Although elephant ear plants are a striking and distinctive plant to feature in your space, gardeners may question why their elephant ear plant is weeping.
There is no reason to be concerned—you’re not harming the plant! This is a natural process that happens with numerous plants.
Elephant ears weep for a few reasons, but the main idea is that it is getting rid of unnecessary water and moisture.
What Is an Elephant Ear Plant
Elephant ear plants, scientifically known as Colocasia, Alocasia, and Xanthosoma, are tropical perennial species with huge heart-shaped leaves.
These plants are native to Southeast Asia and typically grow in humid shady locations.
There are a lot of different species, but the most recognized species is the Alocasia amazonica, popularly known as the African mask plant or Amazon lily.
Fun fact: This plant can grow to 6 feet tall and its leaves can reach an impressive 3 feet wide!
The name elephant ear comes from the large ear shaped leaves that these varieties produce.
The large ear-shaped leaves are what makes this plant so distinctive and cool to admire. The leaves are usually green, but there are some species with purple, red, or even yellow leaves!
Why Do Elephant Ear Plants Drip
When it comes to excessive water, leaking water is not always a bad thing.
Leaking water indicates that a plant is experiencing too much water, either in the pot or in the air.
This procedure in response to water ensures the plant does not rot too fast, thus decreasing the chances of your plant dying.
Water
Your elephant ear plant could also be drenching wet because you are providing it with too much moisture.
When a plant gets too much moisture, it begins to drip moisture from its leaves in order to rid itself of the excess moisture.
Humidity
Tropical plants such as the elephant ear plant, enjoy a humid environment.
If the air is too dry, the plant will start to drip from its leaves.
The plant is trying to leave water to increase humidity and avoid the leaves from drying out.
Temperature
Temperature can greatly influence the amount of water your elephant ear plant drips.
If the temperature is too hot outside, it will start dripping and working as a great cooling system by releasing moisture from its leaves and surface to cool itself down but it is in full control the whole time!
On the Other Hand – If the temperature is too cold outside, the plant will also start to drip water from its leaves. This is the plants way of trying to prevent the inside of the leaves from freezing.
Light
Light has an impact on the amount of water leaking from your elephant ear plant.
When your plant is getting ample light, it will utilize more water to photosynthesize. Therefore, when your plant is consuming less water, the water will sit in the pot.
Because elephant ear plants do not like sitting water, they leak water out of their leaves to create room to draw water up from the plant.
How to Stop Elephant Ear Plants from Dripping Water
Dripping water is a typical habit of an elephant ear plant and may not even be a preferred one.
That’s because the dripping water can destroy finished products on tables, mantles, windowsills, or floors, depending on where you place your plant.
There are several things you can do to keep your elephant ear plant from dripping water.
- You should ensure that the plant is getting the amount of light it needs. If the plant is getting too much light, it should be moved into a shaded area.
- Use a thermometer in the area that the elephant ear plant is in. If it is too hot, then move the plant to a cooler area. If it is too cold, then move the plant to a warmer area.
- You should check that you are not over watering your elephant ear plant. Water the plant only when the soil is dry to the touch.
- You should try increasing the humidity around the plant by misting it with water or putting a humidifier next to it.
The important part of stopping the dripping is providing the elephant ear plant proper care. This should help clear up what is too much and not enough.
Light
Elephant ear plants thrive in bright, indirect light.
The best placement for an elephant ear plant would be located near a window or back door, but ensure that the beautiful sunlight doesn’t shine directly onto the plant.
Water
Elephant ear plants do not like to be sopping wet.
The best way to water elephant ear plants is to water from the bottom only when the soil is dry to the touch.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer isn’t needed much for elephant ear plants.
If you see yellowing of the leaves, apply a slow-release fertilizer with a 1:1:1 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Temperature
The elephant ear plant, a tropical plant by nature, prefers warm temperatures in the growing season. It’s best if daytime temperatures remain in the 70-85°F range.
At Night– Never let your elephant ear plant go below 60°F overnight.
Final Thoughts
If the leaves of your elephant ear plant are dripping water, there is nothing to worry about!
This is completely normal behavior from the plant!
Just be sure you are not over-watering it or providing bad light and temperature conditions.
As long as you properly care for your elephant ear plant, it will be happy!