Alternatively, the plant may be going dormant for the season. The plant reproduces mostly by means of rhizomes (tubers, corms), but it also produces "clusters of two to five fragrant inflorescences in the leaf axils". Planting distance varies with the size of your Elephant Ear plants. The large, heart-shaped, dark green leaves of the elephant ear … Elephant ear plants are named after their super-sized heart-shaped (or elephant ear-shaped) leaves. I understand your situation that Elephant Ears won't survive the winter there if left in the ground. The Alocasia Regal Shield is a popular cultivar native to the African region. Generally speaking, light green elephant ear plants are less picky about this. Ingstrom says the difference is usually in the size of the spots. Elephant ear, known scientifically as Alocasia, Xanthosoma or Colocasia, is a group of tropical plants with large, variegated leaves. Colocasia plants (also referred to as taro plants) are native to hot and humid areas of southeast Asia; their leaves have the traditional elephant ear shape that grows up from a long stem, unwinding itself and then pointing toward the ground once it has its full shape. An elephant ear in need of more humidity may have dried out leaves or may simply get a little droopy. Some of them are small, and some grow to be gigantic elephant ear plants if they’re given optimal growing conditions. I'm completely new to this type of plant and reading online hasn't helped much. All varieties of elephant ear plants originate from tropical or near-tropical climates, which means that like humidity and warmth. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/cut-back-elephant-ear-plant-22352.html When I received my plant, it started to put out new leaves and growing. You may always know when your children are ailing, but sometimes it can be difficult to see if a plant is feeling poorly until it is too late. For indoor elephant ears, you’ll need to fertilize more frequently, likely twice a month. You can transplant your elephant ears or the other plants to solve this issue or fertilize and water with more frequency to see if that helps. However, if you are watering your elephant ear plant less often than every two weeks, your yellow spots can indicate not enough water, so you should water it more. These plants will make a passersby stop in their tracks. The Spruce / Adrienne Legault Elephant ears are tropical foliage plants with large dark green leaves. Cut back the yellow leaves and wait for it to return next spring. This is my elephant ear plant. If they are already potted, just bring them in; they make excellent houseplants, too. • Fertilize your elephant ears plant with a general indoor plant fertilizer at half strength 1 x per month. Fortunately, this disease is most prevalent in regions where there is high humidity and extreme heat. Elephant ears can be divas about their humidity. It generally happens in elephant ear plant when there is a fungal infection on the plant and too much watering causes it to root rot. All are doing fine, except this one plant. If your elephant ear plant is wilting or developing yellow or brown leaves, it isn’t a good sign, and you’re probably concerned that your plant is dying. The best time to transplant Elephant ears is in the late fall or early spring while they are mostly dormant. Read further to find out how to handle elephant ear plant disease. Cut back the dead leaves and continue to care for the tuber. • Full strength is too strong a dose for a houseplant and may cause rampant growth before it's ready for it. A. As in, the leaves are putting off moisture almost to the point of being covered in dew. The Elephant Ear (Colocasia) is a tropical plant that grows up to 9 feet (2.7 m) tall and sprouts large, arrow-shaped leaves that resemble the ears on an elephant. I bought this elephant ear about 2 weeks ago and a few days after I bought it, a new elephant ear started to sprout from the stem of the largest, bent ear on the plant. Try changing the amount of sunlight or water the plant gets and possibly apply a fertilizer. If you stop watering them, the leaves turn brown on the edges. The most common elephant ear plant disease is fungal leaf blight. When an elephant ear plant is getting too much sun, the leaves may turn brown, and it will look like it is dying. A planter that is too small does not hold enough nutrient-rich soil and water for the plant to survive on. The right amounts of moisture, nutrients, and light are key to keeping your elephant ear plant happy. Over time the entire leaf collapses on itself and the disease travels down the corm. Our Elephant Ear Plant care guide has all the information you need to help your plant thrive. Plants will lose foliage to compensate for lack of soil, nutrients, and water. Bright Indirect Light. If you suspect your elephant ear is missing moisture in the air, you can try one of the following solutions: In the tropics, elephant ears are used to rich soil, and that is what they’ll want from you as well. Why does that happen? Elephant ear plants with darker leaves are pickier and will show signs of distress if they are getting too much sun. They can handle having more sun. They are not native to Florida but have become naturalized in some wetland areas in … Amazon elephant's ear is typically not susceptible to diseases but over-watering can lead to fungal infections. 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. Ensure the soil is moist throughout. They can be a great focal point with a dramatic appeal for any interior. but the elephant bush is really a beautiful plant. Allow the soil to dry out pretty thoroughly before watering. Like other members of the family, the plant contains an irritant which causes intense discomf… Elephant's ear is a large plant and will cope with being put straight into a 36inch pot on its own when you bring it home from the nursery (unlike most other plants). When the fungus is in full bloom, there is also fuzzy growth. I only have two leaves left. The leaves are prone to several diseases which mar this ornamental appeal. A perennial tuber coming from the tropical swamplands under family Araceae. Landscapers use this plant as a back drop for other tropical perennials or around specimen trees. Care for them properly with frequent watering and fertilizing to watch them flourish. either way, im learning that fussy plants most likely aren't