Storing Cannas, Elephant Ears, and Caladiums Over Winter
North of about Zone 8, lift cannas and elephant ears right after the first light frost blackens the foliage, and lift caladiums earlier, once nights start dropping below about 55°F. Cut stems back to a few inches, let the rhizomes, corms, or tubers dry for one to two weeks in a shaded, airy spot, then store them in a box of barely damp peat moss, coir, or vermiculite at about 45°F to 55°F for cannas and elephant ears and 60°F to 70°F for caladiums.
These tropicals are some of the most expensive summer plants to buy every spring, and they store well with a little care. The two mistakes that ruin them are storing them too wet, which causes rot, and storing them too cold, which kills caladiums in particular.
Why each plant gets different timing
- Cannas and elephant ears tolerate a touch of cold. A light frost on the leaves signals dormancy and does not hurt the underground parts.
- Caladiums are cold-sensitive. Tubers stored or left in soil below about 50°F can rot or fail to sprout.
- Curing toughens the skin. A short drying period seals cuts and reduces rot in storage.
- Storage temperature controls rot and sprouting. Too warm and they sprout early; too cold and they turn soft.
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- Label each variety before lifting so colors and sizes are easy to sort in spring.
- Dig wide around clumps with a spading fork to avoid slicing rhizomes and corms.
- Shake or gently rinse off soil, then cut stems to 2 to 4 inches.
- Cure in a shaded, dry, frost-free spot for one to two weeks.
- Discard any soft, moldy, or hollow pieces before storage.
- Pack in ventilated boxes or crates with barely damp peat moss, coir, or vermiculite.
- Check monthly; mist the medium if pieces shrivel, remove any that rot.
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Peat moss or vermiculite for packing, a digging fork, and waterproof plant labels. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Storage at a glance
| Plant | When to lift | Cure time | Storage temp | Packing medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cannas | After first light frost | 1 to 2 weeks | 45°F to 55°F | Barely damp peat or coir |
| Elephant ears (Colocasia) | After first light frost | 1 to 2 weeks | 45°F to 55°F | Dry peat or vermiculite |
| Elephant ears (Alocasia) | Before frost | Bring indoors in pot | Above 60°F | Grow as a houseplant |
| Caladiums | Nights below 55°F | 1 to 2 weeks | 60°F to 70°F | Dry peat or vermiculite |
Alocasia types often sulk or rot when stored dormant, so many gardeners pot them up and keep them as houseplants in a bright window. See our humidity trays and grouping guide for keeping tropical foliage happy indoors.
Can you store them in their pots?
Yes. If cannas or elephant ears grew in containers, cut the tops back after frost, let the soil dry, and move the whole pot into a cool basement or attached garage that stays above freezing. Water once a month just enough to keep the roots from shriveling. This is the easiest method and avoids digging.
Where is the best storage spot?
A basement, crawl space, or insulated garage that stays cool but never freezes works for cannas and elephant ears. Caladiums need warmer conditions, so a closet or a room away from exterior walls is better. Avoid furnace rooms, which run too warm and dry. If you also stored dahlias, they share similar conditions to cannas; see our dahlia tuber storage guide.
Safety and pet notes
Use a spading fork carefully and wear sturdy shoes and gloves when digging. Elephant ears and caladiums contain calcium oxalate crystals and are listed as toxic to dogs and cats by the ASPCA; sap can also irritate skin, so gloves help. Store boxes where pets cannot chew them. If a pet chews one, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
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A spading fork for lifting, stackable crates, and gloves for handling sap. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Zone and timing notes
In Zones 3 to 5, first frost usually arrives between mid September and mid October, so expect to lift cannas and elephant ears then and caladiums a few weeks earlier. Zones 6 and 7 usually lift in late October or November. Zone 7b and Zone 8 gardeners can often leave cannas in the ground under a thick mulch, though elephant ears are less reliable. Zones 9 and up can leave all three in the ground year round.
Bottom line
Lift cannas and elephant ears after the first light frost, caladiums before nights fall below 55°F, cure them dry, and store them in barely damp packing at the right temperature. Check monthly and toss anything soft. A few boxes in the basement save a sizable plant bill every spring.
Related reading
- Dig and store dahlia tubers
- Overwintering geraniums indoors
- Move citrus and tropicals indoors
- Fall garden guide Zone 6
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