When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Elephant ear is a name given to several plants in the Colocasia family that are grown for their large, dramatic foliage. These plants are most often grown in cooler climates as an annual where they do not become a problem. However, they are hardy in zones 8-11 and grow as an evergreen in zone 11. In hot, humid, tropical locations, one little elephant ear plant can all too quickly become a mass of them. How do you get rid of elephant ears? Continue reading for the answer.
As an enthusiast of the stunning Amazon Elephant Ear plant, you know how rewarding it is to nurture their iconic arrow-shaped leaves and tropical flair But you may have also dealt with the frustration of destructive borers infesting your prized plant Getting rid of borers on Amazon Elephant Ears requires knowledge, persistence and an integrated pest management approach. This comprehensive guide will equip you to identify, treat, and prevent borers on Amazon Elephant Ears for good.
What are Borers and How Do They Damage Amazon Elephant Ears?
Borers are small beetle or moth larvae that bore into plant stems crowns and leaves, causing significant damage. On Amazon Elephant Ears, they bore into leaf petioles and midribs riddling leaves with holes. Larvae feed inside plant tissue, creating winding tunnels packed with fecal matter. This compromises water and nutrient transport, causing leaves to wilt, yellow and distort. Heavy borer damage can even kill the plant. Prompt borer identification and treatment is key to saving your Elephant Ear.
Identifying Borers on Amazon Elephant Ear Plants
Closely inspect leaves petioles stems and crown for entry holes, sawdust-like frass and tunnels. Also check for
- Wilting, curling, yellowing or distorted leaves
- Stunted, reduced growth
- Damaged or dying leaves and shoots
- Holes in stems, petioles and crown
- Hollowed out leaf tunnels packed with frass
Catching infestations early allows for quicker control before extensive damage occurs.
Effective Tactics to Eliminate Borers from Amazon Elephant Ears
Once borers are detected, implement these tactics to eliminate them:
Manual Removal
- Pluck borer larvae, eggs and adults off plants by hand
- Prune and destroy heavily infested parts
Beneficial Insects
- Release parasitic wasps that lay eggs in borer larvae
Insecticides
- Treat with targeted insecticidal soaps or neem oil sprays
Soil Drench Systemics
- Apply insecticides to soil to permeate plant tissues
Biological Nematicides
- Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) sprays containing bacteria deadly to borers
An integrated approach using several methods often provides the best control. Be sure to follow all product labels and instructions carefully.
Preventing Future Borer Infestations on Elephant Ears
Prevention is key to avoiding continual borer issues. Follow these tips proactively:
- Inspect plants frequently for early detection
- Remove and destroy fallen leaves and debris
- Keep plants vigorous through proper care
- Use pheromone traps to monitor borer activity
- Apply beneficial nematodes to soil as protection
- Rotate Elephant Ears to different garden areas annually
- Cover susceptible plants with floating row covers
Catching infestations early and keeping plants robust limits borer damage and gives you the upper hand.
Left uncontrolled, rampant borers can quickly destroy treasured Amazon Elephant Ear plants. But armed with knowledge of borer identification, treatment methods and prevention, you can protect your Elephant Ears. Be vigilant in monitoring plants. At first signs of borers, take action using manual removal, beneficials, insecticides and nematodes. And be proactive with preventive care. With persistence and an integrated pest approach, you can eliminate borers and enjoy vigorous, flourishing Amazon Elephant Ears.
How Do You Get Rid of Elephant Ears?
Giant elephant ear (Colocasia gigantea) and Taro (Colocasia esculenta) are plants in the Colocasia family that both get referred to as elephant ears. The common elephant ear can grow up to 9 feet (2.7 m.) tall though, while Taro, only grows to about 4 feet (1.2 m.). Elephant ears are native to Central and South America where their large tubers are eaten like a potato. Taro is native to the tropics of Asia, where their tubers are also a food source. Both plants are native to sub-tropic and tropical locations, both spread by underground rhizomes and both can easily get out of hand pretty quickly. Elephant ears are listed as an invasive species in Florida, Louisiana and Texas, where they have caused many problems by invading natural waterways. Their dense tubers can clog shallow water ways and cut off water flow to native species of plants, fish and amphibians. Elephant ear’s large foliage also shades out and kills native vegetation.
Removing Elephant Ears from the Garden
Getting rid of elephant ears is no simple task. It requires persistence. Removing unwanted elephant ear plants involves using herbicides as well as actually digging up the aggressive tubers. When selecting an herbicide, read the product label thoroughly, especially if you intend to replant in the location you are spraying. Some herbicides can remain in the soil for a very long time, making it a waste of time and money to replant the area too soon. Always read labels carefully.
The proper herbicide for elephant ear will be an all-purpose type. Spray all the aerial parts of the plant thoroughly with the herbicide, then give it time to start working. The foliage and stems will die back as the herbicide works its way down into the tuber. Once the foliage has died back, start digging up the tubers. Be sure to wear gloves; not only can herbicides cause nasty chemical burns, but people have reported skin irritations from handling elephant ear tubers. Dig down 2-3 feet (61-91 cm) to make sure you are getting all the tubers out. Any small bit of tuber left in the soil can quickly become another mass of elephant ears. Also, dig out wider than the elephant ears were in the landscape to get any rhizomes trying to head off on their own. Once you think you have gotten all the elephant ears, dispose of them immediately and replace the soil. Now you just have to wait, they may come back and you may have to redo the whole process, but keeping a careful eye on the area and applying herbicide and digging up any elephant ears that come back immediately will make the task easier. Repetition and persistent elephant ear control will eventually pay off.
Note: Chemical control should only be used as a last resort, as organic approaches are more environmentally friendly. It is recommended that you try digging up all parts of the plant first before resorting to the use of herbicides.
TIPS FOR GROWING ELEPHANT EARS IN POTS
FAQ
What do you spray on elephant ear plants?
How do you fix a sick elephant ear plant?
How do I permanently get rid of elephant ears?
Is elephant ear poisonous?
Elephant’s Ear (Alocasia) is a common outdoor garden plant and container plant for indoors. The plant gets its common name from the shape of the enormous leaves. All parts of the Elephant’s Ear plant are considered toxic. Many people experience severe skin irritation from contact with Elephant Ear’s leaves.
How do I get rid of elephant ear?
Elephant ear’s large foliage also shades out and kills native vegetation. Getting rid of elephant ears is no simple task. It requires persistence. Removing unwanted elephant ear plants involves using herbicides as well as actually digging up the aggressive tubers.
How do you get rid of elephant ear tubers?
Be sure to wear gloves; not only can herbicides cause nasty chemical burns, but people have reported skin irritations from handling elephant ear tubers. Dig down 2-3 feet (61-91 cm) to make sure you are getting all the tubers out. Any small bit of tuber left in the soil can quickly become another mass of elephant ears.
How do you kill elephant ear plants?
Spray the elephant ear plants with a glyphosate-based herbicide. This is best for mature elephant ear plants that have already reached their maximum height of 1 to 2 feet. Put on gloves and eye goggles before you mist the entire surface of the elephant ear plant with the herbicide. It will die within 10 days.