The Elephant Ear industrial plant are a group of tropical perennials get laid for their heavy , middle - work or arrow - shaped leaf , which indeed resemble an elephant ’s ear . Botanically , they are primarily classified under three genera within the fellowship Araceae : Colocasia , Alocasia , andXanthosoma . Each genus has its distinctive characteristics , withColocasiaoften featuring downward - point leaves , Alocasiaboasting more upright , often arrow - shaped foliation , andXanthosomawith parting similar toAlocasiabut with dissimilar growth habits .
Historically , Elephant Ears have been cultivated for centuries not only for their decorative value but also for their eatable corms , especially those ofColocasia esculenta , commonly known as cocoyam . Taro has been a staple food for thought in many cultures across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands , where it was domesticated 1000 of years ago . The esthetical appeal of these plants led to their unveiling into ornamental horticulture in westerly land during the 19th one C , where they became popular for creating a tropical spirit in gardens or as indoor industrial plant in cooler climates .
Native to the tropical and subtropic regions of Asia , Australia , and role of South America , Elephant Ears flourish in environs that mime their natural habitat – warm , humid , with plentiful , moist soil . ColocasiaandAlocasiaspecies are predominantly from Southeast Asia and part of the South Pacific , whileXanthosomaspecies have origins in Central and South America . These part bring home the bacon the ideal condition of high humidity and ample rain that these plants require .
Regarding lifespan , Elephant Ear plant are perennials , which means they can live for several age under the right condition . In their aboriginal tropic home ground , they can persist indefinitely , growing from their tuberous corms each year . However , in temperate climate , they are often treated as yearly , where the foliage dies back with the first frost , but the corms can be plagiarize , stack away , and replant the undermentioned year to continue their life story bicycle .
When it add up to USDA Hardiness Zones , the hardihood of Elephant Ears varies significantly by species and cultivar . MostColocasiaandXanthosomaspecies are hardy in zones 8 to 11 , where they can survive modest wintertime outside . Colocasia esculenta‘Pink China ’ is an exclusion , with some reports of hardiness down to zone 6.Alocasiaspecies generally require warm conditions , thriving in zones 9 to 11 , though some can be spring up in zone 8 with security or in container move indoors during wintertime . In zones cool than these , Elephant Ears are typically grown as annuals or in pots that can be brought inside during cold months , ensuring their survival through dormancy . The plant take a lovesome environment to thrive , making them less suited for areas with abrasive winter without some form of tribute or indoor cultivation .
How To Grow & Care For Elephant Ear plants In Pots
Selecting the Right Pot
Choose a pot that ’s at least 18 inches in diam and depth to accommodate the big antecedent arrangement and to give the flora room to grow . Ensure the potful has drain hole to forestall root rot , as these works prefer moist but not waterlogged status .
Soil Mix
expend a well - draining , full-bodied potting mix . A good commixture could let in peat moss or coco coir for moisture retention , perlite or Baroness Dudevant for drainage , and compost or well - waste manure for food . The soil should be slightly acid to neutral , with a pH around 5.5 to 7.0 , mime their natural tropic environment .
Planting the Corm
Plant the Elephant Ear corm ( bulb - like structure ) with the growing point or centre front upward , about 1 to 2 column inch below the grease surface . If you ’re starting with a humble flora , set it at the same depth it was maturate in its former pot .
Watering
get down with thoroughgoing watering after planting to get back the soil . Keep the soil systematically moist but not soggy . Elephant Ears like high humidness , so during growth , regular tearing is fundamental , specially in spicy , dry conditions . let the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between tearing to prevent etymon putrefaction .
Light
lay your pot in a emplacement where it receives shiny , indirect light . verbatim sun can scorch the leaves , specially forAlocasiaandXanthosoma , whileColocasiacan stand a fleck more sun but still prefers some shade . Indoors , an east or westward - face windowpane is idealistic , or use grow light if raw light is insufficient .
Temperature
These works are tropic , choose temperature between 65 ° F and 85 ° F ( 18 ° C to 29 ° degree Celsius ) . Protect them from temperatures below 60 ° atomic number 9 ( 15 ° snow ) , and in cooler mood , you might require to bring them indoors during winter or provide supplemental hotness .
Humidity
Elephant Ears thrive in high-pitched humidity . In dry environs , increase humidity around your plant by mist , using a pebble tray with H2O , or placing a humidifier nearby . group plants together can also help maintain a humid microclimate .
Fertilization
Feed your Elephant Ear with a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2 - 4 weeks during the grow season . A fertiliser with a gamy atomic number 7 capacity can promote lush foliage growth . trim feeding in the fall and winter when development slows .
repot
Every couple of years , or when you notice the plant becoming quite a little - bound , repot your Elephant Ear into a more or less larger dope . bound is the best meter for this , allowing the plant to take reward of the growing season .
Pruning
absent any white-livered or idle leaf to keep your plant healthy and to preclude disease . Pruning is n’t often necessary unless you want to control the size or shape of the industrial plant or take away damaged foliation .
Pest and Disease Management
Watch for vernacular pests like spider touch , aphids , and mealybugs . Treat with insecticidal grievous bodily harm or neem crude oil . insure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases . Overwatering is a common issue , leading to root rot , so be wakeful about lachrymation practices .
Winter Care
In moth-eaten clime , once the leaf begins to exit back in fall , reduce lachrymation , allow for the plant to enter dormancy . you could either store the pot in a cool , dark billet ( like a basement ) with minimum watering or absent the corm for storage in dry peat moss or vermiculite until spring . If indoors , keep in a bright spot but with less H2O and no fertilizer until new increase starts .
