Elephant ear plants are beloved by gardeners around the world and add a tropical whimsy to any garden space you put them in. So how do you grow huge elephant ear plants?
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How to Grow HUGE Elephant Ear Plants:
- Water
- Fertilizer
- Light
- Consistency
How to Water Elephant Ear Plants
Elephant ear plants love water. Keeping them consistently moist is a major key to growing huge elephant ears. Water your potted elephant ear plants when you see the first inch of soil dry down. If your Elephant Ear Plants are in ground water them every 3-4 days depending on the weather. If its been hot and dry then water deeply every 3 days. If its been overcast and moist, wait until day 4 before you water. As always look at your plants regularly and assess your plants. If they look like they need water before its time. Don’t hesitate to give them some.
Note that moist soil doesn’t mean soggy. Soggy soil can lead to root rot and root rot can kill your plants.
If you need help getting your Elephant Ear Bulbs started, check out this post before you get your bulbs started.
How to Fertilize Elephant Ear Plants
Fertilizer is the next key to grow huge elephant ear plants. Plant your elephant ears with a granular feed like this, then feed them weekly with a water soluble fertilizer like fish emulsion. Be sure to follow the feeding instructions on any fertilizer that you choose to use, as many fertilizers can cause burn to the foliage if misused.
How Much Sun do Elephant Ear plants need?
Elephant ear plants are tropical plants and can handle sun, but do best in part shade. I’d strive for 2-4 hours of direct sun and 3-6 hours of part shade. Adjust these hours to where you live and the type of sun your garden receives. If you’re unsure, best case is to put them in part shade. Elephant ear foliage can get sunburned, so if you notice any dark spots on the foliage, you may want to move them to a shadier location.
Consistent Plant Care
All plants thrive on consistency, and elephant ear plants are no different. Keep up with watering and fertilizing and you will see your plants grow huge in no time.
If you keep up with these four tips, you will have beautiful huge elephant ear plants in your garden.
Happy Gardening
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