Elephant ears are one of those plant types that love plenty of water, whether you grow them in a garden or pot. But even with water-loving plants, too much water can be detrimental to the plant’s growth. But if they love moisture, can you give elephant ears too much water?
Although they like soil that’s always moist, overwatering elephant ears will trigger stem and root rot, causing the plant to wilt and droop and the leaves to turn yellow. As such, water your elephant ears generously at every watering, but ensure the soil is well-draining and does not retain too much water.
For most elephant ear growers, overwatering the plant may not appear as a concern, given the plant’s high need for water. But overwatering an elephant ear is possible. So, this article gives you the necessary information to ensure you do not give your elephant ears more water than they need.
Elephant Ear Plants: Overview and Characteristics
Elephant ears is an umbrella name given to plants in three tropical plant species within the aroid or arum genus in the Araceae family. The three plant species, Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma are popular for their large arrowhead-shaped leaves, which is also why they are called elephant ears.
Cultivars in the three species are generally grown for their ornamental leaves. The colors of the leaves can vary from dark green to purple to black with a silvery shine. Some species have lovely purple or cream-colored petioles and stalks.
Elephant ear plants flower rarely. The rare elephant ear flower is a spathe, a sheathing bract that encloses a rodlike spadix. The flower is unisexual.
Despite their similar appearance, elephant ear species have differences in structure and growth needs. For example, Alocasia and Xanthosoma plants have leaves that stand horizontally, with the leaf tips facing upwards. Instead, Colocasia elephant ear leaves tend to droop downwards.
Also, all three species of elephant ears grow from tubers known as corms. Although these corms are often called bulbs, they are not true bulbs. Alocasia tubers are thin and long, while those of Colocasia are large, rough, and swollen, similar to arrowroots.
Further, Colocasias grow well in direct sunlight and soil with plenty of water. They are also often grown in ponds. Alocasias, on the other hand, thrive better in moist, well-drained soil and part-shade locations.
These differences in sunlight and watering requirements explain why Alocasia elephant ears are more common as garden and houseplants. It’s also the reason why our mention of elephant ears in the rest of the article will majorly refer to the Alocasia plant.
So, how much water do Alocasia elephant ears need?
Watering Needs
Elephant ears are native to the wetland and tropical regions. They are thirsty plants accustomed to regular watering cycles, and thus, they love moist gardens or potting soil. This means elephant ear owners must consistently water their plants to ensure the soil is never completely dry.
If the leaves are drooping and wilting or turning brown or yellow, then there are watering issues affecting the plant. Dry soil is also a sign that your elephant ears need watering.
Factors That Influence Watering Frequency
To protect your elephant ears from problems related to watering, water your plant as recommended.
Here are some factors that can influence how often you should water your elephant ears:
Plant Age
If your elephant ear plant is newly planted, it has shallow roots so you need to water it every 1-2 days for the first 14 days to help it acclimate to the new environment and build a robust root system. Consider factors like rainfall and humidity levels and use them to adjust the watering routine for a new elephant ear plant. This will prevent overwatering.
For well-established, in-ground elephant ears, water only when 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) beneath the soil surface is dry. Assess the soil using your finger or a stick and water the plant at the sign of dryness, especially if several days pass without rain.
Hot and Dry Season
Water outdoor elephant ear plants more frequently in drought seasons so that the soil remains moist in the root zone.
You may not need water and an outdoor elephant ear plant if it’s raining, but scorching summers can dry out the soil quickly. You can apply a 2-inch (5 cm) mulch layer to keep the soil moist for longer during summer.
Another thing to consider is that elephant ears need partial shade during the day and will do well under a tree canopy during midday. If they’re in a sunny spot, the soil will likely dry out much faster, so you must water your plant more frequently.
Make it a habit to check the soil moisture about 3-5 days after watering your plant and add more water as soon as the surface is dry enough.
You also have to consider the age of the plant when evaluating the depth of dryness. A good rule of thumb is 1 inch (2.5 cm) for young plants and 2 inches (5 cm) for established plants.
Potting Soil Quality
If you have elephant ears in planters, water them regularly to ensure the soil remains moist. That could even mean daily watering during hot and dry weather because the soil in planters drains faster than the ground.
