The elephant ear (Alocasia macrorrhiza) also known as marquise, grows in tropical areas of Asia and could not have more eloquent names. Both one and the other tell us about its exuberance and elegance, two characteristics that, without a doubt, define this plant very well.

In its natural habitat, elephant ear can easily reach a height of up to eight meters and each leaf reaches one meter in diameter, but when grown indoors it does not exceed two meters.

However, in our environment it is very popular as an indoor plant and a great choice when looking for plants with large and decorative leaves, since its enormous green leaves create a real jungle feeling between our four walls.

What is elephant ear like?

iStock Photo.Dima Berlin

The elephant ear or marquise is a very long-lived, adaptable, fresh and green perennial plant all year round. Long stems protrude from its strong rhizomes, at the ends of which large fan-shaped leaves of an intense green color develop.

Depending on the variety, the leaves may have a shape oval, arrow-shaped or heart-shaped with more or less undulations on the surface.

The flowers of this Alocasia They are white and elongated, flask-shaped and surrounded by a bract, but unfortunately They rarely develop in indoor plants.

Elephant ear care

Due to its height and extensive leaves, the elephant ear It takes up a relatively large amount of space. Keep this in mind to choose the best place at home before taking it with you.

It is perfect to give a tropical touch to large rooms or glass balconiesbut check its needs and the care it needs to be able to offer it and make it thrive, whether in your house or in the garden.

light needs

It prefers partially shaded locations and can be kept at room temperature all year round. In winter it supports slightly lower temperatures, but They should not be lower than 15 ºC.

Avoid direct sunlight, as it can burn the leaves, but make sure it has enough light for the leaves to grow large. If the light is insufficient, the leaves will be smaller and less vibrant.

What land do you prefer to grow?

To thrive in the pot, the elephant ear needs a substrate rich in nutrients and humus. At the same time, the substrate must be loose and well-drained. Although it is not considered an acidophilic plant, the ideal pH value for your plant’s substrate is slightly acidic, around 5.5.

How to water the plant

The large leaves are very thirsty, so the soil should always be slightly moist, all year round. It is crucial for the well-being of elephant ear in indoor cultivation.

In winter it is watered a little less, but starting in March you can slowly increase watering again.

High humidity

Tropical plants such as elephant ear require humidity levels above 60%. To increase the humidity around the plant you can:

• Put a humidifier nearby.
• Place the pot on a tray with stones and water.
• Group several plants together to create a humid microclimate.

Fertilizer needs

The elephant ear It is fertilized from the end of March or beginning of April until September. To do this, add a little liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water every week. Long-term use of fertilizers is not recommended.

How to transplant elephant ear

Elephant ear grows very quickly in suitable places and therefore It usually needs a new pot every year.

The best time to transplant it is in spring when new growth begins.

When should you prune it

Elephant ear does not need to be pruned. You only have to remove by hand the old leaves cWhen they are completely withered. While they are green or yellow they still contain valuable nutrients that benefit the entire plant.

Other care and tips to keep it comfortable

• In summer, the elephant ear can be moved to the balcony or terrace for a while, as long as it is not too big or heavy.
• Keep the sheets cleane dust and dirt, as this allows the plant to breathe better and absorb more light. Use a cloth moistened with water with a few drops of natural soap to gently clean them from time to time. In addition, this care will allow you to discover in time mites and scale insects that can damage the leaves.
• Rotate the pot a quarter turn every two weeks to ensure balanced growth. This helps the plant receive light evenly on all its leaves.

How to propagate elephant ear

Duplicating the elephant ear is quite simple: you just have to dig it up and separate rhizomes that are well developed. For the new plant to grow happily, it needs a temperature and humidity that is constantly in the high range.

Most common diseases and pests

If the elephant ear receives too little water in summer or is too dry for a long period of time, There is a risk of mite infestation.

However, although the plant likes humidity, Too much water causes waterlogging and, sooner or later, root rot, which can even lead to the death of the plant. To avoid this, use a pot with a layer of gravel at the bottom that allows water to escape.

Since both bacteria and fungi can be responsible for the disease, treatment with fungicides, for example, is not always successful.