Question
My girfriend and I have recently purchased an Elephant Ear house plant from a nursery. We brought it home and transplanted into an 18" pot. Its been about 3 weeks and we've noticed that two of the stalks have begun to get soft in the middle and begun to wither. We have already cut one of the stalks thinking it would save the other, but to no avail the other one it dying aswel. Please help us save our beautiful houseplant. Im not sure exactly what kind of Elephant Ear it is, but it has all green huge leaves and is about 2.5' tall with 3 good sprouts left and 2 new ones on the way. Any help would be appreciated

Answer
Andrew,

Elephant ears are not indoor plants. It should be outdoors in full sun. It probably shriveled because it is not getting enough light. Move it outdoors and I beleive it will perk up and grow more stalks. It can stay in the pot but do not overwater it. Water it when it is dry but do not leave it sitting in a drain tray full of water as that will rot the roots. In the fall when it starts dying back let it dry out, cut off the foliage and sit it in a cool basement or an attached insulated garage that does not freeze. In the spring when night temperatures are above 50 degrees you can set it back outdoors and start watering it again. Then the tuburous roots will send out new stalks and you can enjoy it another summer. Good luck.

Darlene