X. violaceum (I believe) has done the improbable, surviving here in the ground over the winter. While planting out EEs this morning, I spied several growths of the plant I had mostly dug up last fall. I can't be sure it's violaceum but that's what I remember was in that spot. Much to my surprise I also found a Caladium coming up - one I missed digging up in the Fall (not sure which one). This was a horrible winter for us due to the persistent ice we kept getting, but on the mild temperature side with the official low getting down to just 5 degrees.
Is this unusual? Although the plants were heavily mulched, they were growing in a slightly raised bed which makes the survival all the more surprising.
Dave.
p.s. This plant produces long above-ground stolons that root easily when they contact moist earth.
Xanthosoma survives in Missouri over winter in the ground!
I had an 'Illustris' Colocasia survive on top of the ground 3 or 4 years ago. It was a small bulb (about 1/2" or so in diameter) that must have broke off the previous year's mother plant and come next May I saw this little elephant ear growing down in the muddy wet grass. I couldn't believe what it was. My only guess is that it survived with snow cover plus it was on the south side of the house down by the walkout basement door.
But I wish my Xanthosoma trials would just survive period. :~{
Look at Brian William's thread about pushing zones. Its great! http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/828480/
Very interesting I have a friend who has over wintered Xanthosoma Sag in NC for a number of years. They seem to like it more on the dry side in winter and a good mulching always helps. I find that if rot does set in during winter they usually will go fast but if just a piece makes it a whole new giant plant will come back.
Doubly interesting since we have had the wettest Winter/Spring in a long time. The mulching was heavy due to a mountain of wood chips I had on my driveway from tree debris from the big ice storm the year before. Fortunately, our plants can't read the hardiness charts!