How to Care for Elephant Ear Plants

Tall single stalk alocasia.

Elephant ear plants require little care and attention. They grow well in a variety of conditions making them an excellent choice to add a tropical look to your garden without requiring much maintenance. Elephant ears, from the genera Alocasia, Colocasia and Xanthosoma, tolerate a wide range of soil types and thrive in shade or sun with little or lots of water. The plant’s name derives from the large shapely leaves resembling the ear of an elephant which sprout from the tuberous stock. They are grown for foliage in temperate climates.

Things You'll Need

• Compost
• Shovel
• Water
• Pruners

Instructions

1. Provide a mix of soil rich in composted organic matter to stimulate lush prolific growth. Cultivate compost into the soil of the root zone within a 1-foot diameter of the stock and at a depth of several inches. Do this three times a year to ensure a steady supply of necessary nutrients.

2. Plant elephant ears beneath other taller plants in the garden for best growth. The canopy created by the branches and leaves of taller plants will provide a dappled light which elephant ears respond well to, although some varieties tolerate full sun.

3. Apply abundant water several times per month and thoroughly drench the root zone. Although the emphasis in watering should be to saturate the soil, spraying down the foliage helps contribute to the overall health of the plant, too.

4. Trim away dead or withering leaves as they appear to encourage fresh growth and to maintain an attractive appearance. Regular pruning of dead or dying leaves also helps to prevent insect infestations.

5. 

   Remove sucker shoots as they form on the stalk of large alocasia varieties to maintain a singular trunk with one head (as shown in the first photo) similar to a palm tree or allow suckers to grow for a bushier appearance with multiple heads (as shown here). Sever the trunk at soil level if the elephant ear grows too tall and it will produce new growth in short order.

Tips & Warnings

• While elephant ears can grow in poor soil conditions with little water, they perform best with frequent watering and regular applications of compost, loam, or humus. Chemical fertilizer commonly found in granular form at nursery supply stores will also work.

• These plants make great container specimens, too. When potted, they require more frequent watering and a constant supply of nutrients to look their best.

• Lowering growing varieties naturally go through a cycle of dormancy at certain times of the year and will lose their leaves and appear to die off. During this natural resting period the soil should be allowed to dry out somewhat between watering to avoid rot.

• Although elephant ears are widely grown and a popular plant among home gardeners they contain toxins and can be poisonous if eaten. Care should be taken around children and pets.