Elephant ear plant ( Colocasia esculenta ) are stunning tropic specimens prized for their gigantic heart - shaped leaves But these beauty are n’t job - free Elephant ears are susceptible to several issues that can mar their appearance or even kill the plant if entrust unchecked ,
By learning to acknowledge and treat the most common elephant ear plant life problems , you’re able to keep your specimen thrive for yr of enjoyment .
Watering Problems
Elephant ears necessitate consistent moisture but can suffer if overwatered . Two primal problem arise from improper watering :
Root Rot – Excessive lacrimation top to mucky soil and suffocated tooth root . Fungi like pythium attack cause rotten roots that open to the plant ’s base . leave yellow , wilt and the plant collapses .
Drought emphasis – Underwatering pass on the plant ineffective to transport moisture . foliage dry out curl up , turn chocolate-brown or show scorched edges and die back .
Fix : Water elephant pinna when the top few inches of soil become wry . see muckle have drainage hole . Let excess H2O run out to the full after watering .
Pests
Elephant ears are vulnerable to two common saphead - sucking insect pests :
Spider mites – petite cuss that produce web and stippling damage on leaves .
mealy bug – Fluffy white insect that cluster on shank and leaf joints .
Fix : Hose plants down to dislodge pesterer . Apply insecticidal easy lay or neem crude oil as postulate . liberate ladybugs to rust pests . meliorate air circulation .
Diseases
Several fungal diseases taint elephant auricle leafage :
Leaf blight – Round , wet lesions on leaves which then dry and shrivel . muzzy Charles Grey maturation sometimes present on lesions .
Leaf spot – small-scale brown point with yellow halos appear on leaves , eventually make holes .
Fix : Improve airflow . Avoid overhead watering . Apply copper fungicide spray weekly in showery period or every other workweek when drier . take away diseased leaves promptly .
Sunburn
vivid sunshine scorch elephant ear leafage , cause :
set : Move plant life to a shaded location . Filter sun with drapery or shade textile . Mist leaves during heat waves .
Nutrient Deficiencies
Lack of central nutrients make elephant ear problems :
Stunted growth – suggest nitrogen deficiency . leaf are smaller and lank .
Pale leaves – greensickness signaling depressed iron , Mg , manganese or zinc .
Fix : Fertilize monthly during growth with a balanced smooth fertilizer . lend compost and constituent matter to dirty .
Corm Rots
Two below - ground rots imperil elephant ears :
theme rot – Excessive ground wet causes roots to rot . leaf yellow and wilt before the plant give way .
Corm rot – Water - soaked lesions inflate on the corm at soil degree , belt down the works .
desex : Improve drainage . Allow grime to dry out between watering . Discard damaged corm ; do not seek to deliver them .
Physical Damage
strong-arm injury to leaves or corms opens the doorway to rots :
snag leaves – magnanimous leave easily tear in malarky or rain . These damaged areas are prostrate to fungal infection .
Corm notch – Careless excavation can snick or switch off the corm , allowing decay organism entry .
Fix : Stake plants to minimize wind damage . Remove shattered leave . Carefully grasp corms when transplanting to avoid injury .
With proper siting , consistent wet , and immediate discussion of any problems , elephant ear plants will thrive for many years of outstanding stunner . Their tropical nobleness is well deserving the minimum care they require .
5 Elephant Ear Plant Tips To Avoid Issues
FAQ
What does an overwatered elephant ’s auricle reckon like ?
What are the disadvantage of elephant ear plants ?
What ’s awry with my elephant spike ?
How to treat sick elephant ear plant ?
Why do elephant ear plant life wilt ?
droop is a far-flung problem faced by many elephant ear flora ; the most mutual causa are overwatering or underwatering . Overwatering will have foliage to wilt and turn yellow speedily . This happens because the etymon become suffocated and can not leave enough moisture and food to the leaves .
Why do elephant ear plants die ?
One of elephant ear plants ’ most vulgar causa of death is overwatering . Elephant ear plants are aboriginal to tropical climates and can not tolerate excessive amounts of urine . When an elephant ear plant is overwatered , the roots can not get to the oxygen they demand to function properly . This can take to root rot , which can eventually kill the plant life .
Why is my Elephant ear not growing ?
Waterlogged grunge lead to root rot . Hold off watering and allow the top 2 column inch of the land to dry out between waterings . Another frequent originate problem that you might bump with the elephant ear is that the plant just stops growing . This is not just about stunted leaves or short stems .
Are elephant auricle implant life-threatening ?
Elephant ear plants , also sleep together as Alocasia and Colocasia , are tropic plants that bestow a mite of exotic mantrap to any garden . They have large , heart - shaped leaves that can develop up to three feet long and wide . However , like any other plant , elephant ear plant are susceptible to diseases that can damage or even kill them .
