Elephant ear plants , with their vast iconic leaves are a fun and statement - realise addition to both outdoor and indoor space . However , these tropic plants require specific care to thrive . If your elephant ear plant ’s leaves set off droop , it in all likelihood bespeak an underlying issue . Read on to learn the most vulgar reasons an elephant ear industrial plant droop and how to furbish up it .
Overwatering
The number one drive of elephant ear leaves drooping is overwatering . Elephant capitulum prefer evenly moist , but not soggy grunge . With their vast leaves and speedy growth rate , they need quite a act more water than your average houseplant . However , allowing the ground to become waterlogged will cause tooth root rot and drooping leaves .
Check the wet level of the soil before watering . Only water when the top in or two of soil becomes dry . Make certain the slew has drain hole and that excess water can course out the bottom . If using a decorative pot , empty standing water from the dish . Consider repotting in an airier soil mix if drainage seems wretched .
Underwatering
While overwatering is the most common problem , allowing elephant ears to dry out too much can also induce droop . These tropical plants appreciate in high spirits humidity and damp dirt . If the leaf start to Robert Floyd Curl Jr. or flop over , it ’s a sign the plant needs H2O ASAP .
Check the dirt moisture before assuming underwatering is the issue . If the top several inches are dry , give the plant life a thoroughgoing soak now . Water until it drains from the bottom , give up the entire root ball to be saturated . go forward , moderate ground daily and water system when just slightly ironic . Increase humidity around the plant by mist daily or using a pebble tray .
Lighting Problems
Elephant ear plants need brilliant collateral light to thrive . low-toned twinkle causes the leaves to flag and flop over . If your plant sits in a corner or does n’t get any direct sun , stress moving it to a brighter region . due east or Rebecca West - face windows are ideal . spread out the pot on a regular basis so all sides get sunlight .
Too much verbatim sun will sear the leaves . If you notice burnt smudge in accession to drooping , move the elephant ear back from the windowpane a bit . Sheer mantle can aid filter vivid afternoon sun . Proper inflammation is fundamental to forbid droopy elephant ears .
Cold Temperatures
Elephant ear are tropical plants that favour affectionate conditions . Temperatures below 60 ° F can shock them and cause leaf drooping and yellowing . If you live in a cooler climate , move elephant ears inside before fall frosts arrive . In their native tropical environments , they never get freezing conditions .
Even if go on indoors , placing elephant ears too close to cold drafty windows in wintertime can damage them . Keep them aside from air conditioner vent-hole as well . deal supplement with a grow light if your home get down in wintertime . Prevent vulnerability to cold outdoor atmosphere when moving them in and out .
Improper Potting Mix
Elephant ears take a dirt that keep on wet but also has good drainage . A dim potting mix that compacts over clock time keep proper flow of air to the ancestor . Root rotting is common in too - heavy land , causing leaves to droop .
Repot elephant ears annually in a chunky , peat - free-base potting intermixture rectify with perlite or orchid bark . Terra cotta Mary Jane allow more air travel circulation than plastic or glazed ceramic . Make certain peck have drain cakehole to forbid waterlogging . Fertilize regularly to replenish nutrients that can leach out of easy potting mixes .
Common Pests
Insect infestations are yet another grounds of elephant ear drooping . plebeian pests like aphid , mealybugs , spider speck , and scale of measurement suck nutrient from the leave of absence , causing them to lose vigour . Inspect both sides of the leaves nearly to check for modest microbe . You may see steamy honeydew residue or fine webbing as well .
Isolate infested plants to prevent pests from spreading . Remove heavily infested leaves . washables leaves gently with insecticidal easy lay to kill bugs . Apply neem crude oil or other organic pest treatments weekly until the plague is under ascendence . Prevent by keep humidity up and hosing leaves on a regular basis to strike hard off pests .
What To Do For Drooping Leaves
If your elephant ear leaves are droop , refresh the possible causes above and make needed care adjustment :
With proper care , elephant ear leaves will stand tall and proud , showcasing their bold , tropic appeal . Pay unaired attention to moisture , weak , temperature , and pest bar for non - droopy elephant ears !
The Right Light and Temperature Touch
Hardy Elephant Ears are Goldilocks when it comes to brightness and temperature : they prefer conditions just justly . leaf that droop could be a sign that they need stable , shiny , indirect light and a steady temperature . avert unmediated sunshine , which can scorch leaves , and keep away from draught that can cause temperature fluctuation .
Reviving Droopy Leaves: Immediate Actions
When your Hardy Elephant pinna parting start to sag , play tight . First , trim any farewell that have passed the level of no take . This is nt giving up ; its strategical pruning to refocus the industrial plant energy .
Check the soil before you water . If it find like a dry summer twenty-four hours at the top column inch , its time to piss . But if its more like a swampland , hold off and let it dry out . expend tepid piss to stave off shocking your industrial plant system .
If your home is as dry as a talk on rouge dry out , consider boosting the humidity . A pebble tray or humidifier can be a game - modifier . Or , give your flora a quick , tepid rain shower for a humidity hit without the long - term commitment .
Why an Elephant Ear (Colocasia) leaf turns yellow and dies.
FAQ
How do I stop my elephant ear plant from droop ?
How to get Elephant Ears to place upright up ?
What does an overwatered elephant ’s spike look like ?
Why are my Elephant Ears not standing up ?
