Elephant ear plants get their name from the magnificently gigantic size of their heart-shaped leaves. Some numerous varieties and cultivars span the spectrum of purple, green, and white variegated leaves. Elephant ears belong to two groups of plants, Colocasia and Alocasia. Usually, colocasia is planted outdoors, and alocasia is more common as houseplants. Alocasias are often known as indoor elephant ear plant. You cannot expect your elephant ear plant to grow as large indoors as outside, but that is probably a good thing considering a single leaf can grow two feet wide, and stems can reach five or more feet, based on the variety. Alocasia species have been made a very popular house plant because of their large, unusual, heart-shaped leaves, and on occasion, they are even known to flower. Want to know more about the elephant ear plants? Keep reading this article for all the top tips and tricks.
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Profile of Elephant Ear Plants
Elephant ear plants originated from south-east Asia and India. They are extensively grown by populations in the present day. The plant’s name was derived from the shape of the leaves. Elephant ear plant leaves are large and wide and have an arrowhead form.
Elephant ear plants can grow between the heights of 9 feet to as tall as 27 feet. If nurtured indoors, they can grow within the height range of 3 feet to 8 feet. Whether you are planting an indoor elephant ear plant in a pot or a garden bed, they are a lot of fun to grow.
How to Care for Indoor Elephant Ear Plant?
Alocasia is a striking air-purifying plant species that makes an incredible addition to the home, but they can be a little unpredictable when it comes to caring. They are an extremely rewarding plant to grow once you get the care right but may not be the best option for a complete plant newbie.
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Elephant Ear Plant Light and Location:
Alocasia plants are bright to medium light and are happiest when kept in indirect, bright light. Complete sunlight in the evening or morning is perfectly great. But select an area that only gets filtered light all through the day. Areas with frosted glass, sheer net curtains, or just slightly back from an east-facing window are ideal. If placed in direct sunlight, you might see the foliage becomes bleached or even scorched from the rays.
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Elephant Ear Plant Soil:
Elephant ear plants need excellent drainage in their soil so that the soil does not stay wet. You can utilize potting soil mix. But, if you think that it may still be too weighty, you add more organic materials to help aerate the earth. Always make sure that the pot you plant into has sufficient drainage holes. If it does not, you can add some more to the pot’s base.
Another way to boost drainage is to add a layer of stones to the bottom before planting. This enables additional water to drain from the soil with ease.
Pic credit- youtube.com
Repotting your Elephant Ear Plant:
Elephant ear plants should not be repotted frequently and does better when they are a bit pot bound. Plants that are too big for their pots have been known to split the plastic, thus you know it is time for get a fresh one. Spring is the ideal time for repotting. The plant is about to begin putting out several new developments. Use a house plant potting mix. Add additional organic materials if you think you need to boost drainage.
Elephant Ear Plant Watering:
Elephant ear plants prefer to be constantly damp but never drenched in the spring season. Excessively moist soil can result in root rot! They also do not like being left to dry out at the roots, so only allow the surface soil to dry out before adding some more water.
Feeding and Fertilizing
As soon as your plant begins putting out new growth for spring, you can apply the initial batch of liquid fertilizer. Choose a half-strength indoor plant manure to carry on healthy development.
Use the final feed a few weeks prior to the beginning of autumn. This enables your elephant ear plant time to relax. You can also release fertilizer slowly at the beginning of the season to provide your plant with slow, consistent nutrients.
How to repot elephant ear plants?
- Select a bigger pot, but no larger than around 3-5 inches than its present pot.
- If you want great drainage, add a deposit of stones to the bottom of the pot. If not, you can leave out this step and go in with a soil deposit.
- Remove your plant from its present pot by dragging on the base of the plant lightly.
- Loosen the roots with your hand gently, and then plant them into the new pot. Always ensure that the soil level is the same in the new pot, and avoid planting too deep or shallow for the smoothest transition.
- Fill in the remaining gaps with fresh compost and water well, enabling your plant to adapt to its new home.
Temperature and Humidity
The two main problems that may come up when caring for alocasia plants are; cool temperatures and dry air. Elephant ears are tropical plants, used to very humid and warm conditions. These things can be difficult to replicate inside the homes, so it is important to follow the below-mentioned tips:
- Put a tray of pebbles with water below your plant to disappear
- Spray your plant every day
- Put the plant near a humidifier
Temperature is very important. Elephant ear plants prefer temperate and warm weather. In particular, they do not like anything under 16 °C (61°F) year-round, also in the winter. If the temperature drops under this for an extended period it can motivate your plant to go into dormancy.
Extra Tips for Elephant Ear Plant
Indoor elephant ear plants with large leaves are susceptible to getting dirty and can become blocked. If the foliage is not dusted often, your plant may become weak and unhealthy, which opens up vulnerability to some pests and illnesses. To fight this, you can clean the leaves over with a wet cloth, keeping the leaves dust-free and healthy.
The growth expected from an indoor elephant ear plant is moderate. You can expect approximately 1 leaf every month during the active growing season or a little less than this. If your plant has not produced any new growth in the past 6 months, it may not be very healthy. If you have not already, try repotting your plant or adding fertilizer, this is a perfect way to give an additional boost and help with new growth.
During dormancy, alocasia plants can at times experience “die back.” This term refers to a natural procedure where the summer growth shrivels and dies to get the plant ready for winter. If this occurs, do not be too alarmed. Continue taking care of the plant as you would usually. Just add less water and do not add compost. The leaves will develop healthy in the coming season, all set for another growing season.
How To Prevent Dieback?
Dieback is an illness that can be stopped when growing alocasia plants within the home. Make sure over winter that your plant is placed in a bit warmer area of your home that still gets a good amount of light all through the day. Windowsill locations are typically quite cold and drafty so opt for somewhere away from the window.
Pic credit- gardeninglovy.com
Where to Plant Elephant Ear Bulbs?
The most excellent place to plant elephant ear bulbs indoors in your pot is in a sunny spot with afternoon shade. In dry, hot climates, elephant ears grow best in filtered sunlight so that giant leafy plants do not wither in the heat. Ensure that the soil for elephant ear plants retains lots of moisture.
The mammoth elephant ear leaves are also susceptible to catching the wind. Thus, selecting a location that offers ornamental leaves protection from strong winds would be best. Usually, purple elephant ear plants with dark leaves grow ideal in the shade.
Toxicity of Elephant Ear Plant
Elephant ear plants produce a kind of sap called calcium oxalate crystals. This compound can generate some very unlikeable side effects in both animals and humans if ingested. While the effects are rarely fatal if you have kids or pets in your house, make sure that your plant is out of reach to avoid any injury.
Conclusion
An indoor elephant ear plant is a tropical crop grown for its edible leaves, corms, and aesthetic value. Cook the corms prior to serving as food because of their toxic nature when raw. It likes well-drained soil, warm temperatures, and regular watering. Elephant Ears must be fertilized once a month with general indoor fertilizers. Wipe the leaves with a damp towel to clear their stomata regularly. They need full or partial sun. Elephant ear plants with dark green leaves need full sun, while others with lesser green or other colors can do well in partial shade.
