Hi Everyone! New to site, seeking help. Live in "DaBoot" Louisiana. I've had these elephant ears in my front yard for about six years. I'm not a gardner, I got little cuttings from my mother-in-law and they grew like crazy. Each spring I'd just cut way the dead leaves and they always grew back. This winter we had "snow" several times!!! (Fun for Southern LA!). Cleaned my flower beds and attempted to cut away the dead leaves and the base of the plants are like marshmellows. Real soft inside, white and slimy. I guess it's some sort of mold. Should I just did them up and toss?
Leave them in place. Many times they will regenerate from fragments of roots in the soil, even if the main bulb has rotted away to nothing. Here in Texas they've waited as late as June to show any new growth.
Saltcedar's advice is right on. Can you post a photo of the plants? There are close to 1000 different species that get the common name "Elephant Ear" so the chances of them returning would depend on the species. If you don't have good photos I'll give you some names to look up on the net. I'll give you the scientific name since you'll have a much better chance of finding a good photo. Check these out and then let us know if any of them look like your plant: Philodendron bipinnatifidum Philodendron selloum (same as above, just a synonym name) Also try the genus name Philodendron. There are close to 1000 species but the right photo just might pop up Monstera deliciosa Colocasia esculenta (this species can take on over 100 different shapes) Alocasia odora Also, look up the genus name Alocasia, you may just find the right photo Xanthosoma sagittifolium These are the most common species names that get the common name "Elephant Ear" but there are many more. If you find a photo that is close, copy the link and post it here and we'll try to help. All of these species are extremely variable so just look for a photo that is close. If the stem of the plant was frozen hard it may not survive. Folks in Houston and as far south as Fort Lauderdale, FL lost tons of these.
