Elephant ear plants, also known as Colocasia, are tropical plants that can be cultivated from tubers or roots. It has large heart-shaped leaflets on two to three-foot (61-91 centimeter) length stem or blade stems. The leaf can be purplish-black, green, or green/white variegated. The plant grows to be between 3 and 5 feet (1-1.5 meters) tall and is normally cultivated as an outdoor specimen, but it can also be grown indoors.
Do you want to learn more about how to care for an elephant ear plant indoors? Continue reading our guide for all of the best hints and tips.
Table of Contents
1. Location and Light for Elephant Ear Plant
When it comes to lighting, alocasia plants prefer bright to medium light and thrive best in bright, indirect light. Full sun in the morning or evening is good, but find a location that receives only filtered light for the majority of the day. Perfect sites include areas with sheer net curtains, frosted glass, or just slightly back from an east-facing window.
2. Soil from Elephant Ear Plant
To prevent getting swamped, elephant ear plants ensure appropriate ventilation in their soil. When planting, you can use ordinary potting soil mix, but if you think it’s still too heavy, add more organic elements like perlite or wood chips to help aerate the soil. Always check that the pot you’re planting in has enough drainage holes; if it doesn’t, consider adding some to the bottom of the pot. Another approach to improve drainage is to place a layer of stones to the base of the plant before planting; this helps excess water to easily drain away from the soil.
3. Temperature
These plants can survive in a temperature range of 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (12 to 26 degrees Celsius). However, maintaining your plants above 15 degrees Celsius is preferable for their best performance. A greenhouse is advised if you live in a cooler region or during the winter months when temperatures are below this. Plants that are maintained outside of this temperature range for an extended amount of time can suffer from poor health.
4. Humidity
Keeping your Elephant Ear alive and comfortable requires a regular to high moisture content. If your plant is kept in a location where the humidity level is consistently outside of this range, click here for extensive instructions on how to raise or lower humidity levels.
5. Requirements for Watering
Elephant Ear prefers moist soil and should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry. Water until the water drains easily from the drainage holes while watering. Throughout the hot summer months, frequent watering is essential to maintain your plant happy and healthy; however, watering can be reduced to a smaller frequency during the winter months to compensate for less precipitation.
6. Demands for fertilizer
As a general rule, your Elephant Ear should be treated three times a year using a slow release fertilizer in addition to regular watering. Fertilize only when necessary, and keep it at least 6 inches away from the root. This will help to keep your plant alive while also encouraging healthy growth. It’s recommended to use high-quality fertilizers rather than cheaper fertilizers with heavy salts, which should be avoided because they might harm the plant’s roots and even kill it.
Conclusion
As a landscaper, you’ll focus on photos of massive, evergreens that effectively mimic the pointy ears of an elephant. In any case, it would be a terrific topic of conversation with other gardeners, allowing you to educate them about these large-leafed beauties. Perhaps you might start a trade with them, sharing the many colors, shapes, and sizes for many years. Good Luck on your journey with these elephant ear plants!