Fabaceae
Elephant Ear Tree: Full Sun Plant
Enterolobium contortisiliquum
Requires full sun and plenty of open space to develop its roots and canopy. It tolerates drought well once established but requires frequent watering during the first few years after planting.
Every 10 days
Direct sun
10ยฐ - 35ยฐC
40% - 80%
Categories
What is Elephant Ear Tree?
Elephant Ear Tree (Enterolobium contortisiliquum) is a easy-care plant from the Fabaceae family. The Elephant Ear Tree is a native tree of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Cerrado, belonging to the Fabaceae family. It can reach heights of 20 to 35 meters with a trunk diameter of up to 1.6 meters. It is famous for its wide, umbrella-shaped canopy and its woody, curved, hollow fruits that resemb...
Elephant Ear Tree grows up to 35.0m, spread of 2500cm, watering every 10 days, 10ยฐC โ 35ยฐC, 40โ80% humidity. It is not suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Elephant Ear Tree tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs.
How to Care for Elephant Ear Tree?
TLDR: Elephant Ear Tree needs Direct sun, watering every 10 days, and temperatures between 10-35ยฐC with 40-80% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Elephant Ear Tree?
Water young seedlings frequently (almost daily in the first few weeks), gradually reducing the frequency. Adult and established trees tolerate dry periods but benefit from watering during prolonged droughts.
How Much Light Does Elephant Ear Tree Need?
Requires direct sun exposure for at least 6 hours a day; it does not thrive in the shade.
What Is the Best Soil for Elephant Ear Tree?
Prefers fertile, deep, and well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. It adapts to sandy or clay soils as long as they do not become waterlogged.
What Pot Should You Use for Elephant Ear Tree?
Not suitable for pots or indoor cultivation; it must be planted directly in the ground in a spacious location due to its large adult size.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 180 days
What Is Elephant Ear Tree and Where Does It Come From?
The Elephant Ear Tree is a native tree of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Cerrado, belonging to the Fabaceae family. It can reach heights of 20 to 35 meters with a trunk diameter of up to 1.6 meters. It is famous for its wide, umbrella-shaped canopy and its woody, curved, hollow fruits that resemble a human or monkey ear (and a small drum, which is the origin of the Portuguese name 'tamboril'). A fast-growing deciduous pioneer species, it produces small white globular flowers between winter and summer and is widely used in reforestation, urban forestry, and large-scale landscaping.
How to Propagate Elephant Ear Tree?
Sowing
- The germination rate is very high when dormancy breaking is performed correctly.
- 1 Scarification
Lightly sand the side of the seed or soak it in hot water (80ยฐC) for 2 minutes to break the seed coat dormancy.
- 2 Planting
Sow 2 seeds per bag or tube using a substrate rich in organic matter, at a depth of 1 cm.
- 3 Irrigation
Water twice a day for the first 30 days and then once a day until germination, which occurs within 3 to 20 days.
- 4 Thinning
After about 30 days, leave only the most vigorous seedling in each container.
Materials needed:
How Big Does Elephant Ear Tree Grow?
TLDR: Elephant Ear Tree can reach up to 35.0m tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
35.0m
Spread
25.0m
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Deciduous
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Air Purifying
Improves air quality
Medicinal
Medicinal properties
Medicinal Uses
- The bark contains saponins and is used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory.
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Elephant Ear Tree?
TLDR: Elephant Ear Tree is susceptible to 4 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by fungi in the genus Colletotrichum that affects many plants, including vegetables, fruits, and trees. The disease thrives in cool, wet conditions, causing dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars are the larval stage of moths and butterflies that feed voraciously on plant foliage, stems, flowers, and fruits. Common species include cabbage loopers, tomato hornworms, armyworms, and cutworms. These pests can cause extensive damage by consuming large amounts of plant tissue in a short time. They vary in size from small (1/4 inch) to large (5 inches), with colors ranging from green to brown, often featuring stripes or spots. Caterpillars are highly mobile and can quickly spread throughout gardens, making them one of the most destructive common pests.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
Meaning & Symbolism
Its curved, hollow pods, which resemble a tambourine or an ear, gave rise to its popular names. As a pioneer species native to the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado, it symbolizes resilience, protection, and forest regeneration.
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | โ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | โ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | โ |
| Cushion Bush | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | โ |
Choose & Compare
Sources & References
- Tamboril - Enterolobium contortisiliquum - Jardineiro.net
- Tamboril (Enterolobium Contortisiliquum) - Sitio da Mata
- Tamboril da Mata (Enterolobium contortisiliquum) - Sitio da Mata
- Enterolobium contortisiliquum - Wikipedia
- Ingestion of the pods of Enterolobium contortisiliquum causes hepatogenous photosensitization in cattle - PubMed
- How To Grow Enterolobium contortisiliquum | EarthOne