How to Separate Elephant Ear Bulbs

The elephant ear plant produces large tropical leaves that resemble an elephant's ear. The size, shape and coloring vary among the many varieties. While some are grown inside the home as houseplants, when planted outside this plant creates the illusion of a tropical paradise. Hardy in USDA zones 8 and 9, elephant ear reproduces via underground bulbs. Separated bulbs can be replanted immediately in tropical regions or stored for the winter and planted in the spring in cooler locations.

Garden spade or fork
Garden hose
Sharp knife
Crate
Peat moss or sawdust

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the foliage back to 4 inches from the ground to make digging and handling the bulbs easier.
- 2
  Dig around the base of the elephant ear plant in the fall once the foliage has been killed by the first light frost. Begin digging approximately 6 inches from the base of the plant.
- 3
  Slide the blade of the spade under the bulbs to loosen and lift them from the soil
- 4
  Wash the soil from the bulbs with the sprayer attachment on your hose.
- 5
  Separate bulbs by gently pulling them apart or cut fused bulbs with a sharp knife.
- 6
  Replant the bulbs in a similar location in tropical regions or place them in a well-ventilated crate partially filled with moist peat moss or sawdust for winter storage. Cover the bulbs with 3 to 4 inches of peat moss and store at temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Bulbs