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Elephant ears as houseplants


All About Elephant Ears

Alocasias and colocasias, better known as elephant ears, are impressive tropical plants that are prized for their dramatic foliage. Their immense leaves can measure up to 2 feet across, with foliage colors ranging from lime green to almost black. Upright elephant ears (Alocasia) usually have shiny leaves that often display colorful variegations. They can be grown indoors as well as out. Colocasia have a more spreading habit and their leaves typically have a velvety surface texture. Elephant ears can easily hold their own as a solo plant in the garden or in a large container. They also combine beautifully with other summer bulbs and flowering annuals.

Start with a Better Plant

It’s easy to see the difference in quality when you compare two elephant ear tubers side by side. As with other bulbs, elephant ear tubers are graded by size. We offer large tubers that are 9-11 inches in circumference. They grow into big plants with strong stems and abundant foliage. Smaller tubers (like the one on the right) produce smaller plants with less foliage. Note that a healthy elephant ear tuber will feel firm and heavy, and have a dry exterior.

Plan for Success

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. In cooler areas (zones 3-8) the bulbs are planted in the spring and usually grown as annuals. To find your USDA Hardiness Zone, check the map here.

When to Plant: Elephant ears are planted in spring after any danger of frost has passed. The tubers will not grow until the soil is warm, so don't plant them until the soil temperature is at least 65ºF. In northern climates this will be early June. To get a jump on the season, elephant ears may be started in pots indoors, 4 to 6 weeks before you plan to put them outside. Grow them under lights or in a warm, sunny window.

How to Plant Elephant Ears

1. Wait until the soil is warm and there's no danger of frost. Loosen the soil 8" deep. Dig a hole about 5" deep.

2. Set the tuber in the hole, pointy side up. The top of the tuber should be about 1” below the soil surface.

3. Cover the tuber with soil and water thoroughly.

Planting Tips and What to Expect

Elephant ear tubers can be very slow to sprout. Depending on when and where they are planted, it may take more than a month before you see any sign of growth.

Plant elephant ears in rich, well drained soil. Before planting, improve the soil with compost or topsoil to add nutrients and improve the soil's water-holding capacity.

For elephant ears to reach their full size, they need consistent moisture throughout the summer. They also benefit from an application of liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.

In warm, frost-free climates (zones 9-11), elephant ears can be grown outdoors year-round. In cooler areas (zones 3-8) they are usually grown as annuals. When planted in spring, they become large, impressive plants within just a few months, so be sure to give them plenty of room.

Where to Plant Elephant Ears

Containers, Patios and Decks  Elephant ears are a perfect solution for shady porches, decks and other places around your home that are not in full sun. The large, heart-shaped leaves add a tropical feel to pools, spas and water gardens.

Walls and Fences  Planting elephant ears next to a wall or fence protects the plants from wind and too much sun. It also puts their big leaves to work, softening straight lines and adding visual interest to blank walls.

Entryways  Add a "wow" element to your front door by planting elephant ears in large containers. They make a big statement and always impress guests. Plant them on their own or pair them with other plants such as caladiums or coleus.

Screening  The broad leaves and tall stems of elephant ears can be used to screen an unwanted view or define a space in your garden. Planting them along a property line or around an outdoor living area will make your yard feel more private.

Indoor Houseplant  Upright elephant ears can also be grown indoors as long the plants get enough light and water. Their attractive foliage can be an exciting feature all year round.

Caring For Ears in the Fall 

Elephant ears will not survive freezing temperatures, so they are winter hardy only in zones 9-11. In colder areas, you can either treat elephant ears as annuals and discard them at the end of the growing season, or you can store the tubers indoors and replant them next year.

If you want to store alocasia or colocasia tubers from one year to the next, dig them up in the fall before temperatures drop below 40°F. Dig carefully, starting about a foot away from the center of the plant. Lift the plant out of the ground (or out of the pot) and move it to a warm, dry place where it will be protected from frost. Once the root ball is dry, cut back the stems and use your hands to pull away the soil. Allow the tuber to continue to dry. When dry, wrap each tuber separately in paper and store in a warm, dark, dry place at 50-60ºF.

