How to Grow and Care for Alocasia Indoors

Alocasia spp.

I’ve all the time been one who favors the easy-care houseplants – low-maintenance succulents and pothos and such. It takes one thing particular to ease me out of my consolation zone.

Alocasia is simply such a plant. Its outsized “elephant ear” leaves and tropical vibe are so interesting, I willingly put within the further work this barely choosy foliage requires.

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What’s somewhat further watering and creating a damp oasis right here within the dry air of my residence when such magnificence and drama are the outcomes?

Described with varied widespread names together with African masks, large taro, kris plant, and elephant ear, Alocasia species boast huge, lovely leaves that might be at residence within the tropics, which is the place they originated.

And that’s what makes them somewhat more durable to develop and look after than the common pot of philodendron or spiderwort. They want situations that mimic the areas the place they’re native.

Just a few of their rising necessities embody humidity of at the very least 50 p.c, residence temperatures of 60°F or larger, and loads of vibrant, oblique gentle.

If creating that setting indoors seems like one thing you’d be keen to do, gained’t you let me introduce you to a number of the dramatic varieties on this genus?

When you’re extra aware of what these crops have to supply, I’ll additionally share tips about accommodating their particular rising wants.

Right here’s what I’ll cowl:

What Is Alocasia?

Crops of the Alocasia genus are native to Southeast Asia, southern China, and jap elements of Australia.

They show their tropical origins with showy leaves in a wide range of patterns and textures, and a keenness for vibrant, oblique gentle and plenty of humidity, much like what they’d obtain within the understory of the rainforest.

The genus incorporates 97 acknowledged species, although most of these out there to informal indoor gardeners are sometimes called “jewel” varieties – compact crops that develop to a few toes tall in a house setting.

Alocasia is beloved by houseplant fans for its spectacular foliage – vibrant or darkish inexperienced leaves that may strategy a foot lengthy, with angular shapes and heavy veins of both inexperienced or white.

Some varieties have silvery foliage with deep inexperienced leaf edges and veins, and others characteristic variegated leaves.

An endearing a part of their development behavior is the best way the clumps of leaves develop vertically as an alternative of sending out horizontal runners, like many crops that originated within the tropics do.

When grown open air, these crops bloom within the spring sending up an inflorescence consisting of a central stalk generally known as a spadix surrounded by a spathe, much like that of a peace lily. They not often flower indoors, nonetheless.

Like pals you’ve had for many years, or your loved one canine, alocasia goes by many alternative nicknames, together with African masks, kris plant, and elephant ear.

It shares that final widespread identify with a lot of different ornamentals, together with members of the Colocasia and Xanthosoma genera.

Alocasia, Colocasia and Xanthosoma belong to the aroid or Araceae household, and have comparable development habits.

Xanthosoma can also be tropical, however it’s native to South and Central America.

Alocasias might be cultivated as outside perennials in USDA Hardiness Zones 8b to 11, and so they can attain six to 12 toes when grown in best situations in landscapes or gardens, relying on the species.

On this information, we’ll give attention to rising Alocasia elephant ears indoors, or as potted outside specimens that overwinter inside within the chilly months.

This genus gives drama in a potted plant.

Only a few of the probabilities embody A. infernalis aka “black magic,” with shimmery purple-black leaves; A. odorata var. variegata, with heart-shaped leaves flecked with totally different patterns; A. x amazonica, a hybrid with shiny, arrow-shaped leaves and intense veins; and A. sanderiana, aka the kris plant or Sander’s alocasia, that includes darkish inexperienced, shiny leaves with extensive white margins and leaf veins.

One which I lengthy so as to add to my assortment is A. macrorrhizos ‘Stingray,’ an enormous taro cultivar. It has striped or mottled markings on its upright stems and ribbed leaves that characteristic a tail on the ends that’s harking back to a stingray.

It grows three to 5 toes tall – no aquarium required, in contrast to its namesake.

