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Foliage plant life are often used as a backdrop or makeweight , but there are some species that truly merit to be the mavin of the show . While most splashy foliage industrial plant are coloured , some bank on sizeand shape to make an impression . Elephant ears are one such plant . These large , gorgeous plants will capture you and your Edgar Guest ’ attending , whether you grow a little indoor variety or allow one of the larger plants take up space in your thousand . To help you get begin arise these beautiful plant , here is our elephant ear plant upkeep guidebook .
Planting elephant ear plants
Elephant ear plants grow best in rich , well - enfeeble soil . amend the soilwith compost before you begin can help ameliorate pitiable grunge if you are n’t sure that the soil in your garden is productive enough . take a planting website in full or partial sunlight . Elephant ear need at least 6 hours of sunshine each day , so annul planting them too airless to large plants or social system that could cast vestige over them . to boot , choose a space that is at least a few groundwork out from other plant . Elephant ears can acquire quite big , so it ’s important not to push them .
you’re able to find elephant ear seedlings or young plants in some nursery , but it ’s also well-to-do to grow elephant ear plants from bulbs . pick out a healthy bulb without any blemishes , hollow , or squishy character . Plant it with the point confront upward and deep enough that the total bulb is overcompensate . Typically , this is around 5 inches deep , but you should adjust accordingly if your bulb is big or smaller .
you could start your elephant ears indoors at any metre , but wait until the atmospheric condition begins to warm up up to imbed them alfresco . Elephant ear plants do n’t do well in cold weather , especially when they are young .
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Caring for your elephant ears
for thrive , elephant ear works need sunshine , warmth , humidness , and steady lachrymation . Water your elephant ear whenever the soil is dry , especially in hot conditions . Although elephant ears love lovesome atmospheric condition , they still require supererogatory weewee to report for how chop-chop it disappear . humidness is more difficult to control outdoors , but haze over your plants occasionally will go a long way toward keeping them fresh .
Indoor elephant auricle plant should be in a gay window or anywhere that has promising , collateral light . Keep them forth from draught and air vents , particularly during cold weather . The dry air from vents and the cold-blooded gentle wind from drawing can weaken elephant ear plants . You do n’t need to prune your elephant ear , but you may slay all in , damaged , or diseased leaves . Be indisputable to expend a sharp , clean pair of scissors or garden shears , andwash the tool thoroughlyafterward to prevent spreading bacteria from one plant to another .
Although elephant ear plant are well known for their leave-taking , they will bloom flowers under the right circumstances . These flowers resemble pacification lily , as they are actually related . The efflorescence do n’t need to be deadheaded , but you’re able to off them if you prefer .
Common problems and solutions
The most rough-cut problem elephant auricle plants face , as well as their solutions , boil down to right care . Overwatering and dusty impairment are the causes of these problems , but they are as luck would have it easy to avoid and correct . Overwatering can cause a variety of fungous infection , with one of the most common being folio spots . This happens when a combination of overwatering and sozzled leaves causes fungi to grow on the leaf , dampen your industrial plant . Careful watering will go a long way to prevent this . To correct this problem , remove infect leaves and let the territory ironical before water it again . If your elephant auricle plant is potted , repotting it in impertinent , dry soil will assist as well .
moth-eaten conditions induce elephant spike to wilt and their leaves to become discolored . If your elephant spike is outdoors , you could use mulch and a flora cover charge to shield it from the worst of the cold damage .
The net trouble is not one with the plant ’s wellness , but rather yours . Elephant ear plants have a skin irritant that can get multitude to break out into rashes , specially if they come into tangency with the sap . Handle your elephant ear with care , andwhen in doubt , don gloves ! Additionally , this skin - get to caliber go to the mouth and throat of any multitude or animals that chew on it , have ittoxic to mass and positron emission tomography . Keep your elephant ear well away from curious deary or children , and seek medical attending if you consider they have eaten any of your elephant ear plants . While mild case of elephant ear poisoning are more common than severe ones , the symptom are still profoundly unpleasant .
Elephant ear plant can be a show - break off addition to your home or garden . With the proper care , these big , leafy plants are sure to wave , wowing you and your guests . While they ’re easy to grow in tender climate , the smaller mixed bag of elephant spike plants can grow indoors in any region . Just be certain to keep them warm , watered , and off from pets !
