Commercial Elephant Ears in Winter: They're Composted, Not Saved

What Happens to Those Huge Tropical Plants After the Season?

If you've admired massive elephant ears (Colocasia, Alocasia) in commercial landscapes and wondered if they're saved over winter—the answer is almost always no. Landscapers typically compost them.

Why They Don't Save Them

• Labor cost: Digging, cleaning, storing, and replanting costs more than buying new
• Scheduling: Fall crews are on tight timelines; no time for bulb harvesting
• Storage space: Requires climate-controlled facilities
• Risk: Rot, desiccation, and pest issues in storage

Can You Get Them?

If you see a crew removing plants, ask politely for the discarded corms. Some will give them away. But don't expect a call—logistics make it impractical. Your best bet: buy your own in spring and overwinter them yourself (dig after frost, dry, store in peat at 50–60°F).