Elephant Ear Leaves Turning White: Causes and Solutions

Elephant ear plants (Colocasia esculenta) are known for their large, heart-shaped leaves that come in striking colors like black, burgundy, and green. However, if your elephant ear leaves start turning white, it’s a sign that something is wrong.

In this article, we’ll examine the most common reasons behind elephant ear leaves turning white and what you can do to restore your plant’s health

Overview of Elephant Ear Plants

Native to tropical Asia, elephant ear plants are tuberous perennials that grow in USDA zones 8-11. They can reach heights of 3-6 feet tall and spread 3-5 feet wide

Elephant ears form clumps of broad leaves on upright stems. The leaves emerge from a central corm. Leaf colors include various shades of green, black, purple, burgundy and white. Small calla lily-like flowers occasionally appear but are not the main attraction.

While elephant ear plants thrive in outdoor gardens in warm climates, they also make excellent houseplants or patio container plants where temperatures stay above 60°F.

Now let’s look at why elephant ear leaves may turn white and what you can do about it

Causes of White Leaves on Elephant Ears

There are a few key reasons that elephant ear leaves turn white, which we’ll examine below:

Sun Scald

The most common cause of white elephant ear leaves is sun scalding or sunburn. Elephant ears prefer bright, indirect light or dappled sunlight. Too much direct sun can damage the leaves.

Sun scald first appears as pale yellow or white areas on the leaves. Eventually the affected tissue dries up and turns brown. It occurs most frequently on leaves that are exposed to hot afternoon sun.

To prevent sun scald, avoid situating elephant ears in locations with more than 2-3 hours of direct sun, especially midday sun. Filtered light under trees or a patio cover is ideal. Also make sure to provide adequate water, as drought stress increases sun damage.

Cold Damage

Elephant ears are tropical plants that thrive in warm temperatures. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below 60°F can injure the leaves.

Cold damage first appears as white, water-soaked spots on the leaves. The spots then turn brown or black. Shriveled, curled leaves are also a sign of chill damage.

To avoid cold injury, make sure to grow elephant ear plants where temperatures stay above 60°F. Move container plants indoors before autumn frosts arrive. Protect outdoor plantings by mulching around the roots for warmth.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Lack of key nutrients can also cause unusual white markings or chlorosis on elephant ear leaves. Nutrients like nitrogen, magnesium and iron facilitate chlorophyll production and photosynthesis.

Nitrogen deficiency shows up as pale green or yellowing leaves with distinct white veins. Iron and magnesium deficiencies create interveinal chlorosis, or yellow tissue between the leaf veins while the veins remain green.

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season to prevent nutrient deficiencies. Also amend the soil with compost or worm castings to supply a range of organics.

Root Rot

One other potential cause of white elephant ear leaves is root rot. Overwatering can lead to root rot, where the roots are suffocated by excess moisture and start to die off and rot away.

This impairs the roots’ ability to take up water and nutrients to supply the leaves. As the leaves are starved of nourishment, they turn pale yellow or white before eventually dying.

To prevent root rot, allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings. Improve drainage by adding materials like perlite, gravel or sand to the potting mix. Discard any rotten roots and repot plants into fresh, sterile soil.

How to Treat White Elephant Ear Leaves

Now that we’ve covered the main reasons behind white elephant ear leaves, let’s discuss solutions and treatments:

• Move plants out of direct sun to a location with bright, indirect light to prevent further sun scald damage.

• Increase temperatures above 60°F and move containers indoors if needed to avoid cold injury.

• Fertilize monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season to prevent nutrient deficiencies.

• Check for soggy soil and root rot. Repot in fast-draining soil if present.

• Prune off any severely damaged white leaves. New healthy leaves will replace them over time.

• Increase humidity around plants to limit moisture loss and drought stress. Grouping plants together or using a pebble tray helps increase humidity.

• Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Let the top inch dry out before watering again.

• Inspect for pests like spider mites that can also cause stippling or chlorosis. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil if found.

With proper adjustments to their growing conditions, elephant ear plants can bounce back from white leaves. Just take quick action at the first sign of problems for the best results.

How to Prevent White Elephant Ear Leaves

Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to plant health. Here are some tips to stop elephant ear leaves from turning white in the first place:

• Plant in a site with 2-3 hours of morning sun and afternoon shade. Avoid hot midday sun.

• Use shade cloth over plants if needed to filter intense sunlight.

• Bring containers indoors if cold temperatures below 60°F threaten.

• Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil dries out. Don’t overwater.

• Improve drainage by amending dense soil with perlite or sand.

• Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.

• Increase humidity around plants by grouping pots together or using a pebble tray.

• Prune off any dead, damaged or diseased leaves promptly.

• Check regularly for pests and treat any infestations immediately.

If the large, gorgeous leaves of your elephant ear plant are suddenly turning white, it’s almost always a sign of environmental stress.

Common culprits include too much sun, cold temperatures, lack of key nutrients, pests and diseases like root rot.

Catching the issue early and making adjustments to light levels, watering, temperatures and fertilization will help restore your plant’s health.

With the proper care, your elephant ears will reward you with stunning foliage all season long. Just provide bright, indirect light, warm temperatures, even moisture and adequate nutrition for the best elephant ear plant performance.