How to Revive the Elephant Ear Plant

Elephant ear plants are one of the most interesting and beautiful houseplants that you can grow.

They are easy to care for and make a great addition to any indoor or outdoor space.

Elephant ear plants can be quite amazing, but, like any other plant, they may become sick or even die.

If your elephant ear plant is showing signs of poor looks, there are a few ways to revive the elephant ear plant.

It might be overwhelming to think about bringing a brown and droopy elephant ear plant back to life.

But don’t worry, with a bit of effort you can make it happen.

A Few Ways to Revive the Elephant Ear Plant

If you notice signs of distress on your elephant ear plant, don’t worry there are multiple ways to revive it so that it appears healthy once again.

Below are some of the best ways to revive your elephant ear plant and bring it back to life.

Identify the Reason

The first step on how to revive the elephant ear plant is to identify the reason for its poor health.

Common causes of an unhealthy elephant ear plant include overwatering, underwatering, inappropriate light exposure, or infestations of pests.

To restore the health of a neglected elephant ear plant, it is necessary to provide the plant with the correct amount of water and light conditions, as well as remove any pests that are present.

Once you identify the reason for your elephant ear plant’s problem, you can begin to take steps to bring it back to life.

Assess the Environment

The next step in how to revive the elephant ear plant is to assess the environment it is in.

Make sure the plant is receiving adequate light, water, and nutrients.

Once the environment is assessed and corrected, it is important to ensure the pot is well-drained.

This is very important for elephant ear plants since they thrive in moist soil but can quickly suffer from root rot if overwatered.

Also, providing lukewarm water regularly can help keep the plant hydrated, resulting in lush and healthy foliage.

Lukewarm water is the best temperature to use when watering an elephant ear plant.

As it will allow the plant to absorb water more quickly and prevent it from becoming too soggy.

The Right Size of the Pot

Another important factor when you revive the elephant ear plant is to make sure the pot is the right size.

When a pot is too small, there may not be enough room for the roots to expand.

The plant will not have enough room to grow. A pot that is too large can cause the soil to become soggy and lead to root rot.

To ensure the plant remains healthy and vibrant, choose a pot that is slightly larger than the root system.

If the pot is too big, the water will be absorbed faster, leading to dry soil and a dry elephant ear plant.

Once the pot is correctly sized, consider the type of soil.

The soil should be lightweight, have good drainage, and contain plenty of organic material for your plants to thrive.

Different plants have different soil requirements, so it is important to choose the correct kind.

Healthy and Fertilized Soil

Here is another way to revive the elephant ear plant. Make sure to check the soil often and fertilize it regularly.

If the plant is severely wilted and dry, soak it in a bowl of lukewarm water for a few hours before returning it to its pot.

Monitor the environment of the elephant ear plant to ensure it has the conditions it needs to survive and thrive.

It is also very important to consider applying Epsom salt to the soil. It can help plants like elephant ears become healthier and more resilient.

Epsom salt can help plants, like elephant ears, have lush, dark foliage.

It can also help reduce the diseases and pests that would otherwise get in the way of their growth.

Not to mention, Epsom salt offers essential minerals that help plants become bigger and stronger.

Elephant ear plants prefer moist, well-draining soil with a neutral pH balance. If the soil is too acidic, the plant will have yellow leaves.

Pruning

Pruning is another way to revive the elephant ear plants. This is a process of removing dead or diseased parts of the plant.

Proper pruning can also promote new growth and help shape the foliage.

If the leaves are particularly long and drooping, it is recommended to prune them back to the ideal length.

When pruning, be sure to use clean, sharp scissors or pruners and only trim a few leaves at a time.

It is best to prune in the early spring, as this is the ideal time for new growth to start.

Pruning is essential for maintaining the shape of the elephant ear plant and ensuring it receives adequate light and air circulation.

The Right Amount of Sunlight

Another way to revive the elephant ear plant is to keep it for around four hours in direct sunlight every day.

Giving it too much or too little sunlight can stunt its growth.

It’s important to make sure it’s in an area where it can get an adequate amount of sun. 

Without the right amount of sunlight, the plant won’t be able to photosynthesize properly, and it will eventually succumb to the elements.

While they do prefer bright light, they tolerate indirect sunlight and will even do well in shady spots.

The ideal location for an elephant ear plant receives direct sunlight for about 4 hours a day, with bright, indirect light for the rest of the day.

Too much sunlight could lead to it getting dried out and losing its lively green color.

Too little, however, will cause the plant to become lackluster and weak.

Pest Infestation

Lastly, One of the most common issues these plants experience is pest infestation.

Due to the large, broad leaves, elephant ear plants are especially susceptible to pests, such as aphids and mealy bugs.

Removing pests and insects is another way to revive the elephant ear plants.

An effective method to do this is to use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.

This can be done by spraying the leaves with soap or oil solution and rinsing them off with water.

An important part of the process is to make sure that the environment around the plant is also pest-free.

This can be done by removing potential hiding places for pests, eliminating sources of food, and keeping the area free of weeds. 

Conclusion

With some patience, care, and knowledge, you can give the elephant ear plant the best chance of a successful recovery.

Properly pruning, watering, and fertilizing the plant will help to ensure it is healthy and able to thrive.

If you find yourself struggling with the care and maintenance of your elephant ear plant, it is always a good idea to seek out advice from an experienced gardener or horticulturist.

Reviving the elephant ear plant back to life is not difficult, but it does take some time and effort.

Now that you know how to revive an elephant ear plant, you can relax and wait for its return.