Elephant Ears Fertilizing Tips
- Use a rich soil amended with compost or manure or a 20-20-20 fertilizer mix
- Feed Elephant Ears once a month, starting in the spring and ending in the fall
- Water when applying fertilizer to protect against fertilizer burn
- Do not fertilize Elephant Ears when the plant is not actively growing
What is the best fertilizer for elephant ears?
Tips for Elephant Ears
- Full Sun and Partial Shade. Elephant ears thrive in full sun to partial shade, depending on which variety you are growing. ...
- Moisture Needs of Elephant Ears. All elephant ear varieties are agreeable to moisture -- and plenty of it. ...
- Growing Conditions and Fertilization. ...
- Maintaining Healthy Elephant Ears. ...
What plants go well with elephant ear plants?
What Plants Go Well With Elephant Ear Plants?
- Ferns. The dainty foliage of ferns visually contrast the large, bold-sized leaves of elephant ears well. ...
- Coleus. Coleus (Solenostemon spp.) are fast-growing herbaceous foliage plants with leaves that can range in color from yellow or green to purple, rust brown or burgundy-red.
- Begonias. ...
- Other Elephant Ears. ...
Do elephant ears need fertilizer?
Elephant ears usually need to be fertilized in the spring and fall so I decided to save your time and energy to find a solution even though I am a little late for fall. Elephant ears are grown in shady places so they need fertilizer more than any other of your outdoor plants.
How to grow and care for elephant ear?
Elephant Ear Care . Grow elephant ears in slightly acidic soil in partial shade. As a native wetland plant, elephant ears like a lot of water. This makes them a good choice for wet areas where gardeners usually have trouble finding suitable plants. Some varieties are well suited for planting in large containers.
How do you feed elephant ears?
Fertilize your plants once a month with a slow-release, water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer. Alternately, Burpee recommends top dressing with organic compost. You can also use compost tea as a homemade fertilizer for elephant ears. Apply 1 to 2 cups per plant at least once per month.
Is Epsom salt good for elephant ear plants?
Epsom salt helps ferns and plants similar to ferns, such as elephant ear, have rich, dark foliage. Add 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt to a gallon of water and spray ferns and elephant ears to achieve the look.
How often do you feed elephant ears?
Fertilizer. Like many large-leaved tropical plants, elephant ears are heavy feeders. Apply a water-soluble high-nitrogen fertilizer every two to three weeks.
How often should I water elephant ears?
Water your Elephant Ear per week, especially during the growing season. Above-average humidity is ideal for your Elephant Ear plant. Elephant Ear prefers temperatures between 65°F and 75°F.
Should I cut off damaged elephant ear leaves?
Pruning Elephant Ear Plants If the appearance detracts from the overall look of the plant, it's fine to trim these off near the base of the stem, using a pair of sharp pruners or shears. It's important to remove dead leaves for the same reason.
How do you take care of potted elephant ears?
Elephant ears like to stay consistently moist, but not soggy. Be especially careful with watering if you use a pot without drainage holes. Always test the soil with your finger first. Humidity is also important to elephant ears, so it's a good idea to set the pot in a saucer of water elevated by pebbles.
Is Miracle Grow good for elephant ears?
Best Fertilizer For Elephant Ears A water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer is a good option that provides a good balance of nutrition. You can also use all-purpose Miracle Grow to feed Elephant Ears plants.
Why are the leaves on my elephant ear plant turning yellow?
Too much or too little water can cause leaves to turn yellow or brown. One other factor to consider when your elephant ear plant becomes discolored is watering frequency. Both over-watering and under-watering can cause the leaves of any plant to form yellow spots, before the color takes over the whole leaf.
Why do elephant ear plants cry?
If your Elephant Ear plant gets too much water, it will let you know by “weeping” or dripping water from the tip of the leaf.
Do elephant ears do well in pots?
If you decide you don't want to plant your elephant ear plants in the ground, container growing is perfectly acceptable for these plants. Elephant ears do well in containers so long as you provide them with the right sized container, proper soil, and adequate sunlight.
What does an overwatered elephant ear look like?
