Once you know the reasons why, youll soon be able to nurse it back to health
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Alocasias are a popular indoor plant with distinctive leaves that, as its other name of elephant ear plant suggests, look a little bit like the ears of an elephant. As one of the less common houseplants, it’s highly prized by plant enthusiasts and makes frequent appearances on social media.
Alocasias are generally easy to care for, but they do have several environmental requirements that must be met if they are to thrive indoors. When one (or more) of these needs aren’t being met, your elephant ear plant will begin to suffer.
Drooping leaves is one of the first signs that something is amiss. With a few easy tweaks, however, you can usually nurse your alocasia plant back to health.
Elephant ear plants, known botanically as alocasias and colocasias, are prized for their large, shapely leaves that resemble the ears of an elephant. Their lush foliage adds a tropical vibe to any indoor or outdoor space.
However, these statement-making plants can suddenly take a turn for the worse, leaving their owners puzzled and concerned. One of the most common elephant ear plant problems is drooping leaves that quickly lose their vibrancy.
If your precious elephant ears are starting to sag and wither, don’t panic. In most cases, drooping leaves indicate easily fixed environmental issues. Read on to learn why elephant ear leaves droop and how to revive your plant.
Top Causes of Elephant Ear Leaves Drooping
Elephant ear plants are sensitive to their growing conditions. When something is not quite right in their environment, they show it through drooping leaves. Here are the most common reasons behind elephant ear drooping
Underwatering
Elephant ears need consistently moist soil to thrive. If you let the soil dry out too much between waterings, the leaves will start to wilt and droop. Providing adequate water will plump them up again. Water elephant ears whenever the top inch of soil becomes dry.
Overwatering
While elephant ears love moisture, wet feet will make them equally unhappy. Allowing the soil to stay soggy and waterlogged leads to root rot and drooping leaves. Let the soil dry slightly between thorough waterings and ensure the pot has drainage holes.
Excessive Sunlight
Too much direct sun can scorch elephant ear leaves, causing them to yellow, burn, and droop. Place these plants in bright, indirect light or light shade. Harsher afternoon sun may require filtered sunlight or shade cloth.
Low Humidity
Elephant ears prefer the naturally humid conditions of the tropics. In dry indoor air, the leaves lose moisture faster than the roots can uptake it, resulting in wilt. Increase air moisture around the plant with a humidifier or pebble tray.
Temperature Stress
Chilling damage or extreme heat can shock elephant ear plant cells, leading to membrane damage and dehydration Always keep the temperature between 60-85°F. Move pots indoors or outdoors as needed with seasonal changes.
Poor Soil
Soil that lacks nutrients or retains too much moisture will cause elephant ear problems. Repot in rich, loamy soil for ideal drainage and nutrition. Fertilize monthly in the growing season for strong roots and leaves.
Pests
Sucking insects like spider mites, aphids, and scales drink nutrients from the leaves, eventually causing them to droop. Check the undersides of leaves and leaf nodes for evidence of pests. Wash them off with soapy water or treat with neem oil.
Diseases
Fungal diseases like stem rot attack the roots and vascular system, preventing water transport. Bacterial soft rot causes rapid cell disintegration. Both lead to sudden leaf drooping and plant collapse. Improve air circulation and soil drainage to ward off disease.
Pot Bound Roots
If the elephant ear’s roots have overgrown the container, they can’t take up enough moisture and nutrients to support the leaves. Transplant the rootball into a larger pot with fresh soil to stop leaves from drooping.
Heavy Foliage
Elephant ears with very large, dense leaves may droop under their own weight. Staking the plant provides physical support and keeps the leaves upright. As a last resort, prune off some of the largest leaves to reduce the weight load.
How to Revive a Drooping Elephant Ear Plant
Now that you know why elephant ear leaves wilt and droop, here are some tips to rejuvenate an ailing plant:
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Check the soil moisture and water if dry. Or allow excess moisture to drain if soggy.
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Move the pot to a shadier or warmer location based on time of year.
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Mist leaves and place on a pebble tray to increase humidity.
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Apply balanced liquid fertilizer to nourish the plant.