A. zebrina additionally options stems with darkish inexperienced or brown stripes, and arrow-shaped leaves.

Rising any of those varieties could contain just a few extra cautions and further steps than you’re used to seeing once you search tips on rising houseplants which are easier to look after.

I do know this firsthand and may solely say – it’s value that further work!

Nurturing this tropical plant in my own residence has required me to arrange an space with extra constant gentle, and better humidity than my typical succulents require, for instance.

However my reward has been a dramatic kris plant to take pleasure in indoors. And it’s a stunner, with boisterous, outsized leaves and a tropical vibe you simply can’t get from a tiny pot containing a extra modest specimen.

If caring for this form of houseplant seems like a little bit of a stretch for you, welcome to the membership. Learn on for ideas that may make the method of rising and caring for elephant ears extra manageable.

Propagation

As a result of the leaves sprout from a central rhizome, you gained’t be capable of propagate Alocasia by rooting stem or leaf cuttings.

It’s potential to propagate the tiny corms that develop on the base of the rhizome, however I wouldn’t advocate this methodology.

It’s unreliable and tedious, taking many months and never essentially yielding any new crops.

From Divisions

Fortunately, there are solely a few steps concerned in propagating alocasia from divisions.

When you have a pal with a kris plant or an elephant ear of your individual that’s spreading by way of rhizomes, rising new specimens from divisions is the best way to go.

This chore is finest accomplished when the plant is popping out of its winter dormancy.

However in the event you can see roots rising from the drainage holes within the plant’s container, you’ll be able to go forward and repot, and seize any offshoots which have two or extra leaves on the identical time.

To separate offshoots, ease the complete plant from the pot with one hand, holding it over a tabletop lined with newspaper or an empty, clear sink.

Utilizing your free hand, tease out any offshoots which are already separate from the father or mother or that may be disentangled readily. Make sure to maintain the rhizome and roots intact with every clump.

For clumps which are entangled with the roots of the father or mother plant, use a pointy, clear paring knife to chop them away from the principle rhizome. Be certain to maintain the roots of every clump related to the crown.

Plan to pot the severed or separated offshoots instantly. Learn on for extra particular instructions.

Transplanting

Earlier than you buy a plant from a neighborhood nursery or retailer, ensure to choose up one which has a wholesome shade.

Keep away from any which have discolored leaves, which might point out a pest drawback or that it’s been rising in substandard situations.

Whereas it’s a pure a part of growing old for Alocasia to drop just a few leaves annually, a lot of dry, predominantly brown stems or foliage are positive indicators of a plant that’s on its approach out.

Additionally, test the drainage holes on the backside of the pot to verify the roots don’t have an off scent. In the event that they’re slimy and brown or scent a bit like a full diaper, go on that one. It could have already got a case of root rot, which is deadly.

Should you’ve bought an alocasia on-line, be sure you schedule the supply for a time once you’re at residence so you’ll be able to instantly unpack the specimen and get it into a really perfect setting.

Most on-line suppliers will embody instructions for caring for the plant upon arrival, together with whether or not it ought to instantly be repotted or given water or not.

This course of will fluctuate a bit relying on how the grower packs the alocasia and the way lengthy it takes to succeed in you.

A wholesome specimen can often keep in its grower’s pot for just a few months. Alocasia is content material in cosy quarters.

Should you discover a number of offshoots or the soil is drying out rapidly, it could be time to put the bought plant in a brand new pot.

Whether or not you’re potting up offshoots you’ve separated your self or transplanting or repotting a bought specimen, the strategy is basically the identical.

Make sure to select a fast-draining soilless combine formulated for indoor crops.

One sensible choice is Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Combine, which is out there from Residence Depot in 16-quart baggage.

Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Combine

For extra specifics on choosing the proper soil for houseplants, see our information.

You’ll additionally want a pot with drainage holes and a saucer to catch extra water because it drains out. The container ought to be about two inches wider on all sides than the transplant.