Crown, leaf spot, and stem or root rot: These diseases are caused by overwatering and usually appear as dark brown or black spots on the leaves surrounded by a yellowish rim. To prevent this, avoid over-watering, keep the leaves dry, and provide it with good air circulation.
Do elephant ears need a lot of sun?
Sun or Shade: Elephant ears will grow in sun or shade. If you put them in a hot, sunny location, make sure they get a little shade during the middle of the day. Zone: Elephant ears are tropical plants. In zones 9-11 they can be grown outdoors year-round.
Which plants benefit from Epsom salts?
Roses, peppers, and tomato plants require high levels of magnesium to thrive, so it is these plants that would benefit from the micronutrients contained within Epsom salts.
Can I sprinkle Epsom salt around plants?
If the soil becomes depleted of magnesium, adding Epsom salt will help; and since it poses little danger of overuse like most commercial fertilizers, you can use it safely on nearly all your garden plants.
How do you make elephant ears grow faster?
Elephant ears usually sprout three to eight weeks from planting. Sprouting occurs when the weather begins to warm in spring. They will sprout faster in warmer climates than in cooler climates. To speed up the process, you can start them inside and move them outdoors once it warms up.
What houseplants require Epsom salt?
Roses, tomatoes, and peppers are examples of plants that can benefit from Epsom salt. For tomatoes and peppers, mix two tablespoons of Epsom salt with one gallon of water to spray onto leaves when the plant begins blooming and fruiting.
Elephant Ears Gardening Uses
There are a number of uses for elephant ears in the garden. These plants come in a variety of colors and sizes. Elephant ear plants can be used as...
Planting Elephant Ear Bulbs
Growing elephant ear plants is easy. Most of these plants prefer rich, moist soil and can be grown in full sun, but they generally prefer partial s...
How to Take Care of An Elephant Ear Plant
Once established, elephant ears require little attention. During dry spells, you may want to water plants regularly, especially those growing in co...
How to fertilize elephant ear plants?
Apply the fertilizer according to the directions on the fertilizer label. Watch for yellow leaves on the elephant plant. If the new leaves emerge with a slightly yellowish tint apply Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) to the elephant ear plant. Mix 1/8 cup Epsom salt per one gallon of water and pour around the elephant ear plant.
How do I get rid of elephant plants?
Apply 2 to 3 inches to the topsoil as a mulch and also work the humus into the soil using a simple garden trowel. Do not dig too deeply or you will disturb the elephant plant's roots. Work up 1 inch of soil and then apply the humus material. Water thoroughly.
Where do elephant ears grow?
The elephant ear plant (Colocasia esculenta) grows in tropical and subtropical areas. They can be grown in northern regions but the plants will need to be dug up to store or moved indoors in a container during the winter. There are several varieties of elephant ear plants available. The plants grow from large tubers which look similar to a potato.
Can elephant ears grow in water?
Elephant ears are often considered to be a wetland plant. A few varieties can successfully be grown in water but most species enjoy moist soil without waterlogged roots. The elephant ear is a heavy feeder and requires a regular fertilizing schedule to thrive. The elephant ear plant (Colocasia esculenta) grows in tropical and subtropical areas.
Is elephant ear poisonous to humans?
All parts of many elephant ear plants are toxic if consumed by humans or animals. All parts of many elephant ear plants are toxic if consumed by humans or animals. Based in Oregon, Kimberly Sharpe has been a writer since 2006. She writes for numerous online publications.
How to grow elephant ears?
Planting Elephant Ear Bulbs. Growing elephant ear plants is easy. Most of these plants prefer rich, moist soil and can be grown in full sun, but they generally prefer partial shade. The tubers can be placed directly outdoors once the threat of frost or freezing temperatures have ceased in your area. Plant the tubers about 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) ...
What is an elephant ear plant?
Image by Lori L. Stalteri. The elephant ear plant ( Colocasia) provides a bold tropical effect in nearly any landscape setting. In fact, these plants are commonly grown for their large, tropical-looking foliage, which is reminiscent of elephant ears.
Can elephant ears survive winter?
Elephant ears cannot survive winter outdoors. Freezing temperatures kill foliage and damage tubers. Therefore, in areas with harsh, cold winters (like those in northernmost regions), the plants must be dug up and stored indoors. Cut the foliage back to about a couple of inches (5 cm.) after the first frost in your area and then carefully dig up ...
