Canadian Gardening asked Pot Luck columnist Beckie Fox for inside advice on using elephant ears in containers:
CG: What are the opportunities/challenges of designing with elephant ears?
BF: As they say, go big or go home. Here’s a chance to add drama to your potscape. Plant singly or
use as a focal point in a mixed container. Short cultivars remind me of parasols.
CG: What kind of hardscaping (i.e., structures, paving, fencing; colours and materials) works well with these plants?
BF: Substantial, bold, contemporary-style containers in matte black, dark brown or burgundy set off their flamboyant foliage. White-veined cultivars look striking grown in a white pot.
CG: How would you integrate pots of elephant ears into the landscape? Where should they be sited?
BF: They’re perfect in contemporary settings, such as on an expansive, tiered deck. Place them near a seating area, where you can appreciate the intricate ribbing and veining of the leaves.
CG: Any caveats?
BF: These plants sucker, so use a sturdy pot that doesn’t split or crack easily. Their stems grow
longer in shade.
