The elephant ear (Haemanthus albiflos), which is easy to care for, is not hardy. Therefore, in our latitudes it is not suitable as a year-round outdoor plant but is better as a houseplant. In the winter months, treat your elephant ear to a hibernation rest.
How do I properly overwinter an elephant ear?
To care for the elephant ear in winter, reduce the amount of water and stop fertilizing. Keep the temperature at around 12-15°C and ensure sufficient humidity to prevent spider mites. Bright lighting conditions promote flower formation.
In winter, your elephant ear needs very little water and no fertilizer. If the substrate dries out very much, give the plant water immediately. Ensure there is sufficient humidity to prevent spider mite infestation. The ideal temperature in the winter quarters is around 12 °C to 15 °C.
The most important things in brief:
- not frost hardy
- takes hibernation
- ideal winter temperature: approx. 12 °C to 15 °C
- do not fertilize
- only water when the substrate is very dry
- Infestation with spider mites possible at low humidity
Tip
Place your elephant ear in a bright winter quarters, it is a light-loving plant. You do not stimulate flower formation through darkness but rather through fluctuations between day and night temperatures.