The elephant ear plant is easy to grow houseplant. It can be easily grown in almost any indoor environment. Its large size leaves look so beautiful and add a good amount of greenery to your place.
The problem with this plant is it cannot tolerate an excessive quantity of water. To make a balance between water and nutrients elephant ear plant start dripping water.
This is the natural process of plants to save them from high moisture content.
Generally, it is not harmful but there are some conditions that also trigger water dripping.
In this article, I will cover all the possible causes of weeping water and its solution.
Is Leaf Dripping Harmful to Elephant Ear Plants?
Not only elephant ear plants there are also other topical plants that are known for dripping water from their leaves. This way they try to make a balanced level of moisture.
This process is called guttation. Plants use tiny pores of leaves that are connected to the main shaft and sap storage of plants to secrete extra water and nutrients.
Generally, alocasia leaf dripping is common in high humid areas. Where the air moisture is extremely high for the plant.
But is it bad for the health of your Ear plant?
Well, it depends on the cause of the alocasia dripping. If it is just the physiological mechanism to secrete extra moisture then it is ok.
But remember that this can be a sign of an overwatered plant. Plants suffering from excessive use of water often get root fungus diseases.
High-moist soil is an ideal environment for disease-causing bacteria. Excessive moist soil also decreases the intake of fresh oxygen, and the ability to absorb essential nutrients.
If you do not correct the extra moist conditions, your alocasia will catch root fungus diseases, and leaf fungus and it turns yellow and then die.
You May Also Like: How to fix Monstera brown spots?
What causes Leaf dripping in Elephant Ear?
Guttation Process
This process is the natural mechanism of plants to save their life in overwatered soil. In simple words, alocasia guttation is the result of regular overwatering.
Because in overwater conditions plant roots start absorbing more water than required. They do so to keep the moisture balance in the soil.
Then the defense mechanism of the plant releases the extra water through the tiny leaf pores into the atmosphere.
Guttation is common in tropical plants. This process takes place at night when the plant is resting and the leaf pores are closed.
Result of Transpiration
Transpiration is the physiological process of elephant ear plants like the biological process (photosynthesis).
In the biological process leaves of elephant ears absorb light waves and use them to make plant glucose. It is the source of plant energy to carry out all the essential processes.
Water uptake is continuous until the plant finishes photosynthesis.
At the same time, your plant is also engaged in the respiration process. In this process, it uses the glucose from the photosynthesis process.
The by-product of respiration is water vapors. Elephant ear plants release the water vapors into the atmosphere through leaf pores.
But this process is only carried at the daytime. Whereas the guttation is carried by plants at night.
Moreover, the water released by the respiration process is in the form of vapors. But in guttation, it is in the form of water droplets.
You May Also Like: How to grow Alocasia Maharani?
Difference between guttation and Transpiration?
- Guttation is a result of high moisture around the plant or excessive water in the soil.
- Transpiration is the natural process of plants and it is not linked to the amount of water in the pot.
- Transpiration occurs primarily in the daytime. Whereas guttation is mostly carried out at night.
- Extra water is released in the guttation but in transpiration water is lost through the entire process.
Insufficient Light
Guttation is common in plants that grow in low light corners. Because in low light, ear plants become unable to properly use water for photosynthesis.
And you give more water to your plant according to your care routine. This increases the water content in the soil.
As a result, the plant tries to keep the balance of water by dripping extra moisture.
Along with bright light elephant ear plants also need good air circulation in grow room. Airflow evenly spread the moisture in the entire room.
To prevent elephant ear plant water dripping. Place it in indirect bright light so that it can get a sufficient amount of light for 5 to 6 hours per day.
You May Also Like: Alocasia Ivory coast Vs Pink Dragon
Do I have to worry about the Guttation?
In 95% of cases, guttation is not harmful to the plant and you don’t need to worry about it. Once your plant secretes all extra water it will stop further water dripping.
Elephant ear plant dripping water means the air around your plant is carrying a high amount of moisture. Also, there is less air circulation near the plant.
Elephant plants need a good amount of moisture in the soil to grow. But too much moisture can result in root rot.
This is why you need to be concerned about the guttation if it goes more than 2 to 3 days.
It can be a sign of overwatered roots and root fungus.
Check the soil if it is soggy then you need to unpot your plant to check the root condition.
If the roots are damaged, then use a knife and cut the damaged part of the roots.
Signs of root rot:
- Leaves are turning yellow
- Slow or stunted growth
- Brown spots on the leaves and a foul smell from the soil
- Soil is wet to touch
- Green algae build upon the top surface of the soil
- Weak stems and small size of leaves
- No new leaf growth
How to Stop Alocasia Plant Crying?
Below are the ways to prevent or stop water dripping in tropical plants.
Place in Bright Light
The first step is to place your plant in indirect bright light. So that it can successfully carry out the photosynthesis process. This increases the proper use of water.
Direct light is not recommended and make sure the room temperature does not drop below 55 degrees F.
Air Flow
Install a fan in the room and also prune the plant to increase the airflow. If the room is too much humid then installing a duct fan will be very beneficial.
The duct fan will throw out the hot air and extra moisture. This increases the flow of fresh air in the room.
Do not place your plant near the entrance doors. The direct flow of too hot or cold air will worsen the problem.
Watering Applications
The watering technique can prevent this problem by 65% or more. Let the top 1 inch of the soil completely dry between watering.
This will prevent root fungus and all overwater-related plant diseases.
Also, make sure the water you are using does not contain heavy minerals. Check your tap water and then use it for watering plants.
Repotting
If you find the soil is waterlogged then it’s time to repot your elephant ear plant. Use fresh well-draining potting soil and your plant will regain its health in just a few days.
Do not use the old soil. Add it to your backyard garden.