Fill the container a few third of the best way with the combination, then place the transplant in place.

Some settling once you water is regular, so you might wish to moisten the soil gently with tepid water at this level and let it drain earlier than you add your plant, so will probably be simpler to place it on the proper top.

Fill in with extra soilless combine to inside about an inch of the rim so the crown of the plant sits about an inch above the soil floor, and gently tamp it down along with your fingers.

Place in a heat space that receives vibrant, oblique gentle with ample humidity, identical to a mature specimen requires.

The way to Develop

It actually pays to anticipate the wants of Alocasia forward of time, earlier than investing in considered one of your individual.

Should you can meet its calls for, you’ll have a gorgeous tropical specimen to sit up for. First, think about the next:

Temperature

Alocasia species develop finest at temperatures of at the very least 60°F and can undergo and begin dropping leaves when the temperature is decrease than 50°F.

In the event that they’re uncovered to greater than a day or two of temperatures beneath 50°F, they could out and out die on you.

Gentle

Elephant ears want at the very least 4 hours per day of vibrant gentle, however direct daylight ought to be prevented. Intense, direct gentle can result in leaf scorch and drooping.

If your property doesn’t provide sufficient oblique pure gentle, you might wish to think about using develop lights for at the very least a part of the day.

Humidity

This tropical magnificence would actually recognize 50 p.c humidity in its rising setting, which might be robust to realize in a typical family.

To develop one at residence, you might have to make use of frequent misting, add a shallow tray of water and pebbles beneath the pot, and even use an electrical humidifier.

Watering

Whereas they will’t tolerate moist toes or standing water, elephant ears do want persistently moist soil. Water when the floor feels dry to the contact, however ensure it doesn’t get waterlogged.

The soil ought to be barely moist always, not oversaturated.

Airflow

Be certain containers are positioned six inches aside and away from partitions for ample air circulation that inhibits illness and promotes wholesome development.

Keep away from places the place they’ll be hit by chilly drafts, or windy spots exterior. They’ll languish on a cold windowsill or close to a drafty hearth.

Rising Suggestions

• Develop in fast-draining soil in containers with drainage holes.
• Select a spot the place they’ll get ample vibrant gentle however the place direct daylight gained’t harm the leaves.
• Keep humidity ranges of at the very least 50 p.c.
• Cut back watering within the fall and winter when crops are dormant.

Upkeep

You possibly can chill out a bit as soon as your alocasia is established in a hospitable rising setting, however you’ll have to sustain the great work with just a few upkeep chores, notably in the event you’ve opted to convey your potted crops open air for the summer time.

Take note of climate traits and diligently transfer your crops again inside forward of cool temperatures that may hurt them.

It’s finest to be proactive, and transfer them as quickly as temperatures dip beneath 60°F. Whereas they’ll most likely reside via a number of weeks of temperatures within the mid-50s, it’s most likely not well worth the danger.

Should you observe climate patterns all year long in your space, make a remark in your gardening journal so that you’ll have an concept of when to convey these infants again indoors. As the standard change within the climate approaches, begin checking the each day forecast.

Planning forward additionally offers you time to test for indicators of pests or illness earlier than bringing crops again in.

After crops have spent the chilly months indoors, ensure to present them just a few days of gradual publicity to the outside when it’s time to maneuver them again exterior once more.

They are often shocked by an abrupt transition from heat and synthetic gentle to decrease temperatures and stronger gentle exterior the home.

As for different upkeep chores, you gained’t often have to prune alocasia, however you need to go forward and clip off any useless or dry leaves once you see them.

After they’re a few years outdated, these crops will want repotting, however don’t rush it. Alocasia likes to be a bit cosy in its pot. 

When it’s time, you might be aware that roots are rising out of the drainage holes or that the soil not absorbs water as readily.

Make sure to solely transfer to a pot that’s a dimension bigger than the earlier one, about an inch or two wider on all sides.

