Elephant ears and caladium need to be lifted each fall; with rare exception, they will not survive the winter outside.

Caladiums in particular like warm soil temperatures. The best way to get maxiumum growth with them is to pot them them up in March and grow them on inside until late May or June. This way the colorful foliage will be growing already when the soil is warm enough outside.

Some caladiums will burn if you plant them in the sun; others like the sun (kind of like coleus).

Elephant ears are a little more forgiving and can grow in mostly shade to full sun, especially if they have lots of moisture in full sun.

Thx so much! I found a huge post on EE's here on another thread.... I had no idea there were different varieties and their preferences. I'll have to grab some pots and potting soil and have fun next weekend! Thanks so much!

We have kept both Black Magic and Colocasia escalanta bulbs growing inside in a sunny window this year in Chevy Chase and we have other bulbs stored for replanting in late spring. I have occasionally discovered Colocosia escalate growing in our sandy yard in Severna Park when I haven't dug quite everything up, but resurgence is definitely erratic and depends on many things. Too much water, too long a freeze, etc.

What is the root spread for these? Are they only very fine roots? or more substantial? Waiting for Spring is sooo difficult!!