The best kind of soil to use for new elephant ear plants is a mix of compost and standard organic potting mix. This is because elephant ears thrive in soil that has a lot of organic matter. You can easily make your own compost by adding in kitchen scraps such as leftover coffee and eggshells, as well as other types of organic matter such as leaves and yard clippings. Generally speaking, your compost pile should be ready to use in about two weeks. In terms of organic potting soil, you can find this at any garden retailer or online. Just keep in mind that you’ll want to ensure that your potting soil is well-draining. Elephant ears love water and to prevent root disease from overwatering, you’ll want to make sure your soil can easily drain.