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Inspect closely for pests and treat any infestations.
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Repot in fresh, rich soil if pot bound or diseased.
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Stake large, heavy leaves to provide physical support.
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Remove old yellow leaves and let new ones generate.
With some tweaked care and ideal conditions, an elephant ear plant with drooping leaves can make a full recovery. Consistent moisture, humidity, warm temperatures, and bright indirect light will keep those gorgeous foliage ears perky for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elephant Ear Leaves Drooping
How often should I water my elephant ear plant?
Water elephant ear plants whenever the top inch or two of soil becomes dry. During hot and dry periods, this may be every 4-5 days. In cool weather, they may need water only once a week. Provide at least 1-2 inches of water at each watering.
What causes elephant ear leaves to turn yellow?
Yellow leaves can indicate too much or too little water, insufficient light, low humidity, pests, or nutrient deficiencies. Check the soil moisture first, then adjust watering frequency. Move to a brighter location or provide fertilizer as needed to green up yellow leaves.
Should elephant ear plants have full sun?
Elephant ears prefer bright, indirect sunlight over full sun. Direct sun can scorch their leaves, especially in hot climates. Some afternoon shade is ideal. Acclimate the plant slowly if moving it from shade to sunnier areas.
What temperature do elephant ears prefer?
Daytime temperatures between 65-85°F are ideal for elephant ear houseplants and outdoor container plants. They can tolerate cooler 60°F nights but avoid chilling damage below that. Move pots inside if the night temperature drops below 60°F.
How do I increase humidity for an elephant ear plant?
Elephant ears thrive in 60% humidity or higher. Use a humidifier near the plant or place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water to increase moisture in the surrounding air. Misting the leaves allows them to take up ambient humidity.
Why are my elephant ear leaves curling?
If elephant ear leaves are curling inward, it is usually a sign of insufficient water. Dry air and heat can also cause curling leaves as the plant tries to conserve moisture. Increase watering frequency and humidity levels to stop leaves from curling into a drooping position.
Caring for an elephant ear plant is easy when you provide consistent moisture, warm temperatures, bright indirect light, and high humidity. Monitor your plant for signs of drooping leaves, then make adjustments to revive it. With proper care, elephant ears will reward you with their signature bold, dramatic foliage.
Six reasons why your alocasia’s leaves are drooping
We’ve asked houseplant experts to give the most common reasons for an alocasia that’s drooping, as well as the best solutions, so you can get your indoor plant looking its best once more.
Its worth noting that these are tips for an alocasia plant, rather than a colocasia, which is another type of elephant ear plant and can have different requirements.
Alocasia Amazonica( credit: Sunshine/Alamy Stock Photo)
As with the vast majority of houseplants, the most common reason for an elephant ear or alocasia to be drooping is an incorrect watering schedule.
Brody Hall, Certified Horticulturist at The Indoor Nursery, explains that alocasias ‘prefer soil that is evenly moist but not waterlogged. The plant leaves may droop if the soil is too wet or too dry.’
Water these plants regularly. However, when watering plants its important not to overdo it as it can lead to root rot.
If you have stopped watering but the plant is still drooping, it may be time to lift it out of its pot and inspect the roots. Mo Bhula, a plant expert at The Botanical Archive, advises that ‘if the roots are mushy this is a sign of root rot. You will need to cut off all the rotted roots and repot into fresh well-draining compost.’
Not sure when you should be watering? Jamie Saechaona, of Green Garden Cottage, says that ‘a good rule of thumb for watering alocasia is to wait until the first inch or two of soil is dry, and then to give the plant a nice soak.’
This is an issue that’s related to overwatering. However, even if you are watering at the correct levels, you may still be encouraging root rot if your elephant ear is potted into a planter without drainage holes.
Brody Hall points out that although alocasias can be relatively easy indoor plants to care for, they ‘do not tolerate standing water, so it is essential to make sure that their pots have good drainage. If the pot doesnt have proper drainage, the plants roots may become waterlogged, causing the leaves to droop.’
A simple plant pot with good drainage can be bought on Amazon or at your local garden center. Make sure to also repot your alocasia when needed to avoid it become pot bound.