for me until i become more of a seasoned plant owner. I love the sunshine but too much direct light will damage my leaves. apart (45-60 cm), tall Elephant Ear varieties (over 5 ft. or 150 cm) about 3-4 ft. apart (90-120 cm). The glossy green leaves are heavily scalloped on thick stalks. Elephant ears plants are generally pretty easy to care for as long as you know what they need. Don’t despair if your elephant ear plant isn’t looking so great right now. Plant your Elephant Ear tubers 5 in. Over time the entire leaf collapses on itself and the disease travels down the corm. The plant is a quick-grower and usually grows between 3 to 6 feet. If your plant has any of the following elephant ear disease symptoms, you may have a diseased Colocasia. As in, the leaves are putting off moisture almost to the point of being covered in dew. Set the Elephant Ear tuber with the pointy side facing up. Answered by theficuswrangler on November 11, 2014. The droopy leaves along with the Guttation of water through the leaves indicates stress. 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. Fungal diseases respond well to a foliar application of copper fungicide. Your elephant ear plant is dying because it isn’t getting the right amount of water, light, or nutrients. There are six species of Colocasia plants. Elephant ear plants (Colocasia spp) are so named for the shape of their leaves. Many signs that it isn’t feeling well will be showing on the leaves. It produces tiny round lesions on the ornamental leaves that may ooze fluid and turn purple or yellow when dry. I brought this potted plant inside and put it under the hydroponic lettuce setup I’m building in an attempt to rescue it from dying over the winter outside. It needs regular watering, indirect sunlight and some humidity to really thrive. Water Frequently. Some types of elephant ear plants, like those you see in water gardens, will tolerate wet soil, but they don’t require it. Small and medium sized Elephant Ears should be spaced 18-24 in. If you keep your elephant ear plant in a pot or container, you’ll have to replenish the soil with nutrients. The elephant-ear shaped, big, blackish-green leaves with lighter venation stand on long, stalk-like stems. This is known as taro, but there are numerous varieties of the plant, Colocasia, many of which are simply ornamental. Seedlings are the ones that most often get the disease. Wilting or curling of leaves are indications of too little water. It needs to be kept at above 16°C (60°F) at all times and will soon suffer if the temperature goes below 13°C (55°F). I know that Elephant Ears don't perform as well in pots as they do in the ground. The most common elephant ear plant disease is fungal leaf blight. The process of the water being pushed out through the leaves is called transpiration and is the plants natural process to remove the moisture. Is this a reaction to being freshly watered? For instance: Deciphering elephant ear disease symptoms can be confusing but just start with the most obvious cultural conditions and if those are not the problem, move on to possible fungal, viral or bacterial issues. The color of foliage may differ from variegated green, purplish-black to green-white. Follow. Planting elephant ear bulbs indoors approximately eight weeks prior to the last frost date is also acceptable. So, I have a couple elephant ears that seem to weep. Colocasia plants (also referred to as taro plants) are native to hot and humid areas of southeast Asia; their leaves have the traditional elephant ear shape that grows up from a long stem, unwinding itself and then pointing toward the ground once it has its full shape. There are six species of Colocasia plants. apart (45-60 cm), tall Elephant Ear varieties (over 5 ft. or 150 cm) about 3-4 ft. apart (90-120 cm). PROPAGATION: Elephant ears propagate by division. These giant upright elephant ears come from the Alocasia family and are known for their leaves, which point in an upward direction. antiquorum, for example, has leaves that can be a foot wide and up to 20 inches long, according to the Clemson University Cooperative Extension. Speckled or stippled leaves that are deformed can indicate. I understand your situation that Elephant Ears won't survive the winter there if left in the ground. Your elephant ear will probably be evergreen and thrive in outdoor conditions with proper care. If you live in an area without much humidity or your elephant is indoors, it might be languishing in the moisture-vacant air. The bulbs or tubers of Elephant ears are grown in Northern and Southern gardens primarily for their very decorative, ornamental foliage, and need lots of room. Known for their larger than life, heart-shaped leaves, Elephant Ear Plants are the new popular houseplant, and they’re super easy to care for! Elephant ears belong to two species of plants: Colocasia and Alocasia. A big, bold, textural and architectural foliage plant, Colocasia gigantea 'Thailand Giant' (Giant Elephant Ear) is a tuberous, frost-tender perennial boasting huge, heart-shaped, blue-green leaves, up to 4-6 ft. long (120-180 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm). it varies in sizes when young can spread its leaves from 3cm to 15cm o more. Elephant ears (Colocasia and Alocasia) are tropical plants grown for their stunning, often enormous leaves, which can be lime green, variegated or nearly black. If your elephant ear plant isn’t getting enough sun, its leaves will turn yellow. • Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth 1 x per week to keep the "plant pores" or "stomata" open. If you have a Colocasia, you probably know that they are not at all frost tolerant, require regular, even water and a full sun location. Essentially, your plant is going through some things as it adjusts to the new environment. If in 2 months you don’t see new leaves, then your elephant ear plant has likely passed on to the garden in the sky. I watered it when dry and gave it a diluted 20-20-20-plant food. Generally these plants grow in moist soil but not in wet so care for it properly. This beautiful giant of a plant will add a lush tropical feel to your home. If you keep your elephant ear plant outdoors, then it should also be sturdy enough to keep the wind from knocking over the plant. Planting distance varies with the size of your Elephant Ear plants. 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