Question
I have moved my Alocasia (Elephant Ears) outdoors for the summer and it is very much overgrown.  How do you prune these plants?  It barely fits through the patio doors this year.  

Answer
Hi Nancy,

Overgrowing is a problem with Alocasia as it does not really respond to pruning. The best measure is preventive, meaning keeping it in a small pot and pruning the roots and not moving it outside in the warmer months. We all like to see plants flourishing and getting larger and we do what we can to promote that healthy growth. However, there comes a time where that growth becomes a problem and that has happened with your Alocasia.

About all you can do at this point is to cut down the largest leaf stem or stems. This may trigger new growth from the sprouts near the roots.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]