What type of soil did you use to fill the pots? 10° to 15° F In cooler or wetter regions, the plant does better indoors or in containers so move plants indoors when the weather gets cooler. You need to recreate those natural conditions by watering thoroughly, then waiting until the top of the soil is dry before watering again.But you'll know you've waited too long between watering if you notice the leaves looking shriveled and the stems going limp. That being said, I have yet to grow them in containers long term. Curled and bubbled leaves could be the leaves that the insects have been feeding on. Adjust the schedule as needed based on your plant’s specific environment. During the winter or in low-light environments, the frequency should be even less because the soil takes longer to dry out. For the backyard gardener, the University of Hawaii recommends keeping the plant's soil perpetually moist but not to the point of puddling. Plants with leaves that are less thick or succulent when it is time to water. For more information, check out this succulent watering guide. Primarily grown for its spectacular foliage, Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito' (Taro) is a tuberous, frost-tender perennial with large, heart-shaped, chartreuse green leaves flecked with deep purple to black. How to Revive a Dying Pothos- Complete Guide! Place the plant in an area with bright sun and good air flow to help the soil dry quickly. A common problem many people encounter is elephant bush leaves wrinkling. Elephant ear plants (Colocasia spp) are so named for the shape of their leaves. The first sign of overwatering is swollen and discolored leaves. The thick, triangular, silver-brown velvety leaves make for interesting looks in the landscape. Those wonderfully large Elephant Ear leaves can grow so large that they start to droop and fall to the ground. Plants with leaves that curl when it is time to water. This is especially true if your succulent is outside during the summer and exposed to bright light for many hours per day. Portulacaria have similar care needs as other succulents. I do know that these two varieties of elephant ear can take all the water I want to give them here in the mid-Georgia heat...and this is growing in the ground, which dries out less quickly than does soil in containers. The best thing to do now is to cut these leaves off, figure out why your plant is unwell and fix the problem. Growing in pots, I would check them daily and provide water if soil is dry or even somewhat dry, especially if they are in smaller pots and with a good amount of direct sunlight.What size pots are they growing in? Drought: You need to give more water to your fruit trees. To bring it back to life, you have to figure out the issues and take action. Besides watering, wrinkled Portulacaria leaves may also be due to too much sunlight. Light is another factor, like water, that is incredibly difficult to manage. Clean the pot with soap and warm water, then fill it with fresh, new potting soil. Some varieties not only mimic the shape but also the size of an elephant's ear. Hello eliza813, I think your elephant bush is just in a cycle right now of changing its leaves. Too much water prevents pant to get enough oxygen, which encourages fungal rot diseases. Frequent watering, combined with cooler temperatures and low light is a recipe for root rot. What to Do about Elephant Bush Leaves Wrinkling, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). Portulacaria afra, more commonly known as the “Elephant Bush”, is a succulent native to South Africa. Have you checked the soil in the pots regularly to see if it is dry or moist? Always check that the top few inches of soil are dry before watering to get an idea if your plant needs moisture. I've had Diamond Head growing in my landscape for 3 years and just planted a Mojito this past spring. I understand your situation that Elephant Ears won't survive the winter there if left in the ground. */. Over time the entire leaf collapses on itself and the disease travels down the corm. Frequent watering, combined with cooler temperatures and low light is a recipe for root rot. Additional signs of over watering include: If any of the above are present, it is likely that the wrinkled leaves are due to over watering rather than under watering. Try changing the amount of sunlight or water the plant gets and possibly apply a fertilizer. If the leaves of your Elephant Ear plants are curling, there are several reasons. A related symptom of overexposure to direct sunlight is the leaves of the corn plant growing inward. Elephant ear plants, also known as alocasia and colocasia, are tropical plants that can live outdoors all year long, although their impressive leaves will die in the colder, winter temperatures. In this case, trim the damage and replant in fresh soil. Let me tell you about my fairly new plant, and all I've learned from it! Press ESC to cancel. Avoid exposing your succulent to harsh, afternoon sun in the summer. Elephant ear plants are prone to spider mites. Plants will lose foliage to compensate for lack of soil, nutrients, and water. I also have a Diamond Head planted and growing in full sun by a wellhouse on my property. Native to South Africa, jade plants growing wild there get big rains periodically, instead of some sprinkles every week. I know that Elephant Ears don't perform as well in pots as they do in the ground. Water until you see it come out of the drainage hole. So, I don't think it's too much sun causing the problems with the leaves on your elephant ears. I have two different elephant ears ones in a pot by itself & that one is outside on my balcony which is covered. The frequency of watering depends on numerous factors such as temperature, sunlight, humidity, pot size, soil type, and ventilation. For more information about general Elephant Bush care, check out this complete care guide. Never use any information from Gardenality to diagnose or treat any medical problem. This is especially true if your succulent is receiving several hours of bright, direct sun per day or is in a hot and dry climate. The Mojito was planted behind my garden pond and gets quite a bit of filtered shade in the afternoon and water from an automated irrigation system twice a day. The ideal temperature for these plants is between 57 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. My elephant bush is staying outdoors here with our overnight temps hitting 30F and daytime highs at 55F to 60F range. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } if the problem is fixed soon enough, this hardy succulent will bounce back. Empty out the saucer so the plant does not sit in water for long. Their ideal conditions are summarized below: Wrinkled Elephant bush leaves are most likely due to improper watering (either too much or too little) or excess sunlight. Here is an easy solution to keep your "ears' standing up and off the ground. Check the soil around the plants to see how dry it is and water as needed to keep the plants … Prune the damaged leaves on the Elephant bush and plant in the fresh soil. When the top of the soil feels damp, remove the pot from the water and let it drain. Direct light and hot sun can cause leaves to curl up and to develop unattractive brown marks. These are fairly large growing elephant ears that would require quite large pots...I would say at least 18 inches or so in diameter or larger up to 36 inches. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. antiquorum, for example, has leaves that can be a foot wide and up to 20 inches long, according to the Clemson University Cooperative Extension. If you notice the edges of your leaves curling or getting crispy it is most likely humidity related. Why is my Pothos Turning Brown? First things first, isolate the plant from all the other plants you have. Insufficient light could be responsible for stems too weak to hold up the elephant ear leaves. Terracotta pots with drainage holes are best for succulents. I am aware that this term botanically represents much more than these plants, however) Elephant bush (leaves become a bit less supple and more moveable) 3. 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