So I have an idea. Big Lots carries outdoor containers/pots that have no drainage holes. That always bugged me... until today! I'm wondering if they would be perfect? From what I am reading, colocasia like it very wet - in fact you can submerge them in pots in water/pond. I would like to stick these in the ground, but I do not want to deal with runners and an invasive plant. I think I am going to pick up a couple of those very cheap pots at Big Lots and sink those in the ground with my new bulbs. Help me - is there anything bad about this idea?

Carol

I am much further south then you so I don't know if they could stay out all winter for you, like they do for me. But most of them, like mojito, go down for the winter even here, then come back again when the days get longer. I have them planted right in the ground. But for you pots might be better so you can bring them in when it's too cold.

Katkin, thanks for the help. Do you have any problems with them spreading? How aggressive are they?

Carol

I'm quite a bit south of you. I've got a few different types of elephant ears, all planted in the ground. They die back in a frost but come back quickly. They seem very picky about their site. Some are doing great, with huge leaves, and have spread a little, others in other parts of the yard are struggling and just have a few small leaves. I can't figure out why some are doing so much better than others, the conditions are very similar.

We inherited some when we got the house last year. They were pretty sad looking because it was just after the freezes. I almost took them out. They are bordered by cement walkway on 2 sides and grass on the other 2. They want to spread, but my lawnmower and string trimmer easily keep them at bay. I could see how they could take over as part of a bed. The roots don't seem to go very deep, so a pot might work. Mine were mostly killed to the ground by the cold, but are rebounding nicely again this year.

When I lived in Jax(Mandarin)I had them planted by my AC drainage. They grew huge, froze and came back every year. I just mowed off the runners I didn't want. I'm starting some now to plant by my AC for shade.

I have a few planted in the drainage swale to cover the openings of the drainage culverts.They die back with the first freezes,but re-grow in the Spring.Mine are planted out in full sun & seem to be able to handle it,but I think that is because they are constantly in moist conditions.They are not spreading fast & are easily contained.Hope this helps