Water the soil as soon as the upper 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) is dry. Consider the size of the planter since the soil in a small pot will dry faster than that in a larger one.
Seasonal Considerations
Whether you have a garden or an indoor elephant ear plant, the plant will need more watering during the growing season. This will help your plant build strong leaves and stalks.
On the other hand, you won’t need to water your plant as much during the colder months. The plant consumes less water in cold weather and has a naturally slower growth rate.
It’s not uncommon for garden elephant ears to go into dormancy during winter in extremely cold weather. In this case, pruning the stems and digging out the corms is advised. You can store the tubers inside your home and plant them again in the warmer spring months.
Watering Over the Soil
- Use a can to pour water over the soil and let it flow until it starts to run out of the hole at the bottom of the pot. Be sure not to leave any water standing in the saucer below the pot.
- You can also water the plant by putting it under the faucet. Let the water run at low pressure until it drips out of the hole at the bottom.
- Allow all the extra water to drip before placing the plant back on the saucer.
Bottom Watering
- Fill the tub with enough water to reach half the elephant ear pot.
- Place the pot in the tub with water and allow the soil to absorb it.
- Wait for about 10-30 minutes until the soil is moist at the surface.
- Place the pot on a drip tray for about 20 minutes to remove the excess water from the soil.
This works for smaller cultivars, as it can be challenging and time-consuming to bottom water larger pots.
Symptoms and Causes Associated With Improper Watering
Improper elephant ear watering can cause a number of problems, including the following:
Brown Leaves
Elephant ear plants will have brown leaves if they suffer from the cold or are overwatered. Water the plant enough to ensure the soil remains moist but that it’s never soggy.
Overwatering can also be countered by ensuring the plant is in a location that’s warm enough with nighttime temperatures over 59 °F (15°C).
Crispy or Dry Leaves
An underwatered elephant ear plant or one in a spot with low humidity levels will have dehydrated leaves that feel crispy or appear dry. Water your plant if the soil doesn’t look moist enough to revive the leaves. If the plant is well watered but the leaves seem dry, spritz the plant regularly with tepid water.
Apply mulch to the soil surface to help retain more moisture.
Stem and Root Rot
Stem and root rot are usually caused by overwatering. The plant will appear to be drooping, and the leaves may have black or dark brown spots, while the leaf edges will be yellowish.
To prevent stem and root rot, do not leave the soil waterlogged, and ensure the plant gets plenty of free-flowing air. It’s also crucial to use well-draining potting soil and a pot with enough drainage holes.
Pale-Brown Leaves
Alocasia elephant ears thrive best in partial shade spots. If you expose them to strong direct sunlight, the leaves will turn pale brown. This mostly happens if the elephant ear plant was in a shady spot but was moved to an area with direct sunlight, causing leaf bleach.
To avoid this, acclimate an alocasia plant gradually before moving it to a new environment.
Leaves Dripping Water at the Tips
If your elephant ear plant starts to drip water at its tips, it is a sign that it’s being overwatered. Reduce the number of times you water your plant in this case.
Ensure you do not leave standing water in the soil after every watering.
Additional Problems: Yellowing Leaves and Pest Infestations
Apart from problems caused by watering, elephant ear plant leaves can turn yellow due to too little sunlight. If you have an indoor elephant ear plant with yellow leaves, place your plant near a window where it can receive enough light. Garden elephant ear plants should be planted in a part-shade location right from the start.
Alocasia elephant ears can also be invaded by pests such as scale insects, spider mites, aphids, and mealy bugs. You can protect your elephant ear leaves from pests by spraying a mixture of mild soap and water every couple of weeks. Severe pest invasions can be treated with neem oil or a pesticide containing neem oil.
Final Thoughts
Elephant ears love plenty of water to sustain moist soil. However, if too much water is given and the plant is consistently sitting in soggy soil, it can suffer from stem and root rot.
You’ll notice the leaves of your elephant ears turning yellow and the plant drooping if it is overwatered. Drips of water may also appear at the tips of the leaves. Water your elephant ear plant generously to keep the soil moist but give the soil enough time to dry a bit before watering again.
