Various plants are known by the name “elephant ear”. These include, for example, the giant-leaved arrow leaf from the Araceae family (Araceae) or the Kalanchoe beharensis, which belongs to the thick-leaf family. However, here we are talking about Haemanthus albiflos.
How do I care for an elephant ear (Haemanthus albiflos)?
The elephant ear (Haemanthus albiflos) is an easy-care houseplant that should be planted in well-drained substrate. Water regularly without waterlogging, keep in a warm, bright location and put outside in summer. In winter, hibernate at 12 °C to 15 °C.
This plant belongs to the Amarilly family and comes from South Africa. As a rule, the elephant ear is kept as a houseplant in this country, but likes to spend the summer in the fresh air in the garden. The name part “albiflos” refers to the white flowers. Most other plants in this genus have red flowers.
How do I plant and care for the elephant ear?
Plant the elephant ear in permeable, loose substrate. The plant is hardly suitable for outdoor planting because it is not hardy. A freshly purchased elephant ear only needs to be repotted if it is obviously damaged or the pot does not have a drainage hole. The elephant ear, which is otherwise quite easy to care for, reacts quite sensitively to feet that are too wet. The elephant ear is only fertilized once a month.
Repot your elephant ear in spring about every two to three years. It should not be planted in a very large pot. If it is about three centimeters larger than the plant's tuber, then that is completely sufficient. Repotting too often does more harm than good. The plant then grows slowly or does not bloom.
The elephant ear in winter
An elephant ear likes to spend the winter in slightly cooler temperatures of around 12 °C to 15 °C. During this time it hibernates and prepares to bloom. Now only water your elephant ear a little and avoid the fertilizer altogether.
But make sure that the plant gets enough light even in winter, otherwise the leaves will grow too much but will be pale and limp. When the heating air is dry, the elephant ear occasionally suffers from spider mites.
Elephant ear care in brief:
- easy care
- not hardy
- water regularly
- Avoid waterlogging
- warm and bright
- put outside in summer
- overwinter at approx. 12 °C to 15 °C
Tip
The exotic elephant ear is quite easy to care for and robust against pests and plant diseases.
