Do you want to know why the leaves on your elephant ear plant are turning brown or yellowish? Fortunately, there are just a few extremely rare reasons for this, so you shouldn’t worry too much.
Certain factors are easier to address than others. This article will explain all the possible causes of the yellowing or browning of your elephant ear plant’s leaves.
Natural Life Cycle
The first thing to check is its normal life cycle if your elephant ear plants start to turn brown or yellow. Depending on how long it has been around, a plant may occasionally discolour. Older leaves will begin to change colour before they finally fall off.
This is especially true when the seasons shift. The plant prepares for dormancy when the temperature drops. When this happens, it’s a good idea to trim back the yellowing leaves to provide room for new growth to sprout in the spring. In late October, larger-leaved plants will turn yellow.
Making sure your plant is receiving the proper temperature during its dormant season can have a significant impact on when it emerges in the spring. Even though elephant ears may withstand mild winter temperatures, it’s a good idea to cover them with mulch if you reside in a particularly cold climate. This protects them from the harsher winter weather.
Soil Conditions
While we’re talking about irrigation, you should be aware that poor soil conditions might cause discoloration. The ideal pH range for this type of soil is between 5.5 and 6.5. Anything over this may be harmful to the plant’s health and result in browning or yellowing.
Because it controls the availability of nutrients for plants, the pH of the soil is extremely important. If you plant in too-acidic soil, no amount of fertilizer will be able to support your plants.
Plants that have inferior soil due to insufficient organic matter from sources like compost and fertilizer may experience yellowing due to malnourishment.
Improper Sunlight
You should be aware that this specific plant prefers warm weather. For Colocasia, partially shaded areas with filtered light are ideal. Colonos and other light-sensitive plants will show fading leaves sooner than other plants.
For these plants, bright, indirect sunlight is ideal. In this way, they can achieve the perfect temperature without having to worry about their leaves burning. Plants produce their food through a process called photosynthesis, which depends on sunlight.
The areas with the least amount of sunlight exposure are where you will notice the yellowest sections. Moving plants to a better spot in your house or garden will substantially improve them.
Improper Watering
When your elephant ear plant begins to discolour, you should also consider how often you water it. Any plant may experience yellowing areas on its leaves before the entire leaf takes on the hue of too much or too little moisture.
Overwatering suffocates the plant, preventing it from absorbing the necessary nutrients. In the same way, a plant that is not receiving enough water cannot absorb nutrients because water is the vehicle via which nutrients are delivered to plants.
These plants require two to three inches of water every week. Water your plant sparingly, and it should begin to turn green once more.
Wrong Temperatures
The temperature is the last item to look at if you notice that your elephant ears are becoming yellowish-green too early in the season. The discoloration was most likely caused by exposure to a cold breeze. Elephant ears and numerous other tropical plants turn yellow in cold weather.
Indoor plants near air conditioners or other vents that release cold air run the risk of discolouring. Some Colocasia will turn entirely brown if left in the cold for an extended period. In any case, you should try to find a solution to this issue.
Since this plant is native to Southeast Asia’s tropical regions, temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit are perfect. They should get even more enthusiastic if you miss them to help keep the humidity at the appropriate level for them.
Lack of Nutrition
Malnutrition is a serious issue that may be the cause of your plant’s discoloration. Some of the reasons for this include dehydration, poor soil conditions, and inadequate sunlight.
When the veins are green but the leaf tissues are yellow, this indicates a nutrient shortage. If your plant looks like this, you will need to adjust the amount of fertilizer it receives.
Purchase fertilizer for the spring and summer if you intend to keep your Colocasia indoors. Fertilization in the autumn or winter is not required and could potentially be detrimental to your plant. Your plant will surely grow lush and green again if it receives the nutrients it requires.
Acclimation
The final reason for the discoloration of this plant could be due to simple acclimatization. As the final consideration, make sure you rule out all other factors before making this determination. It’s normal for newly purchased plants to feel a little taken aback by their new surroundings.
Since they are accustomed to the circumstances of the greenhouse where they were raised, they may find it difficult to adjust to a new environment.
The indications are concerning: the plant is drooping, its lowest leaves have died, and it has become discoloured. There should finally be no more browning or yellowing, and new growth will emerge. Be patient and continue to provide for its needs; it will recover quickly.
Root Damage
A root injury may also result in discoloration. Compacted roots occur when a plant outgrows its pot. Elephant ear plants quickly outgrow their pots as they grow larger. The leaves may become yellow and drop off as a result of the obstruction of oxygen, water, and nutrient transmission.
Another way to help is to slightly prune the roots. Making sure the soil is well-aerated will help shield landscaping plantings from root damage. Look at your plant’s roots and note the hue.
Healthy roots have a pale, creamy yellow hue. Darker roots are often a sign of rot, especially if the area has an unpleasant smell. Unfortunately, this means that you should start over and throw out your plant.
Conclusion
We hope that this post has helped you understand why the leaves on your elephant ear plant are becoming brown or yellow. Watch your plant closely to ensure that it is getting the proper care. By following its guidelines, any possible discoloration can be easily fixed.
You can then take pleasure in your plant returning to its previous splendour. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have in the comments section below concerning plants that are changing colour! We always like responding to inquiries from other gardeners.