Bloom
Elephant Ear Tree
Air purifying

Fabaceae

Elephant Ear Tree: Full Sun Plant

Enterolobium contortisiliquum

Easy โ˜€๏ธ Direct sun โš ๏ธ Toxic to pets

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.

๐Ÿ’ง Watering

Every 10 days

โ˜€๏ธ Light

Direct sun

๐ŸŒก๏ธ Temperature

10ยฐ - 35ยฐC

๐Ÿ’จ Humidity

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, 40โ€“80% 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.

๐Ÿ’ง

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.

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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.

๐Ÿชด

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.

๐Ÿบ

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

๐ŸŒฑ

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?

๐ŸŒฑ

Sowing

  • The germination rate is very high when dormancy breaking is performed correctly.
  1. 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. 2
    Planting

    Sow 2 seeds per bag or tube using a substrate rich in organic matter, at a depth of 1 cm.

  3. 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. 4
    Thinning

    After about 30 days, leave only the most vigorous seedling in each container.

Materials needed:

Mature seedsSandpaper or hot waterOrganic substrateSeedling bags or tubes
โฑ๏ธ Time: 3-20 days ๐Ÿ“Š Success rate: high ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Best season: Spring

How Big Does Elephant Ear Tree Grow?

TLDR: Elephant Ear Tree can reach up to 35.0m tall with Fast growth rate.

๐Ÿ“

Max height

35.0m

โ†”๏ธ

Spread

25.0m

๐Ÿ“ˆ

Growth rate

Fast

๐Ÿƒ

Foliage

Deciduous

โš ๏ธ

Warning: Toxic Plant

This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:

๐Ÿฑ Cats ๐Ÿถ Dogs ๐Ÿ‘ถ Children

Plant Uses

๐ŸŒบ

Ornamental

Great for decoration

๐Ÿ’จ

Air Purifying

Improves air quality

๐Ÿ’Š

Medicinal

Medicinal properties

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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

High

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.

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Caterpillars

High

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.

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Root Rot

High

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.

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Mealybugs

High

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.

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โœจ

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.

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Sources & References

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