Cast Iron Plant
The Cast Iron Plant is a toughie. It thrives on neglect and looks good all year round. The upright, glossy green leaves grow incredibly well indoors.
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Bring the tropics indoors with a feature plant that really likes to listen! Okay, technically, it doesn’t have ears, but the leaves of this tropical species do closely resemble elephant ears. Their resemblance is so uncanny, that they are commonly known by this name. Elephant ears (Alocasia spp.) are available in variety of sizes, colours and textures. The larger leaf form are popularly used indoors to hide those ‘not so nice’ looking corners of the room, whereas the smaller varieties are great for adding a little variety to benches, tables or used as low understory plantings. With the wide variety currently available and their easy care nature, you are sure to find a variety that will be music to your ears
How to grow elephant ears in a pot
- Choose a pot at least twice the size of the original pot. Position in a well-lit indoors, but away from direct sunlight.
- Partially fill your chosen planter with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
- Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any encircled or tangled roots.
- Position in pot and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
- Water occasionally, allowing the plant to slightly dry out between waterings.
- Feed fortnightly from spring to autumn with Yates Thrive Indoor Liquid Plant Food or use a Yates Thrive Indoor Plants & Ferns Dripper which feeds for 4 weeks.
How to grow elephant ears in a garden
- Choose a well drained, partly shaded spot in the garden and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed.
- Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots.
- Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.
- Mulch lightly with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, woodchip or pea straw and water in well.
- Water once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions to keep the soil lightly moist.
- Feed fortnightly from spring to autumn with Yates Thrive Indoor Liquid Plant Food or use a Yates Thrive Indoor Plants & Ferns Dripper which feeds for 4 weeks.
Growing tips
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Keep the leaves clean by wiping with a damp cloth.
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Elephants ears can be easily propagated through division. When the clumps are overcrowded (usually after a couple of years), carefully remove from the pot or ground and using a clean sharp knife, separate them into manageable clumps.
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Remove dead stems from the base of the plant to encourage a clean well groomed appearance.
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When grown indoors In winter, keep the soil on the dry side as they don’t like having too much water near their base during their dormant period.
Air Plants
Air Plants literally live off the air & can be grown indoors, hanging from tree branches or balancing decoratively on intriguing objects.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera are not just there to help with those after beach sunburns, but can also assist in the home by removing toxins in the air.
Dracaena
Breathe life into your indoor areas with a happy plant. It’s happy anywhere – in a dark corner, in a well-lit spot or outdoors in a protected area.
Recommended products
Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed
A certified organic garden input boosted with NZ Seaweed to gently nourish plants, enrich the soil and encourage a strong healthy root system.
Yates Premium Potting Mix
A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.
Yates Thrive Indoor Liquid Plant Food
Provides indoor plants with the balanced nutrition they need to produce stronger, healthier foliage and an abundance of vibrant flowers.
Yates Thrive Indoor Plants & Ferns Liquid Plant Food Drippers
Ready-to-use and specially formulated to help you easily feed your indoor plants. To use simply snip off the tip and insert into the potting mix.
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