If you’re looking for a big, bold, exciting tropical plant to bring into your home or office and make a statement, look no further than the black elephant ear plant. With its large, wide leaves that resemble elephant ears (hence the name), and its dark purple coloring that appears black in low light, this plant will grow to 6 feet tall and several feet wide if you let it.
Thinking the Colocasia esculenta might be right for you? Let us tell you more.
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A Black Elephant Ear Plant Is Good for Homes and Offices
The black elephant ear is called black magic for a reason. There is something truly enchanting about the effect it has on your home or office space. It feels a bit like bringing the wild, tropical jungle into your home – without the large deadly serpents or fierce tigers.
This gorgeous conversation starter is also great for the air in your home or office. Because of its extensive greenery, this plant from the philodendron family will revitalize the air in its atmosphere through its natural filtration abilities.
It will clean your space of pollutants, gases, and allergens, encouraging you to breathe deeply, easily, and healthfully.
Having a plant this large and dramatic in a space you spend a lot of time in will also bring more peace to your life. That’s a win/win.
Are Black Elephant Ear Plants Good for the Feng Shui Flow of a Room?
In terms of feng shui, the black elephant ear is big, bold, healthy, and vibrant, all energies that will express themselves in your flow space. If you are in search of big energy, this plant will do well in a corner of the space where you spend time working, concentrating, or “selling yourself.”
Also, the dark greens and purples speak to nobility and strength, so you can draw on that energy as well.
The black elephant ear is a classic symbol in feng shui of good luck, brightness, and positive thoughts. Keep this one close.
To learn more about establishing feng shui and flow in your home or office, check out the master class article on how to use feng shui.
Are Black Elephant Ear Plants Easy to Grow and Maintain?
The black elephant ear plant is relatively easy to care for; it simply takes getting used to its needs and rhythms.
How Do Black Elephant Ear Plants Grow?
This rich, vibrant plant will thrive in a bright corner with both direct and indirect light.
Remember it is native to the tropics, and it typically sits under much larger plants that shield it from direct light, but because it is so large, it will usually also access full sunlight for at least a few hours of the day. You want to try to mimic this reality in your home or office.
What Kind of Soil Does a Black Elephant Ear Plant Need?
The type of soil is not as important as the fact that it must be well-draining. You can use clay, loam, or sand as the black elephant ear will adapt to pretty much any style of soil.
How Much Light Does a Black Elephant Ear Plant Need?
This exotic plant wants direct sunlight, but not too much. The ideal location would be a big, bright corner where the sunlight will come and go.
How Much Water Does a Black Elephant Ear Plant Need?
This plant is large and in charge. Like the elephant it is named for, it loves water. You will want to ensure it gets plenty of water but also be sure the soil does not get soggy, which can eventually lead to root rot.
For more information on this topic, check out this article on watering mistakes you’re making that are killing your plants for more tips.
Other Conditions that Are Important to a Black Elephant Ear Plant
To help your black magic fully thrive, plant it in a slightly acidic soil and mix in some organic compost and mulch.
It also loves humidity, so you can run a humidifier in the room. Pay attention to the temperature, as well, making sure your plant doesn’t get cold. Again, think tropical!
Black Elephant Ear Plant Decorating Ideas
Okay, you’re dealing with a plant that will grow up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It’s big!
So, find a large, open space like an empty corner in a big room. You can bring this black magic into an already tropical space, or you can use it as a tropical anchor in an otherwise minimalist space.
Choose a neutral-toned pot in which to keep it as it will have to be quite large, and you don’t want the containter to detract from its dramatic, leafy foliage.
Do Fake Black Elephant Ear Plants Look Real?
Now, if you’re worried about killing your black elephant plant, you can always go artificial.
The fake plant trend is highly attractive right now, and you can find a great, high-quality artificial version of the black magic plant to keep in a corner of your room without having to worry about water, sunlight, soil, and even fertilizer. And you can still reap most of the benefits!
If you’re already building an artificial plant collection, this black elephant ear plant will make a great addition. If you’re worried your fake plant will not be in style, check out my piece on whether artificial plants and flowers are tacky.
Either way, the black elephant plant, fake or real, will be a beautiful accent to any space.
How do you feel about the black elephant ear plant? Do you already have one? Where do you keep yours and how do you care for it? Let me know in the comments below. I love to hear from my readers.
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