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How to care for an elephant ears plant

Make a style statement. - by Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
  • 22 Oct 2020
How to care for an elephant ears plant
Getty

Think you can’t get any bigger than monstera plants? You haven’t seen elephant ears, and they’re hotter than ever in interiors right now.

Elephant ear plants are named after their super-sized heart-shaped (or elephant ear-shaped) leaves.

Elephant ears belong to two species of plants: Colocasia and Alocasia. If you’re after a good indoors house plant, check out the Alocasia species.

How to care for your elephant ears indoors

leafandlolo View Profile
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Gahhhh! My first variegated Alocasia! So excited, she was one of my wish list plant babes! * * * In other news, we are heading to the South of France this week! Any tips or planty places?! Send em my way! The Exotic Garden in Monaco looks insaaaane 🤩 * * * * * * * * #leafandlolo #plantmom #plantgang #botanicalwomen #plantobsessed #plantsmakepeoplehappy #greenyourfeed #plantstyling #indoorjungle #bohoismyjam #plantsarefriends #petaluma #crazyplantlady #thenewbohemians #jungalowstyle #hyggehome #plantshelfie #bhghome #apartmenttherapy #inmydomaine #sodomino #chickswithplants #peoplewithplants #alocasia #houseplantclub #iplanteven #urbanjunglebloggers #variegatahaveit #mybotanicalbungalow

Temperature

According to Better Homes and Gardens gardening expert, Roger Fox, elephant ears (Alocasia species) need adequate warmth and humidity to grow indoors as they’re native to tropical areas.

“Ideally, temperatures need to be above 15°C year round, and plants will benefit from a misting with water to increase humidity around the foliage,” says Roger.

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My Alocasia Zebrina has been quite happy since I transferred it to a bigger pot! The newer leaves are much larger now 🤩 . . . . . . . #alocasia #elephantearplant #interiorjungle #urbanjungle #indoorplants #houseplants #plantsofinstagram #houseplantsofinstagram #plantlove #montreal #meandplantsarefriends #plantsmakepeoplehappy #urbanjunglebloggers #peoplewithplants #indoorgarden #houseplantclub #planttherapy #foliage #crazyplantguy #tils #tilsplanttherapy #onlinehouseplants #house_plant_community #pausewithplants #houseplantdiary #plantoftheweek #houseofplantlovers #houseplantplantclub

Light

Indoors, elephant ears need moderately bright light, but Roger recommends avoiding direct sunlight on their leaves in summer, “as this can cause foliage burn”.

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What do you think about this Colicasia esculenta illustris? 🤗🤩 📷 by @sadies.leaves Share yours with #onlinehouseplants 💚

Water

Elephant ears like the soil to be constantly moist, so during the warm months of the year, you’ll need to water them frequently.

If in doubt, says Roger, “check the soil moisture with your finger, and water when the top couple of centimetres feels dry. During winter, water less frequently.”

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Watering day for the shop's Alocasia 'Regal Shields'. #keepsakela #alocasia #plants #plantshop #losangeles

Fertiliser

During spring and summer, feed monthly with a liquid fertilizer, or apply slow-release fertiliser granules at the start of spring.

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I trimmed a leaf off my giant Colocasia. I'm 5' 6" for reference. #colocasia #gardenwitch

Roger’s trouble shooting tips

  • It’s common for leaves to die back periodically, especially during winter – cut them off at the base, with sharp scissors or secateurs.
  • The large-sized leaves need to be kept clean of dust, so they stay healthy and look attractive – wipe them with a damp cloth from time to time.
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. سلام سلام ظهر گرم پاییزی تون به خیر 🙋🏻‍♂️🌿🍂 برگهای گیاه #باباآدم سمی هستن و برای انسان و حیوانات در صورت خورده شدن خطرناکن. اما ریشه هاش خاصیت درمانی داره که حتما از استفاده خودسرانه اش پرهیز کنید. شرایط نگهداری گیاه بابا آدم نور : گیاه بابا آدم نیاز به نور متوسطی دارد . برگ های این گیاه اگر در معرض تابش مستقیم آفتاب مخصوصا در فصل تابستان باشد دچار سوختگی می شوند. مکانی که گاهی بر آن سایه باشد و نور رد شده از پرده مناسب است. دما : بهترین درجه برای رشد گیاه بابا آدم 15 الی 28 درجه سانتی گرد می باشد . در دما های پایین تر برگ های گیاه دچار شک شده و اگر درجه دما سرد تر شود قسمت پایین گیاه به خواب رفته ولی از بین نمی رود . و پس از اتمام فصل سرما رشد خود را از سر می گیرد. رطوبت : گیاه بابا آدم نیازمند رطوبت مطلوبی می باشد . این رطوبت را می توان به دو صورت تامین نمود . اولین روش غبار پاشی بر روی گیاه است . این غبار پاشی به صورت هفته ای 1 الی 2 بار با توجه به وضعیت محیطی مناسب می باشد . روش دیگر میتوان از جزیره استفاده نمود ، در این روش ظرف زیر گلدان را بزرگتر انتخاب کرده و ظرف را با سنگ پر نمایید ظرف را پر کرده و گلدان را بر روی سنگ ها قرار دهید به این صورت گیاه رطوبت مورد نیاز را از تبخیر آب دریافت می کند آب: این گیاه رطوبت را دوست دارد . به همین دلیل آبیاری هفته ای 2 الی 3 می تواند مناسب باشد . هر زمان که خاک گلدان شروع به از دست دادن رطوبت کرد می توان اقدام به آبیاری گیاه نمود . در فصل سرما به علت توقف رشد آبیاری گیاه را کمتر کنید. خاک : خاک سبک و مغذی همراه با مواد آلی کافی برای رشد گیاه توصیه می شود . شما میتوانید از مخلوط پیت ماس و پرلیت استفاده نمایید.توجه داشته باشید زهکشی برای تخلیه آب مناسب باشد تا ریشه های گیاه دچار پوسیدگی نشود. کوددهی : شما میتوانید از کود 10-0-20 به صورت پنجاه درصد رقیق شده استفاده نمایید . استفاده از این کود در هر 2 هفته یک بار توصیه می شود . . 📸 @rumahgodong . . #alocacia #elephantearplant #آلوکازیا

Caring for your elephant ears outdoors

According to Roger, Alocasias (and closely related Colocasias) need a frost-free climate, and a position in light shade or dappled sunlight.

“They can also be grown in large pots, filled with a premium quality potting mix, and watered frequently through summer. They look great mixed in with ferns”, he said.

You might also like:

How to grow and care for a monstera deliciosa, or Swiss cheese plant

The perfect plants for your bathroom

How to look after indoor plants

  • Garden
  • Decorating
  • Indoor Plants
Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
Rebecca is the Digital Managing Editor of Better Homes and Gardens.

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