Basic Elephant Ear Care
Known for their larger than life, heart-shaped leaves, Elephant Ear Plants are the new popular houseplant, and they’re super easy to care for! Our Elephant Ear Plant care guide has all the information you need to help your plant thrive.
Bright Indirect Light
I love the sunshine but too much direct light will damage my leaves.Water Frequently
I like my soil to be moist so make sure to water me often.High Humidity
I thrive in humid environments so please mist my leaves every so often.Potting Soil
I need soil specifically for indoor plants as it retains the right amount of water.Detailed Elephant Ear Care Information
Whether you’re looking to make sure your Elephant Ear is in it’s perfect conditions, or looking to see if one could work for your space. We’ve got you covered.
Elephant Ear plants need bright sunshine
But make sure you keep your Elephant Ear plant away from direct sunlight as this can cause leaf burn which unfortunately is irreversible. You might want to consider moving your plant a little closer to the window during winter to make use of all the sunlight. If you aren’t sure if your plant is getting enough light, you can use a sunlight monitor to test different spots in your home.
Keep the soil moist
One really important thing to remember when taking care of an Elephant Ear Plant is to keep the soil moist. You want to make sure that the soil doesn’t stay too dry in between waterings so keep a close eye on it and regularly check the moisture levels using a moisture meter.
They prefer warmer temperatures
Although they will still grow and survive in slightly colder homes, a warmer environment will really help your Elephant Ear plant thrive. Don’t be alarmed if there is no growth in the winter period, they are just adjusting to the temperature change.
Elephant Ear Plants love humid environments
As Elephant Ear Plants are native to the tropics, one important part of your care routine is to try and replicate some of that natural environment in your home. An easy way to do this is by increasing the humidity. We recommend this affordable humidifier available from Amazon. You can find out more about this in our detailed guide to humidity.
Only fertilise your Elephant Ear plant in Spring
This goes for most other houseplants too as this is when the growth period occurs. We also recommend using a water-soluble fertiliser like this one from Miracle Gro so that it is not as harsh on the root system.
Elephant Ear Plants are toxic to pets
If any part of your Elephant Ear plant is ingested by your dog or cat, it can cause mouth and stomach irritation so try and keep your furry friends away from the plant.
Rotate the plant to keep it balanced
You may find that over time your Elephant Ear Plant leans in towards the source of light. In order to keep the new growth equal and the plant balance, rotate your Elephant Ear Plant every month or so.
You can’t propagate a Elephant Ear Plant with stem cuttings
Unfortunately, propagating your Elephant Ear Plant isn’t the easiest. You can propagate your plant by dividing and repotting the runners into new individual plants.
Dusting the leaves is important
Due to the size of Elephant Ear leaves, they are prone to a large build-up of dust which can affect the plant’s health which is why we recommend wiping them down with a damp cloth every few weeks.
Prune the odd leaf as your plant ages
Over time, as your plant matures, we recommend pruning the older leaves that might be beginning to droop a little. Make sure you use clean, sharp shears to remove the leaf. We love these shears from Amazon.
You don’t need to repot your Elephant Ear Plant often
Don’t worry about needing to find a new pot for your Elephant Ear Plant all the time. You only really need to repot them when you start to see roots coming out at the bottom or top of your plant. When it is time to repot your Elephant Ear Plant, make sure you do it in spring or summer to coincide with the growing season.
Elephant Ear FAQs
Quick and simple answers to the most common questions we see about the Elephant Ear.
Elephant Ear plants need bright sunshine but make sure it is indirect as you don’t want to damage those gorgeous leaves and make sure that the potting mix remains moist as Elephant Ear plants don’t like heir soil to fully dry out. They also love warm humid environments sp make sure they aren’t being exposed to any drafts and misting the leaves will give the humidity a real boost.
Yes, all parts of the Elephant Ear plants are toxic when ingested.
Elephant Ear plants like moist but not soggy soil. This means you don’t want the potting mix to fully dry out for long periods of time, but you also want to avoid waterlogged soil. Finding a balance is key.
Elephant Ear plants love bright light and can struggle in areas with low light. However, it’s crucial that all light is indirect as intense sunlight can dry out and scorch the leaves.
Elephant Ear Care Starter Kit
We’ve put together this great little starter kit that includes all of the equipment and information you’ll need to take proper care of your Elephant Ear.
Common Problems with your Elephant Ear
Here are some common issues that you might run into. It’s important to diagnose any issues early to give your plant the best chance of bouncing back.
Yellow leaves on an Elephant Ear Plant can often be caused by watering issues. Check the moisture of the soil to see whether your plant is receiving too much or too little water. Also make sure there are sufficient drainage holes in the pot to avoid root rot. This moisture meter from Amazon is a great way to keep track of the moisture levels in the soil.
If the leaves on your Elephant Ear Plant are drooping, this will likely be caused by underwatering. Start by giving your plant a shower and letting the excess water run off. Then slowly increase the frequency and volume of water and the leaves should return to normal soon.
It is totally normal for your Elephant Ear Plant to occasionally lose a leaf, this is just part of the natural ageing process. However, if the rate of lead loss increases, check the moisture levels in the soil to check if your plant needs more or less water.
Brown patches or spots on the leaves is often a sign of overwatering. We recommend replacing the soil immediately with a high-quality potting mix and removing any roots that have rotted. Then adjust your watering schedule so the plant has time to dry out slightly between waterings.
Simple Elephant Ear Care Requirements
It sometimes helps to take caring for your plants back to the basics, here’s the key considerations that you should take into account when caring for your Colocasia.
These simple points should give you all you need to keep your plant happy and healthy for years to come.
| Common Name | Elephant Ear |
| Latin Name | Colocasia |
| Light | Bright Indirect Light |
| Water | Water Frequently |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
| Soil Type | Potting Soil |
