Care of the indoor plant Xanthosoma or Elephant ear |
|
The genus Xanthosoma, family Araceae, comprises 40 species of herbaceous plants native to tropical America. Some species are: Xanthosoma nigrum (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), Xanthosoma robustum, Xanthosoma wendlandii, Xanthosoma mexicanum. Common name: Elephant ear. They are tropical plants with large fleshy lanceolate leaves with a long ribbed petiole. The inflorescence is club-shaped surrounded by a white or yellowish bract. The fruits are shaped like berries. They are used as greenhouse plants and as indoor plants in brightly lit bathrooms (they need high humidity). The Xanthosoma needs a lot of light but without direct sun and annual average temperatures above 18-20 ºC. The soil can be a commercial substrate for houseplants or a mixture of peat moss, mulch soil, and decomposed garden leaves. Transplant in spring. Water abundantly so that the substrate never dries out. The humidity must be high. Fertilize in spring every 15 days with mineral fertilizer. They are plants resistant to pests and diseases. If the tips of the leaves turn brown, it indicates that the substrate is calcareous or that they suffer from drought. They are propagated in spring by separating lateral suckers that have roots. |
Images of the indoor plant Xanthosoma or Elephant ear |
 Xanthosoma mexicanum  Xanthosoma nigrum  Xanthosoma robustum  Xanthosoma sagittifolium  Xanthosoma sagittifolium  Xanthosoma wendlandii |