How to grow Elephant Ears

Bergenia cordifolia

Dappled Sun
OR
Partial Sun
Medium

Not fussy about soil type or pH as long as it is reasonably free-draining but moist. Dislikes very hot or dry conditions. Sun or semi-shade. Will tolerate exposed areas. Propagate by division, or by taking cuttings of the rhizomes in autumn or spring. H4 hardy in UK.

Bergenia will succede in domandino areas of dry shade but they prefer damper conditions to grow profusely. Winter foliage colour is best in poor soil conditions

Keep the clumps tidy by removing old leaves and rhizomes
Divide clumps every 3 to 5 years. To avoid old clumps becoming exposed in the centre. Root young rhizomes in sand or in soil.¹

Growing Elephant ears from seed

Sow fresh seed in early spring in pots or modules using standard peat free compost or fine propagating bark. Cover with pearlite or vermiculite and keep at 20C Germination may take up to 4 weeks.
Not all seeds will come true to parent plant

Soil temperature should be kept higher than 18°C / 64°F to ensure good germination.

Transplanting Elephant ears

Best in poor well drained soil in full sun but will tolerate dry shade
Divide old clumps to refresh plant

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Elephant ears is a very hardy plant.

Seed Saving Elephant ears

Sow fresh seed

How long does Elephant ears take to grow?

These estimates for how long Elephant ears takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

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Days to Maturity How long until Elephant ears is ready for harvest / bloom?: + days
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Footnotes

¹ finegardening.com/bergenia-cordifolia