Elephant Ear Plant Care + Favorite Pots and Planters
Are you looking for a leafy plant to add to your house plant collection? I know I’m always looking for new plant aesthetics to add to my decor, and recently I decided to try out a plant called alocasia regal shield, or Elephant Ears, for the first time. I love taking trips to my local nursery to walk through the gorgeous, tropical feeling plant environment. On my last trip to the nursery I was immediately attracted to the broad heart shaped leaves of the Elephant Ears I found and after looking up how easy it is to care for them, I decided to pick up one for myself!
Here’s what I’ve learned about taking care of the Colocasia plant since I brought mine home…
SHOP MY OUTFIT ABOVE
How to Care for Elephant Ear Plant
AKA alocasia regal shield
Space
- Your plant will need lots of space for those big beautiful leaves! Alocasia grows rapidly even without fertilizer or any supplements. A large container is ideal.
Sunlight
- Alocasia grow naturally in tropical climates. Place your plant near bright sun (I’d recommend a south or west window) but not in direct sunlight, since the leaves can get burned. This replicates a tropical, jungle like environment.
Temperature + Humidity
- At least in the PNW, Colocasia is a great indoor plant; it's deal temperature ranges from 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- However, it also requires high humidity. Use a humidifier in the room where you grow the plant. Place a layer of rocks or pebbles between the pot and saucer to increase humidity and prevent root rot.
Watering
- Your plant's soil should be maintained evenly moist. Water about once a week to keep soil evenly moist but never soggy
-
If your plant gets too much water, it will drip water from the tip of the leaf, so keep an eye out for that and adjust your watering.
Shop my favorite planters with stands!
Tips
- To prevent disease problems, water the Elephant Ear Plant in the morning so that they can go into the night dry.
- Water from below (near the roots rather) than above the leaves. Try to keep leaves dry.
- Avoid fertilizing to avoid attracting gnats. Fertilizer has not been necessary for my plant; it's growing like crazy on its own!
- Personally, during these summer months, I have been watering mine every 7-10 days, and I plan to water it every two weeks in the winter.
I hope this was a helpful guide for anyone looking to incorporate an Elephant Ear plant into their indoor deco...here are some links to shop the rest of the breakfast nook:
© Sabrina tan
brand + web design by good on paper
