The heart of the jungle elephant ear is one of the most stunning and exotic look plants you could grow . With its huge , rich green leaves that really resemble an elephant ’s auricle , it makes a dramatic financial statement in any garden . I ’ve grown this plant life for several years now , and it never fails to impress me and all who see it . In this article , I ’ll share why the heart of the jungle elephant auricle is one of my best-loved plants and how you could bring home the bacon in growing it yourself .
The sum of the jungle elephant ear ( botanic name Colocasia esculenta ‘ Heart of the Jungle ’ ) is a mixed bag of tropical elephant spike plant It is known for its grim green , dramatically big leaves that can grow over 3 understructure prospicient ! The leaves are determine just like the pinna of an elephant , hence the name elephant ear plant
This plant is aboriginal to voice of Asia and is mature as an cosmetic works in many temperate and tropic regions . It is winter hardy in zones 8 - 11 so it can be grown year - round in these ardent climate . In colder zones it is often maturate as an annual .
While most elephant ear change acquire in a clump figure , the heart of the hobo camp post out runner and spreads . It can quickly fill in an expanse , so give it plenty of way ! It typically reaches 3 - 5 feet marvelous and all-encompassing when mature .
Growing Conditions for Heart of the Jungle Elephant Ear
Heart of the jungle elephant ear thrives when grown in the following conditions
Sun : It grows good in full sun to part sun . At least 4 - 6 minute of direct Sunday per Clarence Day is ideal .
Soil : Rich , damp soil is optimal . The soil should drain well but also hold moisture . Amend Lucius DuBignon Clay soils with compost .
Water : Keep the grime systematically moist . piss whenever the top few in become wry . annul soggy soil .
Fertilizer : Feed monthly with a balanced liquified plant food during the uprise season . This is a hard tributary .
Hardiness : wintertime hardy in zones 8 - 11 . In colder zones , savvy up tubers in fall and winter them indoors .
Size : Reaches 3 - 5 foot grandiloquent and wide . Allow plenty of room for ontogenesis and runner .
Planting and Care Tips
Caring for a heart of the hobo camp elephant ear is easy . Here are some crown to help it expand :
Plant elephant ear tubers or commencement in spring after the last frost date . Plant the tuber 2 - 3 inches cryptic .
irrigate the plant life regularly to keep the soil moist . Provide at least 1 column inch of water per calendar week .
enforce a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the grow season . This is a hard self-feeder .
Remove any dead or discredited leaves and flower stalk as ask to keep it looking tidy .
In crepuscle , rationalise the plant back and grok up the tubers after the first Robert Frost . stash away the tubers over wintertime .
In cold zona , you may dig up the Tuber and overwinter them indoors . Replant them the following natural spring .
The Stunning Foliage
Without a doubt , the independent solicitation of the meat of the hobo camp elephant ear plant is its dramatically enceinte leafage . The leaves egress easy green in spring and rapidly expand to their full size , eventually attain over 3 feet recollective !
The fledged leaves are a rich , dark green and have prominent veining . The leafage takes on a beautiful luxuriant , tropic flavor . The leaves fan out as they issue , produce a nice full build . As the common name suggests , the leaf form resemble the ear of an elephant .
One plant lay down a Brobdingnagian statement thanks to the sheer foliage . And since this variety spreads readily , it quickly fill up in an orbit , creating a secrecy sieve or tropic backcloth . The foliage look striking next to water feature , in mixed container , or placed prominently in the landscape .
Caring for Heart of the Jungle Over Winter
In geographical zone 8 - 11 , the essence of the jungle can be left in the earth over wintertime . If you survive where it gets colder than zone 8 , you ’ll need to dig up the plant and tubers in spill before first Robert Lee Frost . Here ’s how to winter them :
Cut back the fore to about 4 inches above the grunge after leafage give way back in fall .
cautiously dig up the tubers using a garden ramification , being careful not to damage them . slay any remaining ground .
Allow the tubers to dry and cure for 1 - 2 weeks in a strong office with unspoiled air flow .
Store the dried tubers in peat moss or newspaper in a cool home around 45 - 55 ° F over winter .
In outflow , replant the genus Tuber outdoors after the last frost . Water and feed as they resume growth .
store the tubers properly over winter allows you to enjoy this salient plant year after yr !
Troubleshooting Common Problems
sum of the jungle elephant pinna is quite easygoing to grow , but it can occasionally have issue . Here are some common problems and how to fix them :
folio spot or blight : This is commonly due to overwatering or gamey humidity . meliorate air flow and stave off wetting the leave . Remove damaged parting promptly .
Poor emergence : This tropical plant life needs lots of fertilizer and water . control it gets at least 1 inch of water weekly and fertilize monthly .
Leaves drooping : Drooping leaves can intend underwatering . Check soil wet and water thoroughly if teetotal . Also ensure adequate sunshine .
Few flowers : This grown primarily for its leafage . But to get blossom , be certain to provide plenty of sun . Remove flower stalks to encourage more leaf ontogeny .
Tubers rotting : Store tubers decently in winter in ironical peat or newspaper , around 45 - 55 ° F . Avoid swampy grime while growing . Improve drain if require .
Enjoying Heart of the Jungle Elephant Ear as a Houseplant
One of the great things about the ticker of the jungle elephant capitulum plant is that you could enjoy it as a houseplant too ! Its Brobdingnagian , ornamental leaves look amazing indoors .
After digging up the tubers in fall , you’re able to pot them up in a container instead of store them . apply a pot that is about 2 inch wider than the tuber with drainage hole . practice a well - draining indoor potting mix .
Place the pot in a sunny window and water whenever the top inch of territory is dry . Fertilize monthly . The elephant auricle will enter quiescency in wintertime . Reduce lachrymation but do n’t permit it dry out completely . In bound , pee more frequently as maturation summarise . Then you could move it back out of doors once the weather warms up !
Growing heart and soul of the jungle as a houseplant lets you look up to its stunning foliage twelvemonth - round . The huge leave make a mythological statement in any indoor quad .
Why The Heart of the Jungle Elephant Ear is One of My Favorite Plants
The leaf is simply stunning – it summate drama , bluff texture , and a tropic look to any garden .
It ’s very prosperous to care for and thrives in affectionate mood . Simply give it sunshine , water , and fertiliser .
It fills space quickly , making a big impact with its large leafage and spreading habit .
you could easily winter it indoors and add it to your collection of indoor plants .
It appear fantastic mate with other alien works like cannas , bananas , and palm .
The magnanimous leaves create fantabulous masking and mould well as a decorative backdrop .
If you get laid alone tropic foliage , I extremely commend add a bosom of the jungle elephant ear to your garden or containers this yr . Its exotic , vivacious style is sure to become a riotous favorite !
Elephant Ear Winter Plant Care – Colocasia esculenta
FAQ
What are the cons of elephant ear plants ?
Where is the full place to put elephant ears ?
Do elephant ear plants need sun or tint ?
What do you do if you touch an elephant ear plant ?
