Are you curious about “How often do you water elephant ears” but before that let me tell you these giant leafy plants need a lot of water and a place which is warm. It’s a tropical plant that can be dug up in winters and plant back in spring to protect its life.
How often do you water elephant ears? Elephant ears plant often need water once in every three days to 2-3 inches from topsoil. When Planted in the ground, elephant ears requires regular water on summers or in hot climate. You don’t need to water elephant ear plants if there is rainfall or your soil is too soggy. On sunny days Our elephant ears need a lot of water and it may require you to water it in a 3 days time period.
While in winters they go in dormant stage so they basically need very low water or mostly it will absorb water through moisture. Still you should take good care of elephant ear plants in winters because they can’t tolerate heavy snow or freezing temperature and if you see your plant leaves turning yellow or brown it could be because of cold and overwatering. Water less or rarely in cold climates and let me tell you some people even take out the elephant bulbs and save it for next season so they replant them in spring.
In the growing season, the elephant ear plant requires fertilizer so that it can produce larger leaves with bright colors. If you forgot to water them for a few days then it may start to limp and might change the edges to brown. It’s an indication that our planet is feeling thirsty and needs water to grow.
These plants are generally grown outdoors in gardens or near the patio and they look amazing as their giant green leaves catch our attention easily.
Table of Contents
You can give elephant ear plant water daily on hot days but if you find any symptoms of leaves turning yellow, brown then stop and give it water only when the soil seems dry for about 2 inches from the top soil.
Elephant ear plant table:
| Scientific Name | Colocasia, Xanthosoma, Alocasia, Caladium |
| Family | Araceae |
| Common Names | Tarul, chembu ,Elephant ear,dasheen Coco yam, champadhumpa |
| Native | South and Central America, Asia and Australia |
| Height | 7 inch to 8 feet |
| Width | 2 feet |
| Light Requirement | Indirect, Bright Light |
| Soil | Well draining, Moist |
| Watering | Once a week or 2 in Summers |
| Fertilizer | Liquid based |
| Temperature | 66 to 77 degree F |
| USDA hardiness Zone | 8 to 11 |
| Flower Color | White to yellowish |
| Pests | Thrips and Spider Mites |
| Humidity | Moderate to High |
| Propagation | Division, Seeds |
| Elephant Ear plant varieties |
Colocasia esculenta
Colocasia esculenta Mojito
Colocasia esculenta Hawaiian Punch
Colocasia esculenta Black Stem
Colocasia esculenta Black Magic
Alocasia macrorrhiza Odora
Colocasia esculenta Diamond Head
Colocasia esculenta Tea Cup
|
| Toxicity | Yes, Poisonous to Pets, Humans |
How often do you water elephant ears?
Elephant ear plant often need 2-3 inches water every 6 days when grown in pots. When Planted in the ground, elephant ears requires 1-2 inch water per week based on the weather. You don’t need to water elephant ear plants if there is rainfall or your soil is too soggy. On sunny days Our elephant ears need a lot of water and it may require you to water it in a 3 days time period.
Elephant ears plant can be watered often on hot days. Mostly they are poured enough water many times to make the soil 2-3 inches wet. Some experts believe that you should never make soil completely dry but make it moist all time so the roots always have strength. This way plants can build giant elephant ears like leaves.
These plants are watered in 3-5 days based on the climate. If it’s extremely hot they need more water and if there is a colder area you may want to limit the watering for the time being.
Having a elephant ears plant in pot, we can determine if it is watered correctly because we can check the water If are water is draining or leaking out or not. Also inserting index finger for 2 inches in soil would tell us that the soil is dry or wet. If It’s dry then pour water and if not then wait for another 2 days for it to dry.
Watering often is important, the same way pouring too many times a week would make it vulnerable to fungus infections and root rot. Make sure it dries and is not overwatered. Elephant ear plant like moist soils and if rain happens in your area don’t water until it dries 1 inch top soil because the rainy water makes the soil too soggy.
Watering CAN/Kettle –
If you are facing problem with elephant ear plant broken stem check here.
How do I know if my elephant ears need water?
Sings of elephant ears that can tell if they need water. First look at the leaves if its curling or dried out it definitely requires good amount of water. Also check the soil for 2 inches and you can find 2 things whether the soil is dry or is still moist. If elephant ears have dry soil then pouring watering is the best thing it needs to make it feel relaxed. People should give water to elephant ears once a week or on hot days it requires in 3 days.
Your plants can also survive heavy heat if given proper water and can avoid leaf spots. When water drains out from the pot, it is a good indication that your pot is not storing water which makes the roots watery and let it rot. This results in fungal infection and plants may die if it does happen.
Elephant ear needs less water in winters due to the fact that it can go in dormant stage which generally is the season when the plant sleeps. Once the plant feels spring & heat as well they get awake and start growing. I have such a large elephant ear plant which needs daily water and a perfect location that fulfills the requirement of growing healthy.