Upright elephant ears (Alocasia) may be brought indoors and grown as houseplants. Keep the plants in bright, indirect light and keep the soil consistently moist, not wet.

To see our selection of elephant ears click HERE.

To see a video about digging, splitting and storing elephant ear bulbs click HERE.

 

Learn More:

Can elephant ears be grown as a houseplant?

Elephant ears hitting their full potential in the ground.

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Q:

I live in a cottage at Messiah Village, and except for hanging baskets and a few perennials, I have become an inside gardener (mainly African violets, philodendra, several floor plants, etc.) I bought something on sale after Christmas called an "elephant ear" or Alocasia. It was with the houseplants, however, my research shows it as an outside plant. Can I keep it as a houseplant? If I plant it outside, must I bring it in each fall?

A: Alocasia (a.k.a. elephant ear or African mask plant) is a big-leafed tropical that's usually grown as an outdoor summer plant around here. However, it'll also work as a potted plant that you can grow inside or use as a houseplant in cold weather and then move outside in summer.

The leaves won't get quite as big inside in a pot as outside in the ground, but alocasia is still an impressive specimen.

The plant grows from a bulb. To grow it as a houseplant, start with a large pot (14- to 18-inch would be good), fill it about three-quarters full with a light-weight potting mix, and plant the bulb with the root side down about 8 inches deep.

A bright spot is ideal, although the plant also will grow in medium indoor light. If you've got a really bright window with direct sun and notice that the leaves are bleaching in color or getting brown around the edges, move to a slightly dimmer spot.

If anything's going to go wrong, it'll be overwatering. Don't use heavy potting soil and consider lightening what you do use with a little extra perlite, coarse sand or coir.

If you're using a pot without holes, be careful not to water so much that the soil becomes soggy. Otherwise, place a saucer under a pot with drainage holes so you don't water your carpet! The goal is to keep the soil consistently damp but never bone dry or soggy.

Another issue you might run into is that your alocasia probably will try to go dormant at the end of the growing season – even inside. In its native environment, the plant dies back and "rests" for a couple of months before starting a new cycle.

In your case, when the plant dies back, just cut off the dead foliage and stop watering. Wait about 8 or 10 weeks and start watering again to trigger new growth. This would also be a good time to repot into fresh soil and/or dig up and divide the bulb if it's getting too big for your pot.

Fertilize once a month with a balanced fertilizer (something like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20).

For outside growth, just plant the dormant bulb about 8-10 inches deep in mid-May and then cut back and dig up the bulb for winter storage in sand or peat moss when frost kills the foliage.

One other thing you should know if you have pets or visiting toddlers – alocasia is toxic if eaten. It's high in oxalates and can cause burning of the mouth, tongue and lips as well as vomiting and difficulty swallowing.

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Alocasia - elephant ear - description, photo

Alocasia (Alocasia) - a plant whose homeland is tropical forests. The natural habitat of alocasia is the Philippines, Ceylon, Malaysia. The plant belongs to the aroid family.

In the wild, there are more than fifty species of alocasia, differing from each other in plant height, as well as in the shape and color of the leaves. However, all types of alocasia are united by common features - the presence of a tuberous root system and thyroid leaves, pointed towards the end of the form with pronounced veins. It is because of the original shape of the leaves that the people often call the plant "elephant's ear". Alocasia leaves are also interesting because they help the plant to remove excess moisture during prolonged tropical rains through special water stomata. Home alocasias are also able to remove excess water with the help of leaves during excessive watering and high humidity. nine0005

Flowering of the plant, both in the wild and in artificial cultivation, is quite rare. Alocasia flowers are small, white or pale pink, collected on the cob. Since the flowers of alocasia do not represent any aesthetic value, it is recommended to remove them so that the growth of the leaves of the plant does not slow down.

