Their leaves are huge, leathery thick, sculpted on rigid stems. Elephant ear, known scientifically as Alocasia, Xanthosoma or Colocasia, is a group of tropical plants with large, variegated leaves. I know that Elephant Ears don't perform as well in pots as they do in the ground. Plant your Elephant Ear tubers 5 in. In this article, I’ll go over everything you need to know to bring it back to its former glory. • Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth 1 x per week to keep the "plant pores" or "stomata" open. Planting distance varies with the size of your Elephant Ear plants. Set the Elephant Ear tuber with the pointy side facing up. A perennial tuber coming from the tropical swamplands under family Araceae. It sits in front of a west window. Follow. If you just brought your plant home, it might wilt or have some yellowing leaves, but once it adjusts, it will be just fine. The Spruce / Adrienne Legault Elephant ears are tropical foliage plants with large dark green leaves. If you notice dark brown or black spots with a yellowish rim on the leaves, remove the damaged leaves, move the plant away from your other plants, and treat with a fungicide spray. An elephant ear in need of more humidity may have dried out leaves or may simply get a little droopy. Secondly, why is my elephant ear plant dying? How can I grow more than 3 leaves at a time? Overwatering is the primary cause of failure in elephant bushes because it robs the plants of oxygen and invites fungal rot disease. Plants might lack a central nervous system, and they don’t have feelings as we do, but when you bring an elephant ear plant into a new environment is might seem like it does. If you’re after a good indoors house plant, check out the Alocasia species. Although they need plenty of water, they can develop problems in standing water or if they are allowed to dry out for long periods of time. Water Frequently. It produces tiny round lesions on the ornamental leaves that may ooze fluid and turn purple or yellow when dry. We would suggest homeowners be mindful of selecting this plant especially those living near a green belt area, a nature preserve or waterway. It’s no secret that elephant ear plants can get huge. When the fungus is in full bloom, there is also fuzzy growth. Amazon elephant's ear is typically not susceptible to diseases but over-watering can lead to fungal infections. The plant comes from Brazil so it is used to warm, humid conditions. Don’t despair if your elephant ear plant isn’t looking so great right now. Elephant ear plants add beauty and lushness to your garden or home, and they can be pretty easy to care for as long as you know what they like. Like other members of the family, the plant contains an irritant which causes intense discomfort to the lips, mouth and throat. Exactly how much spacing an elephant ear plant requires depends on the variety, but a good rule of thumb is to plant them about 4 feet apart. Large elephant ear plants will need a planter that is at least 17 inches wide and deep, and it may require one up to 36 inches in diameter. A planter that is too small does not hold enough nutrient-rich soil and water for the plant to survive on. antiquorum, for example, has leaves that can be a foot wide and up to 20 inches long, according to the Clemson University Cooperative Extension. Check your zone on this map. You'll find useful information here whether you're growing vegetables in an apartment, patio, or a raised bed. This might be the case, but if you catch the signs of plant distress early enough, it is possible to save your plant. Why does the plant drip water from the tip of the large leaves? They are not native to Florida but have become naturalized in some wetland areas in … Then the leaves started to turn yellow and fall off. 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