Zone Notes

General USDA Hardiness Zones and Growing Recommendations:

Zones 8 and Warmer:

  • The plants can stay outside but will need a blanket of leaves and grass
  • Let the frost desiccate the elephant’s ear’s stems naturally. Cutting leads to rot
  • Mow over fallen tree leaves and lawn grass to chop them up
  • Wrap chicken wire around the plant, and reinforce it with rebar posts stuck into the ground. The wire should be 16 inches from the central stems and tall enough to hold a 6-inch depth of leaves around the base of the plant
  • Fill the cage with the prepared leaf-and-grass mixture, and uncover the plants after the last spring frost

Zones Below 8:

  • The plants need to come indoors.
  • Cut stems to 6 inches tall after the first frost
  • Place the tubers in a bulb crate, plastic pot, or grocery bag, and lightly cover the tubers with a mix of peat and soil
  • Dampen the mixture with water, and set the container in a cool, dark place to make sure the plant stays dormant. Keep the tubers moist but not wet; wet roots will rot.

Additional USDA Hardiness Zones and Growing Recommendations:

Zones 9–11 (Warm Climates) – Perennial Growth

  • Example States: Southern Florida, Southern Texas, Louisiana, Hawaii, Southern California
  • Colocasia can stay in the ground year-round.
  • Requires regular watering and thrives in warm, humid conditions.
  • Mulching helps retain soil moisture.
  • No winter protection is needed.

Zone 8 (Mild Winter) – Marginal Perennial Growth

  • Example States: Coastal South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Northern Florida, Eastern Texas
  • Can survive winter in the ground with heavy mulch for insulation.
  • Cut back foliage after the first frost.
  • If winters are unpredictable, consider lifting and storing bulbs.

Zones 3–7 (Cold Climates) – Annual Growth or Bulb Storage Required

  • Example States: Most of the Midwest (Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin), Northern and Central Plains (Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota), Northeast (New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine), and Mountain West (Colorado, Utah, Montana)
  • Plant bulbs in spring after the last frost.
  • In fall, dig up bulbs before the first hard freeze.
  • Dry bulbs for a few days, then store in a cool, dry place (50–60°F).
  • Replant in spring when soil temperatures reach at least 65°F.

Finding Your Exact Zone:

Use the USDA Hardiness Zone Map to determine your specific zone and adjust care accordingly. By following these guidelines, you can successfully grow Colocasia in any region, whether as a perennial in warm climates or by overwintering bulbs in cooler areas.