When working with the plant, remember that the juice of alocasia is poisonous and can cause itching and redness if it comes into contact with mucous membranes or skin!

Due to their rather large size, not all types of alocasia can be grown at home. nine0005

The main types of alocasia suitable for growing in urban apartments

Alocasia Sander (Alocasia Sanderiana) - the height of the plant reaches fifty centimeters, the leaves are large, shiny, dark green in color with light veins, the edge of the leaf is zigzag.

Alocasia Sander

Alocasia Polly (Alocasia Polly) is a variety of Sander's alocasia. A plant with a small number of leaves (usually no more than 7 pieces), while the leaves themselves are large, glossy, rich green in color with thick light veins. The root system is tuberous. nine0005 Alocasia Polly

Alocasia Black Velvet (Alocasia Black Velvet) is a low plant, reaching no more than 25 centimeters in height. The leaves are large (about 30 cm long), oval in shape, the leaf surface is velvety to the touch, dark green in color with a light vein pattern. Quite often it blooms at home, the peduncle is in the form of an ear of white-pink color.

Alocasia Black Velvet

Alocasia Reginula (Alocasia Reginula) - similar to Black Velvet, but unlike Black Velvet, the leaves of this plant are glossy, rich dark green in color. nine0005 Alocasia Reginula

Alocasia Amazonica (Alocasia Amazonica) is a tall plant reaching sixty centimeters in height. The leaves are large, heart-shaped, elongated, usually dark green. The veins of the leaves are light, stand out well against the background of the leaf, which is also characteristic of other types of alocasia. The peduncle is an ear about 10 cm long; at home, it blooms quite rarely.

Amazonian Alocasia

Alocasia Calidora (Alocasia Calidora) is one of the largest species of Alocasia intended for home cultivation. Due to its size, it is more suitable for large rooms with high ceilings, winter gardens and greenhouses. A plant with large, bright green, heart-shaped leaves. Unlike other species, veins do not stand out on the leaves of Alocasia Calidora. nine0005 Alocasia Kalidora

Alocasia cucullata (Alocasia cucullata) is a plant up to 1 m high, with large glossy bright green leaves.

Alocasia klobuchkovy

Care of alocasia. Maintenance at home

Alocasia is a very unpretentious plant. Since the homeland of alocasia is warm and humid tropical forests, even at home, the plant needs to provide a fairly high air temperature (about 20-25 ° C in summer, 18 ° C in winter) and regular, sufficient watering. It is necessary to water the plant especially often in the hot summer months, preventing the earthen clod from drying out. In winter, watering should be significantly reduced. Alocasia loves high humidity. Periodic spraying of the plant and placing a bowl with alocasia in a tray with wet pebbles or expanded clay helps to achieve the necessary humidity at home. nine0005

Fertilization and replanting

Alocasia should be fertilized only in the spring and summer months, the frequency of fertilization is once or twice a month. Complex mineral fertilizers are well suited for feeding the plant.

It is necessary to transplant a young plant annually, an adult - once every two years. The soil for transplantation should be slightly acidic (pH - 5.5) and nutritious. The composition of the soil suitable for alocasia is one part of peat, leaf and coniferous soil, half of sand, a little sphagnum can be added to the soil. nine0005

Propagation

Alocasia is propagated by cuttings, daughter tubers, rhizome division, seeds.

The simplest and most common way to propagate alocasia is by daughter tubers: a young tuber is taken from the mother plant and placed in a pot with soil. The tuber must be covered with a plastic bottle with a cut off bottom (a bottle neck with a hole on top for better ventilation) and watered periodically, preventing the earthen clod from drying out.

Note that seed propagation is not suitable for variegated alocasia, as this trait is not transmitted by this form of propagation.

