Bring the tropics indoors with a feature plant that really likes to listen! Okay, technically, it doesn’t have ears, but the leaves of this tropical species do closely resemble elephant ears. Their resemblance is so uncanny, that they are commonly known by this name. Elephant ears (Alocasia spp.) are available in a variety of sizes, colours and textures. The larger leaf forms are popularly used indoors to hide those ‘not so nice’ looking corners of the room, whereas the smaller varieties are great for adding a little variety to benches, tables or used as low understorey plantings. With the wide variety currently available and their easy-care nature, you are sure to find a variety that will be music to your ears.
How to grow elephant ears in a pot
Choose a pot at least twice the size of the original pot. Position in a well-lit indoor space, but away from direct sunlight.
Partially fill your chosen planter with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any encircled or tangled roots.
Position in pot and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
Water occasionally, allowing the plant to slightly dry out between waterings.
Feed fortnightly from spring to autumn with Yates Thrive Indoor Liquid Plant Food or use a Yates Thrive Indoor Plants & Ferns Dripper which feeds for 4 weeks.
How to grow elephant ears in a garden
Choose a well-drained, partly shaded spot in the garden and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed.
Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container and gently tease the roots.
Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.
Mulch lightly with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, woodchip or pea straw and water in well.
Water once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions to keep the soil lightly moist.
Feed fortnightly from spring to autumn with Yates Thrive Indoor Liquid Plant Food or use a Yates Thrive Indoor Plants & Ferns Dripper which feeds for 4 weeks.
Growing tips
Keep the leaves clean by wiping with a damp cloth.
Elephants ears can be easily propagated through division. When the clumps are overcrowded (usually after a couple of years), carefully remove from the pot or ground and using a clean sharp knife, separate them into manageable clumps.
Remove dead stems from the base of the plant to encourage a clean, well-groomed appearance.
When grown indoors in winter, keep the soil on the dry side as they don’t like having too much water near their base during their dormant period. — Courtesy of Yates