These plants also need a good amount of fertilizer because of the larger leaves. They need the plant food in growing season, don’t over fertilize your elephant ear otherwise it gives a negative effect on plants.
Can you overwater elephant ears?
Yes you can overwater elephant ears but a good potting soil would definitely save your plant from getting rusted. Too much water is a big problem for many indoor and outdoor plants. If you have a good terra cotta pot it keeps the soil dry from the outside air, while the pot bottom hole drains out excessive water which saves the plant.
If anytime soon your plant is overwatered and you find yellowing of leaves then make sure the soil is present first it needs to dry. After that you add some dry potting mix and water it. Also determine the overwatering problem if it is something related to soil then change the soil mix today. Elephant ears are easy for growing in the garden but in thunderstorms and heavy monsoon winds, your plant needs layers of wood or thick sticks which support the stem of the elephant ear from the winds.
How to water elephant ear plant?
Here are following steps to water elephant ear plant:
- Firstly check for the soil by using your finger or wooden stick for 2 inch then take out you would possibly know if it’s wet or dry. Wooden sticks would be wet if the soil is wet or if you use fingers you may feel the wetness in soil or dryness.
- After Knowing about the dryness, you should have a watering CAN or kettle, use it for watering.
- Your elephant ear plant might be thirsty so now is the chance to give it water fully until the pot drains out water. Or if your plant is growing in the garden your soil would be wet or do it until 2-3 inches of soil gets wet.
- Now that you have successfully watered your elephant ear plant, take rest.
- Next time when they feel dry you know how to do it. Always spray or provide water to the soil not on the leaves otherwise your leaves may get some spots and might be some insect/pests come for water.
I written an in-depth article on Elephant ear plant problems – Check now.
Do elephant ears take a lot of water?
Yes, Elephant ears take a lot more water than normal indoor and outdoor growing plants. They have giant heart shaped leaves that need heavy watering. These plants are water loving and you may need to give them water more in summers when the sun is at the top and the climate has become too hot outside.
Also Read : Elephant Ear Plant leaves Turning Yellow – Why and How to Fix
Should I mist my elephant ear plant?
Elephant ear plant can be misted to clean its leaves and also to get rid of spider mites and other pests. On Very Hot days it needs misting but I would suggest giving it by the soil and not by misting the leaves. I know that misting would cool down and make the foliage moist. But it also creates plant diseases if the water stays on leaves for the evening.
Plants with big leaves like hydrangeas have seen the problem like black spots,m cercospora type of leaf spots just because the water sprayed on its leaves stayed and invited diseases to live.
Many believe that a wilted plant can be watered first because it most likely needs water but giving water to its leaves and not soil is another mistake people make while gardening. I would suggest giving water on the soil and not in the leaves. Elephant ear plant has bigger sized leaves so i wouldn’t want anyone to take risk and let the diseases stays because of common watering mistakes.
Yes, there are people who have good sunlight locations for elephant ear so they mist water in leaves and no diseases come there. But you need a good place for your elephant plant to grow that way.
Even manual cleaning the leaves and use of pesticide works in this case if any diseases occur.
Elephant ear plant – Shop Now.
Best Time To Water Elephant Ears
One of the most important things to remember about watering your Elephant Ears is that they need to be watered when the soil is dry. If you water your plant when the soil is moist, it will cause the plant to rot and die. The best time to water your Elephant Ears is in the morning, because they will take up less water than they would in the afternoon or evening.
Elephant Ears are a type of succulent that require a lot of water to grow. They can grow in any type of soil and they prefer to be watered during the morning hours. Elephant Ears need to be watered every day and should be watered until they are completely moist from the soil top. If you are unable to water them every day, it is important to water them once a week and make sure to feed the plants in summers.
Elephant Ears Watering Tips
- When watering elephant ears, it is important to not over water and to use the right amount of water.
- For example, don’t water your ears plants when it is raining.
- It is also important to make sure you water them at the same time every day.
- If you have a garden, it is best to water your plants in the morning before you start your day so that they will prepare food in presence of light and it become healthy with morning watering.
Elephant ears plant Care
Caring for elephant ears is moderate and for some people it can be hard due to the fact that the leaves are bigger and giant size. They requires fertilizer, regular watering, good sunlight and a lot of care from the harsh wind and climate. here are the few aspects of caring elephant ears plant:
Watering
The elephant ears needs a lot of water to grow and to become big. They have giant leaves which takes good amount of water to grow and thrive.
Temperature
They are hardy to warmer zones and they grow in 60-80 degree F temperature.
Humidity
The elephant ears needs moderate humidity to grow and thrive in the garden.
Light
They need at least 4- hours of sunlight to grow and if you place in it a partial shade area then make sure they have sunlight for few hours a day.
Soil
They requires best well draining soil with good compost.
Final thoughts
Watering any plant is important but elephant ears like large leafy plants need more. So I hope you get the answer on “Elephant Ear Plant Watering”. All the best for future gardening. Thank you.
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