Why Is My Elephant Ear Plant Dying? [And What to Do]

The addition of plants can greatly improve the aesthetic value of your home. You probably already know how stunning elephant ear plants are if you are someone who appreciates the natural world and its flora and fauna.

These stunning plants will provide richness and elegance to any outside space, even your home. When you understand what these plants require, taking care of them is quite simple. However, if your plant is dying for no apparent reason, there may be an underlying issue.

In this article, we will look into the various possibilities for why your elephant ear plant is dying and the specific steps you can take to reverse the process. Now, without further ado, let’s look at some potential reasons why your plant is not thriving.

Giving Your Elephant Ear Plant Less or Too Much Water Can Kill It

The areas where elephant ears are found naturally receive a significant amount of rainfall, and the soil in which these plants thrive is typically quite damp.

Your plant might be gradually dying because it isn’t getting enough water but giving it too much water can have the same effect as not giving it enough water. It is essential to have a solid understanding of these plants’ water demands.

Here’s What You Can Do to Save Your Plant

To determine how much moisture is present in the soil, you can use a plant moisture meter or your finger to probe the surface.

The soil ought to have a moist texture. If the soil is saturated, then the plant has received an excessive amount of water. If it seems dry to the touch, you are not giving it enough water.

If the soil is too wet, wait a few days before watering your elephant ear plant again. The soil needs to dry out.

The plant may die if the soil is too wet, and mold and fungus in the soil may also contribute to the plant’s demise.

If the soil is excessively dry, water it as soon as possible, and then examine it again the following day. If it needs it, give it some more water.

You can ensure that your plant receives the appropriate quantity of water by maintaining a consistent watering schedule, which is especially important during times of drought.

Not Enough Nutrients Can Kill Your Elephant Ear Plant

Plants receive their nutrients from the soil. Therefore, you must choose soil abundant in nutrients if you want your plant to flourish and grow healthily.

If the green leaves on your elephant ear plant start to turn brown or yellow, this is a sign that your plant isn’t getting enough nutrients; this is particularly true for plants kept in pots.

It is also possible for this to occur if the soil in the garden is of poor quality and your plant is put there.

Here’s What You Can Do to Save Your Plant

The fertilization of your plant is likely to be the most successful response to this issue. You should be able to offer the nutrients your elephant ear requires with an all-purpose fertilizer, but you will need to apply it consistently.

It is necessary to fertilize elephant ears every two to three weeks if they are kept indoors or in containers and not on the ground. Once every four to six weeks, an elephant ear plant grown outside can be fertilized.

Getting The Climate Wrong Can Damage Your Elephant Ear Plant

While there may be some apparent differences between the many elephant ear plants, these plants have one thing in common. Climates with high humidity, such as the tropics and subtropics, are preferable.

A hardiness zone, which varies from 1 to 11, is determined by the weather patterns of a certain area. These spots are vital for plant life. Each plant is categorized into a hardiness zone, so you may be sure it will grow in your area.

Zones 8 to 11 are ideal for growing elephant ears. In hardiness zones 8 & 9, the plant will probably die back and shed its leaves throughout the winter, only to bloom back up in the spring.

In USDA plant hardiness zone areas 10 – 11, the plants may survive winters without losing their green pigment. Plants in hardiness 1-7 zones may not make it through the winter, but they have a good chance of surviving in zones eight and above.

Here’s What You Can Do to Save Your Plant

The first order of business is to figure out what hardiness zone you’re in. Due to their hardiness, elephant ears may be grown effectively in zones 10 and 11. If yours suddenly start dying, chances are it has nothing to do with the weather.

If you live in USDA hardiness zone 7, 8, or 9, you can rest assured that your elephant ear dying due to cold weather is inevitable. Your plant will likely make it through the winter and flourish again in the spring.

If winter isn’t coming and your plant is still displaying signs of stress, there might be other reasons.

Earlier and longer-lasting cool weather is more common in zones 1 through 6, making it almost impossible for your elephant ear to grow outdoors. Your plant would have a better chance of survival if you placed it in a pot and indoors.

Excessive Sunlight Results in a Damaged Elephant Ear Plant

Understory vegetation is often where tropical plants like elephant ears and other similar species can be found.

This indicates that a significant number of huge trees should be located over them to provide shade and assist in filtering the light that the plant gets.

Elephant ears do not develop to their full potential in areas exposed to direct sunlight. They should be placed in areas with little to no sunlight.

If the soil’s moisture level is normal, but the leaves are turning brown and appear dried out, then the problem is probably caused by too much exposure to the sun.

Here’s What You Can Do to Save Your Plant

This problem has an easy solution. You need just dig out the elephant ear and replace it at a location that gets much less direct sunshine.

Be careful not to break or damage the root when digging it up. If it is damaged, it’s possible that your plant won’t survive the trip to its new home.

Less Space Can Kill Your Elephant Ear Plant

The shortage of oxygen in your elephant ear is the greatest threat to its survival. Without enough room to expand and breathe, plants will die.

Moreover, elephant ears may compete with other plants for available nutrients if planted relatively closer. Growing elephant ears in a planter or a pot may be challenging since the container is often too small.

Here’s What You Can Do to Save Your Plant

It is preferred that elephant ears be planted at four feet from your plants, be it elephant ears or other houseplants. Your elephant ear and the plants around it may need to be dug out and moved.

Planting elephant ears in a bigger pot may help with any problems you’re experiencing with them in a smaller one.

Cutting The Dead Leaves Off of Your Elephant Ear Plant

If most of the elephant ear plant is healthy, but a few leaves have withered, remove them to keep the plant looking its best.

Using this strategy so your plant can focus on producing new leaves while still obtaining the nutrients it needs from the old ones.

In hardiness zones 7 – 9, elephant ear plants lose their leaves to the first frost of the year and perish for the season.

Here, you may remove the browning leaves and begin over. If you wait until the temperature heats up again, most likely in the summer or spring, you should see the first hints of new growth.

Our Final Thoughts

It is well-known that taking care of houseplants is complicated. Each plant prefers a different kind of environment and quantity of water.

There is a wide variety of potential causes for the demise of your elephant ear plant. The most likely explanation is that they aren’t getting the proper amount of sunlight or water in their environment.

However, the issue could also be that there is a shortage of room or nutrients or that they are being grown in the incorrect climate.

You should be able to rescue your plant if you can immediately determine the issue and take the appropriate action. We hope this article sheds some light on the possible reasons why your plant is perishing and what you can do to save it.

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