Diseases and pests

The main pests of alocasia are spider mites, aphids, scale insects and mealybugs. The main reason for the appearance of pests on alocasia is high ambient temperature and dry air. Pest control measures - a soapy solution that needs to be periodically wiped over the stems and leaves of the plant. If the plant is heavily infected, you can use Actellik solution, about one or two milliliters per liter of water. nine0005



Alocasia - elephant's ear

Alocasia is called elephant's ear for its very large, shiny, heart-shaped leaves with wavy edges. The foliage is indeed varied and magnificent - veined in red, bronze, blue-green or purple.

Alocasia is also called the African mask, although it does not grow in nature in Africa. Just a bizarre pattern of leaves in many species is associated with African ritual masks. Alocasia can turn a group of houseplants into a true exotic tropical display. nine0005

Despite the fact that alocasia can compete in beauty with most other decorative leafy plants, it could have more fans. The problem is that these plants cannot be left unattended for a long time, they quickly react to improper care or violation of conditions of detention. But when all the requirements are met, the plant is quite simple to care for.

Details of cultivated species and varieties - on page Alocasia.

Indoors, alocasia requires conditions that closely replicate its natural habitat - the humid tropics. But proper care begins with the soil.

Growing alocasia

Soil . In nature, alocasia grows on rich, moist soils. For planting, you can use a special ready-made soil for aroid plants or a universal soil for indoor plants. The soil mixture itself is made up of the following components: leaf soil: humus: peat: sand (1:1:1:0.5). You can add pieces of charcoal and chopped sphagnum to the mixture. The main requirements for the substrate - it must be porous, with a slightly acidic environment (pH 5.0-6.0). For alocasia, tall pots are selected and provided with good drainage. nine0005

Transplant annually in spring into a pot 2-3 cm wider in diameter. Fast-growing specimens are transplanted twice a year, and adult specimens - every 2-3 years. Transplantation is best done by transshipment, without destroying the root ball.

It is not necessary to enlarge the pot too much - alocasia loves cramped space, and besides, in a large pot, the risk of waterlogging the substrate will increase.

Temperature . Alocasia is a tropical heat-loving plant, afraid of air conditioners, cold drafts and freezing. In summer, the comfortable temperature for the plant lies within + 22 ... + 26 ° С, in winter - + 18 ... + 22 ° С. The maximum allowable temperature at which it is already difficult to maintain a plant is + 29 ° C. And the minimum temperature for alocasia is + 16 ° C. A lower one leads to the fact that the leaves hang, and can provoke the onset of a dormant period. nine0005

Lighting . Alocasia prefer bright diffused light. It is optimal to place the plant on the windows of the east and west orientation. In the south, it is necessary to shade in the spring and summer from direct sunlight, otherwise the leaves can get serious burns.

The most tolerant of direct sunlight in the morning are zebra-striped and large-rhizome alocasia.

Alocasia with green foliage can withstand some shade, while the variegated forms can only be seen in all their glory with sufficient light. nine0005

Watering . The plant is very moisture-loving, in the spring-summer period requires abundant watering. It is produced in several steps, so that the soil is evenly saturated with moisture, until the water enters the pan. Excess water is drained from the pan. Between waterings, the top layer of soil is allowed to dry to a depth of about 5 cm. The soil should always be moist, but not dry or damp.

In winter, watering is somewhat reduced, allowing the plant to stand for a day with a dried top layer of soil. nine0005

Try to keep the soil evenly moist. It is important to prevent overdrying of the soil, as well as waterlogging, which can have a detrimental effect on the plant. Alocasia reacts very quickly to a lack or excess of moisture.

For details, see article Rules for watering indoor plants.

Humidity . Alocasia prefers high humidity. A pot with a plant is placed on a pallet with wet expanded clay. Make sure the plant is on expanded clay and not in water. The plant is sprayed with non-cold settled water, but in winter this is done carefully. Leaves in spring and summer are wiped from dust with a damp cloth. nine0005

Top dressing . The plant is fed every 2 weeks with a half dose of fertilizer for decorative foliage plants from the end of March to September. Excess fertilizer leads to the accumulation of salts in the soil and the burning of leaves. In winter, the subcortex is canceled. Of the fertilizers, it is best to choose organo-mineral, or alternate mineral with organic.

