---
title: "Not much of a problem, recently purchased an elephant ear plant, only…"
description: "Not much of a problem, recently purchased an elephant ear plant, only my 3rd plant. Should my soil be damp. I think the plant may have came overwatered. Maybe…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/656ec4dc0ecebc0fca55a6cf"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "The Plant Father"
published: "2023-12-05T06:36:12.824Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/pestsDiseasesAndProblems.jpg"
---

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# Not much of a problem, recently purchased an elephant ear plant, only…

_Posted by The Plant Father on 2023-12-05_

Not much of a problem, recently purchased an elephant ear plant, only my 3rd plant. Should my soil be damp. I think the plant may have came overwatered. Maybe they added more water since it was a shipped to me. Moisture at the top and wet at the base.

## 7 comments

### sabrina commented on 2023-12-05

I think you’re correct for the most part, It says your pot has drainage- and otherwise looks pretty healthy! I would recommend repotting with new soil if the base and top are both wet. You definitely want to avoid problems such as root rot or yellowing leaves.

#### sabrina replied on 2023-12-05

personally I would get one size larger. Starting at the base of your empty pot, i’d add a few river rocks covering the base (you can get most of the listed supplies from lowe’s or your local nursery) then i would mix about 50/50 perlite and all purpose soil to the top :) Hopefully that does the trick and leaves your plant healthy!!

#### sabrina replied on 2023-12-05

good drainage is key’

#### The Plant Father replied on 2023-12-05

On it first thing in the morning. Thanks !!

#### sabrina replied on 2023-12-05

happy planting:)!

#### Plant Father replied on 2023-12-05

please look into perched water tables in potted plants. there are several helpful articles online that will explain how adding stones to the bottom of your pots impedes drainage significantly and will ensure your soil stays wet longer

### Sunny commented on 2023-12-05

Surprisingly, this variety of elephant ears can grow in ponds or on a river’s edge. They can live in about 6 inches of standing water! They won’t easily get root rot from overwatering like other plants. They would need to have broken roots (from repotting) or chewed roots (eg., from fungus gnats larvae) that get infected.

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