Elephant Ears: Adding Lush Greenery to Your Space
Elephant ears bring high drama, bold texture, and lush greenery to any garden or home. These exotic perennial plants feature huge heart-shaped leaves, making them perfect accent plants to create a tropical atmosphere. Growing elephant ears is simple—they thrive in filtered sun or shade with rich, moist soil. True to their name, Elephant Ears can reach impressive sizes very quickly.
General Care for Elephant Ears
Sunlight
- Prefers medium to bright, indirect light.
Water
- Keep the soil consistently moist by watering daily.
Humidity
- Thrives in warm, humid conditions and needs constant moisture. Avoid drafts.
Soil
- Use a high-quality potting mix.
Common Problems and Solutions
Elephant ears are easy to grow and fast-growing, with few issues. However, fungal infections are their biggest threat due to their love for water.
Symptom: Drooping Leaves
- Cause: Incorrect light, water, or fertilization levels; large leaves may also droop due to their weight. Cold temperatures can also cause plants to decline.
- Solution: Adjust light, water, and fertilization levels, and provide support for heavy leaves.
Symptom: Wilting Leaves
- Cause: Too much sun, heat exposure, or insufficient water.
- Solution: Ensure adequate watering and provide some shade if exposed to intense sunlight.
Precautions
Elephant Ear plants are toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so it's best to keep them out of reach of children and animals.
Interested in learning about more unique plants? Check out our blog on Fiddle Leaf Fig!