How do elephant ears grow?
Alocasis and Xanthosoma species of elephant ear grow from hard corm-like roots that can't be divided. These plants are sometimes propagated by collecting and planting seeds from the flowers, though this is time-consuming and difficult.
What is an elephant ear?
Elephant ears are tropical perennial plants grown for the appeal of the large leaves rather than for their flowers. Elephant ear is the common name is used for several species in three plant genera— Colocasia, Alocasis, and Xanthosoma. The most commonly grown plant Colocasia esculenta, also known as taro. Whatever the species, elephant ears are ...
How big are elephant ears?
While these leaves can reach 3 feet long and 2 feet wide in the tropics, in colder climates they will remain smaller (but still impressive).
What zones do elephant ears live in?
Temperature and Humidity. Elephant ears are tropical plants that do best in circumstances that mimic their native habitat. They will be evergreen in USDA zones 10 to 11, but will likely die back to the ground in zones 8 to 9 to return in the spring.
Can elephant ears be planted indoors?
In warm zones (8 and above) the root can be left in the ground as a perennial, while in colder zones the plants are either treated as annuals, discarded at the end of the season, or dug up and stored indoors for planting the following spring. In any landscape, elephant ears provide an infusion of tropical atmosphere.
Can you plant elephant ears in a pot?
Potting and Repotting Elephant Ears. Elephant ears are sometimes grown in large containers as patio plants, but it is important to use a potting mix with a lot of organic matter that holds moisture.
Is an elephant's ear edible?
Elephant ears' species name, esculentia, is the same term that gives us the word "esculent," meaning edible. In fact, elephant ears are an important food source in warm climates around the world. The roots (known as taro root) and the leaves are both edible. However, the leaves need to be cooked before they are consumed.
How to Fertilize Elephant Ears
The soil matters when growing Elephant Ears. Soil rich in organic material, like compost, can help support plant growth. The ideal soil will also be slightly acidic. The soil can be amended with compost or manure when planting. Throughout the growing season, you can top dress the ground with compost or apply a fertilizer product.
Best Time To Fertilize Elephant Ears
If you are wondering when should I fertilize Elephant Ears, the answer is once a month during the spring, summer, and fall. As large plants, regular feedings will help the plant bulk up and support its large leaves. Plants do not need to be fertilized during the winter if they are not actively growing.
Best Fertilizer For Elephant Ears
Well-draining soil rich in organic matter, like compost or manure, are good options for Elephant Ears. A water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer is a good option that provides a good balance of nutrition. You can use Miracle Grow to feed Elephant Ears plants.
What Do Elephant Ear Plants Look Like?
Elephant ear plants have enormous, heart-shaped (or elephant ear-shaped) leaves that can reach up to three feet long and two feet wide when growing wild in the tropics. They can come in rich green, variegated, or purple colors.
How Much Sun Does an Elephant Ear plant Need?
Indoor elephant ear plants thrive with lots of indirect sunlight. You should place your pot in an area of the home with bright windows that will cast a lot of indirect light on the plant. Avoid too much direct sunlight, as too much harsh sun can bleach or discolor the leaves.
What Temperature Works Best?
Since this plant is home to the tropics, it does best in warm environments. The best temperature for this plant is between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Does an Elephant Ear Plant Enjoy Humidity?
Elephant ear plants are native to tropical areas, so they enjoy humid environments. Consider placing this plant in a bathroom with a shower since that becomes a routinely humid room in a home. You can also add pebbles to the soil for this plant since that creates more humidity when the water evaporates.
How Often Do You Water Elephant Ear Plants?
Elephant ear plants require lots of water and don’t mind living in moist soil. You may need to water the plant daily during the growing season and ensure that the soil does not dry out entirely during the warmer summer months. However, you won’t need to water the plant as much during the winter months.
What Size Does an Alocasia Macrorrhiza Grow to Typically?
With proper care inside your home, you can expect this plant to get to 6 feet or more in height.
Can You use Mulch on this Plant?
Placing mulch or other organic matter around the top of the planter can help keep the potting soil moist and help regulate the soil temperature. This prevents the plant from drying out too much or getting too cold.
