Arrowleaf Elephant Ear (Xanthosoma sagittifolium)

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Sunlight Bright indirect light; avoid direct midday sun which can scorch leaves; tolerates deep shade for short periods

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Watering Water when the top 5–7 cm of soil dries out; avoid overwatering to prevent corm rot

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Temperature Thrives at 18–27°C; protect from temperatures below 12°C to prevent leaf damage and corm stress

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Leaf: Large glossy sagittate (arrow-shaped) leaves up to 1 m long; deep green or variegated in cultivated varieties
Stem: Thick fleshy petioles supporting foliage; underground storage corm
Inflorescence: Pale green spathe enclosing a spadix (rarely produced indoors)

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Watering

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; mist leaves to boost ambient humidity

Fertilization

Diluted balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks. Discontinue fertilization in autumn and winter when growth slows

Banana peel compost tea：Soak fully composted banana peels in water for 24 hours; dilute 1:20 for root drench to support healthy leaf growth

Pruning

Remove yellow or damaged leaves at the base of the petiole to maintain plant appearance and airflow
Trim overgrown petioles to control plant size and prevent overcrowding
Cut back all foliage to 10 cm above the corm in late autumn when overwintering indoors to reduce stress

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Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA confirmed toxic; ingestion leads to oral pain, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing

Humans: Contains calcium oxalate crystals; ingestion causes oral irritation and temporary swelling

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Culture: N/A

Usage: Ornamental foliage for indoor decor and tropical garden beds; corms are edible only after thorough cooking to neutralize toxic crystals