How to Care for Indoor Elephant Ear Plants (original) (raw)

Shirley Bovshow is giving you professional tips on how to care for elephant ear plants.

Indoor Elephant Ear Plant Care

CARE INSTRUCTIONS:

• Environment: A large space and large container for your Elephant Ear plant are ideal.
• Sunlight: Put near bright sun (south or west window), but not in direct sunlight. This can burn the leaves.
• Ideal temperatures: 60-80 degrees
• Humidity is important: Place plant on a saucer with pebbles and water to create a humid ambiance. (Or you can use a mister)
• Watering: Soil should be maintained evenly moist but not saturated. Water when the soil starts to feel a little dry.
• If your Elephant Ear plant gets too much water, it will let you know by “weeping” or dripping water from the tip of the leaf.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PLANTING FROM A BULB:

Fill large container 3/4 of the way with rich, well-draining potting soil.
Place the bulb root side down and cover with soil and water.
The top of the bulb should be at least 1” below the soil.
Place in a sunny spot indoors and follow the care instructions above.

TIPS:

Fertilize your elephant ears plant with a general indoor plant fertilizer at half strength 1 x per month.
Full strength is too strong a dose for a houseplant and may cause rampant growth before it's ready for it.
Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth 1 x per week to keep the "plant pores" or "stomata" open.
Dusty, clogged leaves can lead to a weak plant that will be more susceptible to illness and pests!