollinated, tiny “berries” will form along the spadix. Save them to plant outdoors in spring.
I can’t say how often flowering will occur. My guess is that older, crowded plants will bloom more often than newly-planted elephant ears.
Elephant ear plants are treasured for their huge, heart-shaped leaves that bring a tropical look to gardens and containers. But did you know that elephant ears can also produce flowers? While the foliage is the main attraction, elephant ear flowers can be an interesting bonus in the right conditions. Read on to learn all about elephant ear blooms.
Do Elephant Ears Flower?
The short answer is yes, elephant ear plants can flower when mature and happy in their environment. However, blooms are not very common, especially in temperate climates like the Midwest. Here are some more details on elephant ear flowering:
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Elephant ears flower once they reach maturity, which takes a few years. Young plants focus energy on leaf growth.
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Getting adequate warmth and sunlight encourages elephant ears to bloom. They are more likely to flower in tropical zones.
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Cooler regions often don’t provide the right conditions for elephant ears to expend energy on flowering. The season ends before maturity.
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Many gardeners remove elephant ear flowers so the plant directs energy to foliage instead, Big leaves take priority over blooms,
So in essence, elephant ears are capable of flowering but conditions need to be just right. Don’t be surprised if your elephant ears never bloom. The good news is the leaves alone deliver drama to the landscape!
What Do Elephant Ear Flowers Look Like?
The flowers of elephant ears are rather unassuming especially in comparison to the bold foliage. They appear in late summer on mature plants. Here are the characteristics of elephant ear blooms
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Flowers emerge on a spike called an inflorescence rising above the leaves. The spike may branch into smaller florets.
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Blooms are enclosed in a leaf-like structure called a spathe. The thin, pale spathe partially surrounds the spike.
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True flowers emerge from the spike within the spathe. They are tiny and pale in color, often green, white or yellowish.
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The spike of small flowers is known as a spadix. It contains the reproductive parts of the bloom.
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When pollinated, flowers develop into clusters of red or orange berries which may persist into winter.
Elephant ear blooms resemble their other aroid relatives like calla lilies and peace lilies. Don’t expect large, showy flowers. The blooms are interesting but understated.
Caring for Elephant Ears Through Flowering
To encourage elephant ears to bloom, provide optimal care as they mature:
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Plant in full sun to partial shade. At least 6 hours of direct sun is ideal. Filtered shade prevents leaf scorch.
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Enrich soil with compost or nutrient rich potting mix. Good drainage is key.
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Provide ample water and fertilizer during the growing season for strong growth.
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Give mature plants more sunlight if possible and taper off fertilizer late in summer.
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In cold climates, bring potted plants indoors before frost to overwinter.
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Remove spent flowers if desired, but leave spring growth intact for the season.
With the right conditions, you may be rewarded with elephant ear blooms before foliage dies back in fall. But don’t fret if your plants never flower. The magnificent leaves are the main event!
Tips for Growing Flowering Elephant Ears
Elephant ears add a bold, tropical flair whether they bloom or not. Here are some tips for successfully growing these flowering plants:
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Select named cultivars known for flowering like ‘Illustris’, ‘Intrepid’, ‘Marmaduke’, and ‘Zebrina’. Avoid generic bulbs.
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Start with bulbs or young plants each season for faster maturity and flowering. Mature bulbs flower more readily.
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Give plants a long growing season by starting indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date.
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Plant in rich, moist soil amended with compost. Avoid wet or compacted sites.
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Fertilize regularly during the growing season for vigorous plants. Taper off late summer.
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Prune back leaves and stems in late fall after they are damaged by frost.
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In zones below 9, dig up bulbs and store dormant over winter in a frost free location.
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Start bulbs indoors again next spring and plant outside after the danger of frost passes.
With excellent care and favorable conditions, you can increase the odds of your elephant ears eventually flowering. Remember that blooms are not guaranteed, especially in regions with shorter summers. Focus on growing healthy, happy plants and look at flowers as a potential bonus.
Common Questions About Elephant Ear Flowers
If you are curious about flowering elephant ears, here are some commonly asked questions:
When do elephant ears flower?
Elephant ears bloom in late summer or early fall after a few years of growth. Mature plants are most likely to flower before going dormant.
How long do elephant ear flowers last?
Individual elephant ear blooms only last a day or two. But the flowering spike remains for several weeks as different blooms open in succession. Berries may linger on the plants into winter if seed pods form.
Should I remove elephant ear flowers?
This is purely optional! Removing spent blooms conserves the plant’s energy. But allowing seeds to develop can produce new plants. Just know that foliage size may be smaller when flowers are left on.
In the end, be patient with your elephant ears and don’t be dismayed if they never flower. The dramatic foliage provides plenty of visual impact on its own. But if your plants do bloom, enjoy it as an exotic bonus!