Elephant Ears and the Cana Lily

Hello Stan

I would like to know what to do to elephant ears and canna lillies to keep them over for the winter. Is it possible to keep the elephant ears going in the house? Thanks I enjoy your program. Regards.

Chris in Carvel

Chris - Good to hear from you. I'm not sure I know what you are calling 'elephant ears'. The common name can refer to a rex begonia, the bergenia and sometimes a very tender large leafed colocasia. If the leaves are about 12 to 14 inches in diameter, it will be the colocasia or gunnera, yet another 'elephant ear' thingy. At any rate they are not winter hardy and are stored as you keep potatoes or other less hardy root systems or organs. The cana lily is of the same care. If the plants are still in the ground, let them have a mild frost so the leaves show the damage and also the upper part of the stem. Dig them and lay them out for 2 or 3 hours, then let the soil fall away from the root systems The clinging soil.. leave on and store them on 3 inches of dry peat moss or soil.

Do not pull or cut the stems or leaves off the plants until the dry - sometime in January or February. Cover just over the root systems with the peat or soil and store in a cool dry room with but a modicum of light that could be a bit of natural light or a Christmas tree size light. Repot when new growth shows, sometime in Feb. or March.

Good luck