If you ’ve seen that your elephant ear flora ’s leaves are curling , you may be wondering what ’s wrong . Not to concern , I ’ll help you sympathize what ’s going on and give you some fashion to get your plant life back to being its beautiful ego .
If you ’ve noticed your elephant ear plant curling its foliage inward , do n’t panic This is a common egress that can be triggered by a variety of element The good news is that with the correct care and troubleshooting , you may get those beautiful elephant ear leaves await lush and flat again .
What Causes Elephant Ear Leaves to Curl?
There are a few cardinal culprits that could be the rationality behind your elephant ear works ’s curled leaf :
unconventional tearing – Too much or too petty water can stimulate parting to curl . Overwatering leads to root rot and underwatering causes the plant to dry out out .
Low humidness – Elephant ears thrive in humid conditions . juiceless air have the leaves to curl to prevent supererogatory transpiration .

Temperature stress – Extreme cold or heat can shock the plant life , go to flip curling . Elephant ears prefer warm , tropic temps .
Pests – Spider mites are a uncouth plague that can invade elephant ears and cause leaf to curl up , Mealybugs and aphid may also cause government issue
disease – Bacterial and fungous disease like leaf spot can infect the plant and distort leaf ontogeny and pattern .
burn – Too much hot , direct sunlight can char the leaf , make them to curl up or crisp at the edges .
Nutrient insufficiency – Lack of food like nitrogen result to yellowing and kink leaf .
How to Fix Curled Elephant Ear Leaves
Check the lacrimation – Feel the land to determine if it ’s too wet or dry . Water only when the top 1 - 2 inches become dry . Ensure the pot has drainage holes .
Increase humidity – Mist the plant daily or apply a humidifier . Place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water . Shoot for 40 - 50 % humidness .
Adjust temperature – Move to a bit with temps between 65 - 85 ° F . annul drafty area . Move indoor plants away from air blowhole .
supply vivid , indirect light – Elephant auricle demand several hours of bright Light Within each day , but direct spicy Sunday will scorch the leaves . permeate the light with a sheer curtain .
Inspect for pest – Look intimately at the undersurface of leaf for webs , dots , or specks that may indicate pests . practice neem oil or insecticidal grievous bodily harm to treat .
break for disease – face for spots , patches of powdery residue , or other abnormality that point to a fungal or bacterial upshot . take away affected leaves .
Fertilize softly – employ a balanced melted plant food at half potency every 2 - 4 weeks in the growing time of year to foreclose nutrient deficiencies .
Alter lacrimation method acting – water supply at the base of the plant life rather than overhead to keep wet off the leaves . permit the soil to partly dry out between tearing .
see repotting – If rootbound , repot in a slightly larger container with smart pot mix to allow elbow room for growth .
Prune damage leave-taking – bump off any crispy , coil , or yellow leaf to improve appearance and airt energy to new growth .
How to Prevent Elephant Ear Leaf Curl
Prevention is the best music when it comes to elephant ear leafage curl . Here are some proactive guardianship tips :
Allow the soil to partially dry out between lacrimation to foreclose overwatering issue .
offer systematically quick temperatures around 75 ° F .
Place in shining , collateral light inside and partial wraith outside .
Use rain or distilled water to prevent buildup of mineral .
cloud often and employ a humidifier to keep 40 - 50 % humidity .
Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 - 4 week during the originate time of year .
Check frequently for pest like wanderer soupcon that can infest the leaves .
Promote melodic line circulation with fans and proper spacing between plant .
Inspect new plant tight for pests before bringing home .
Sterilize pruning shears before trimming to prevent disease spreading .
Repot annually in natural spring to offer reinvigorated soil and way for growth .
Avoid catch the leaf loaded when water to forestall fungous issues .
Remove yellow , damaged leaves readily to prevent descent .
When to Worry About Curled Leaves
As with any plant issue , the hardship and longevity of the elephant ear folio curl will learn when it ’s metre to worry . Here are some warning signs :
Leaves remain tightly curl even after adjusting concern over 2 - 3 calendar week
Leaf curling worsens or spreads to most leaf quickly
berth , webbing , rest or other sign of pests / disease are present
leaf are yellow or browning in addition to curling
New leafage come forth curled immediately after unfurling
Plant appears rickety , stunt , or collapsed
If your elephant ear still struggles with leaf curl after you ’ve adjust its care , it may be time to consult with your local glasshouse or flora expert for additional troubleshooting . Continued declination can indicate an underlying gadfly plague or disease requiring treatment beyond plate care .
Enjoying Healthy and Flat Elephant Ear Leaves
While elephant auricle foliage curl can be alarming , a bit of detective employment and thoughtful care is often all that ’s required to rectify the result . Be trusted to value lacrimation , humidness , sunlight , temperature , pests , and nutrients when troubleshooting loop leaves . With the right adjustment and preventative care , your elephant capitulum will soon be expand with wide , vibrant leave . Relish those gorgeous , uncurled elephant ear fronds !
The Science Behind Leaf Curling
leafage kink in elephant ear industrial plant can hap as a defense chemical mechanism against excessive transpiration or water personnel casualty . When the plant senses that it is acquire dry , it will curl its leaves to make less of their surface area discover to the strain . This hold start the plant from drop off water . The plant can also command its temperature by lowering the amount of direct sunlight that hits the surface of the leaves .
How Curling Leaves Affect the Plant’s Health
Some environmental factors can cause leaf to curl naturally , but too much curling can be spoiled for the plant life ’s wellness as a whole . If the leave stay curled for a long time , they may not be able-bodied to acquire as well and become less effectual at photosynthesis . This can retard the plant ’s increment and make it less vigorous .
Elephant Ear Leaf Problems? – Fix Various Diseases
Why are my Elephant ear leaves curling ?
Elephant Ear leaves curling as a result of overwatering , which make root rot , dehydration , grim humidity , temperature stress , and pestilence onrush . To resolve this issue , water elephant ear when the top soil feels dry , protect your flora from cold and repot if there are sign of ascendant decomposition . Continue reading to find oneself out how to make your plant flourish .
Why is my Elephant ear plant turn yellow ?
The Elephant Ear plant is no unlike . If you underwater your Elephant Ear industrial plant , the massive leaves will seek to save the existing water in them . This hit the leaves curl , turn scandalmongering , or droop . If you continue to neglect it , it will dry up . Elephant Ear works drink lots of water . control that the filth is wet .
What happen if you underwater an elephant ear plant ?
The leaves , stalks , and petioles become discolored , rough - coarse-textured , curly , or dry . The Elephant Ear plant is no unlike . If you underwater your Elephant Ear plant , the massive parting will prove to save the existing water in them . This makes the leaves curl , turn icteric , or droop . If you continue to miss it , it will dry up .
What are elephant ear leave behind ?
The scientific name for the repeated elephant ear flora is Colocasia esculenta . Elephant ear leaves are often said to resemble the ear of a tangible elephant . They are big in size , heart - shaped and grow in warm climates . According to Gardens and Crafts , elephant pinna leaves are bang-up for using to make a leaf cast .