Read more in article Feeding indoor plants.

Quiet period . In winter (October to March), a relative dormant period begins, caused by low light and humidity. The need for moisture is reduced, so water the plant moderately, do not feed and maintain the recommended low temperature content (see above). Do not worry in winter if the plant continues to grow, that is, new leaves appear.

Some types of alocasia have a real dormant period, their foliage dies off for the winter. But indoor-grown species usually do not belong to them. However, some alocasias enter a dormant state if there is a combination of short days with low temperatures. This can be avoided if, with the approach of winter, the plant is moved to a warmer place. Next, you need to follow the usual instructions for caring for the plant. The only difference is that watering is limited and the plant is not fed until new leaves appear in the spring. nine0005

Flowering . In room conditions, flowering is extremely rare. You'll have the best chance of seeing a modest cob with a little veil if you grow Black Velvet alocasia, which blooms the most readily. The rest can bloom in greenhouses and warm tropical winter gardens, especially when grown not in a pot, but in the ground, as well as in the presence of artificial lighting.

However, you should not be upset about this, because alocasias are most valued for their beautiful foliage, which, by the way, often hides inflorescences. Yes, and they do not represent much decorativeness, the leaves are much more beautiful. So the focus should be on maintaining healthy foliage. nine0005

Scarlet berries are sometimes set in greenhouses, but not in all alocasias.

Poison . Alocasia contain a toxic transparent milky sap that can cause irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, and if ingested, vomiting. The tubers of different species have different degrees of toxicity, some contain a high dose of calcium oxalate, just like the leaves of most alocasia. In addition, some species contain hydrocyanic acid. Plants should be placed out of the reach of children and pets. Work on transplanting and dividing - to be done with gloves. Hands should be thoroughly washed with soap even after simply rubbing the leaves. nine0005

Pests and diseases . Alocasia is affected by mealybugs, scale insects, aphids, and spider mites. For prevention, you can spray the plant every few weeks with warm water and insecticidal soap.

More details - in the article Pests of indoor plants and measures to combat them.

When alocasia is over-watered, or when the leaves are constantly wet, various fungal diseases develop, such as stem and root rot, leaf spot. These diseases usually appear as dark brown or black spots on the leaves surrounded by a yellowish margin. The best way to prevent disease is to avoid overwatering, keep the leaves dry, and ensure good air circulation around the plant. If the plant is still sick, quickly remove damaged and drooping leaves, isolate from other plants and treat with a fungicide. nine0005

Alocasia propagation

Alocasia are propagated by daughter tubers, rhizome division, stem cuttings and fresh seeds.

Vegetatively the plant is propagated during transplantation, in spring. When dividing, they try to keep the roots intact. Places of cuts are treated with crushed charcoal. When planting, the upper part of the rhizome is left on the soil surface, otherwise the plant will not develop. Rooting is faster and more successful in the presence of lower heating (for example, on a warm windowsill), at an air temperature of at least + 20 ... + 23 ° C, with spraying and careful watering, with regular ventilation. Young plants develop quickly. nine0005

Most alocasias generally grow quickly, in the warm summer months they are able to produce a new leaf every week, and each new leaf can be twice as large as the previous one. But in room conditions, it is normal if the plant develops at a moderate pace, giving a leaf every month.

Seeds of are sown immediately after collection in the substrate recommended above, at a shallow depth. Germinate at a temperature of +22 ... +24 ° C in a greenhouse. Moisturize by spraying, not forgetting about airing. Shoots dive twice, the last time in 7-centimeter hills. When the roots are completely braided with a lump, they are again transplanted into a large container. In a year, the seedlings will give large leaves characteristic of a particular species or variety. nine0005

The seed method is unacceptable for variegated forms, which transmit their decorative features only during the vegetative propagation method.

Possible difficulties in growing alocasia