Photo: Skjold SøndergaardCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Five-veined Elephant Ear Plant Care
Elaphandra quinquenervis (S.F.Blake) H.Rob.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's most distinctive visual feature is its deeply veined, dark green leaves with a glossy sheen. Originating from tropical regions of Southeast Asia, Elaphandra quinquenervis is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique foliage and ability to thrive in humid environments. Its striking appearance and low maintenance requirements make it a prized addition to any indoor jungle.
Every 7–10 days
Partial to full sun
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Five-veined Elephant Ear?
Water Five-veined Elephant Ear every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Five-veined Elephant Ear?
Five-veined Elephant Ear (Elaphandra quinquenervis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Elaphandra genus. Five-veined Elephant Ear is native to South America. Five-veined Elephant Ear is also known as Five-vein Arum.
Five-veined Elephant Ear displays a compact, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Five-veined Elephant Ear produces small daisy-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Five-veined Elephant Ear?
Elaphandra quinquenervis requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Five-veined Elephant Ear Need?
Five-veined Elephant Ear thrives in partial to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Five-veined Elephant Ear Prefer?
Elaphandra quinquenervis grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Five-veined Elephant Ear prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Five-veined Elephant Ear?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Five-veined Elephant Ear to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Five-veined Elephant Ear?
Feed Five-veined Elephant Ear every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Five-veined Elephant Ear?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Five-veined Elephant Ear?
Five-veined Elephant Ear can be propagated through division, seeds.
Is the Five-veined Elephant Ear Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Five-veined Elephant Ear, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Five-veined Elephant Ear?
Five-veined Elephant Ear is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Five-veined Elephant Ear Need?
Five-veined Elephant Ear grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Five-veined Elephant Ear is native to South America. In cooler regions, grow Five-veined Elephant Ear as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Five-veined Elephant Ear is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Elaphandra genus — compare its care with other Elaphandra species on PlantoScan.
Elaphandra is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Five-veined Elephant Ear thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Elaphandra quinquenervis (S.F.Blake) H.Rob., family Asteraceae (first published in Phytologia 72(2): 147 (1992): (1992)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Five-veined Elephant Ear, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Skjold Søndergaard, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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