And be sure you gently knock unfastened the outdated potting combine from the roots through the transition. Alocasia appreciates a soil refresh each two to a few years.

Species and Cultivars to Choose

Many of the varieties you come throughout at native retailers or on-line can be jewel varieties, which means that they’re smaller and extremely appropriate for rising indoors, both year-round or within the chilly months in Zones 4 to 8a.

Listed below are just a few to get you began:

Black Velvet

A. reginula, lives as much as its widespread identify “black velvet” with green-black, distinctly veined leaves which have a velvety texture.

As an added bonus, they sport purple undersides in the event you care to take a peek.

Black Velvet

Acceptable for small areas, A. reginula reaches one or two toes tall and spreads about two toes extensive.

Crops can be found in six-inch pots from Quick Rising Bushes.

Kris

A. sanderiana, aka the kris plant, has arrow-shaped leaves which are deeply lobed on the edges. The shiny, darkish inexperienced foliage has white veins, and may develop as much as 15 inches lengthy.

Kris Plant

Within the panorama, the kris plant can attain as much as six toes tall, however indoors, it’s unlikely to achieve this dimension, staying extra within the two- to four-foot vary.

You will discover kris crops in four-inch pots out there from Walmart.

Polly

Also referred to as A. x amazonica, Polly is a hybrid. Its shiny, dark-green leaves can develop greater than a foot lengthy. These have angular edges with extensive, white veins.

Its max top indoors is mostly a few foot, and it’ll unfold 5 or 6 inches, making it a becoming possibility for small areas like an workplace or visitor toilet the place you may not have sufficient room for bigger tropicals.

Polly

5-inch specimens in both wooden or jute pots are out there from Quick Rising Bushes.

Zebrina

Extra of a panorama plant that may be grown as a perennial in Zones 9 to 11, A. zebrina aka the zebra plant, may also be cultivated as a large tropical houseplant.

With deep inexperienced leaves within the form of arrowheads, its stems are patterned like a zebra’s coat, although the colours are gentle rust and inexperienced fairly than black and white.

Alocasia Zebrina

Whereas these could attain a top of 5 to 10 toes when grown within the panorama, they’ll usually max out at three or 4 toes tall indoors.

You will discover A. zebrina out there in 10-inch growers pots from Nationwide Plant Community by way of Residence Depot.

Managing Pests and Illness

Too little humidity, too little gentle, and temperatures which are too chilly are probably the most threatening foes for tropical alocasia.

These crops don’t usually face issues with pests or illness, however there are just a few to look at for and stop when potential.

Notably in case your alocasia spends the nice and cozy months open air, you might encounter mealybugs, scale, or spider mites after they come again inside.

Make sure to test totally and deal with any infestations earlier than bringing them indoors to forestall spreading pests to your different houseplants.

Waterlogged soil or poor air circulation result in many of the famous illness bother for all Alocasia species. Get rid of these situations, and also you’ll most likely have little to fret about.

The almost definitely points are powdery mildew, which seems like a high quality dusting of flour on the foliage, or root rot.

Powdery mildew is extra simply managed. It could succumb to a fast wipe or spray, or an utility of neem oil. You possibly can be taught extra about stopping, detecting, and treating this subject in our information.

Root rot is extra lethal. Should you discover foul-smelling or slimy brown roots, it could already be too late to rescue the plant, and crops with this situation ought to be disposed of.

Planting in fast-draining soil, by no means letting them sit in standing water, offering ample airflow, and striving to not overwater your crops are your finest choices for profitable prevention of fungal ailments.

Greatest Makes use of

Typically, an alocasia plant will usher a tropical vibe into your family.

Extra particularly, it’s best to anchor a nook of a brightly-lit small house, whether or not that’s a house workplace with a window or the grasp bathtub with a skylight.

Whereas I wouldn’t develop it in a dish backyard, because it will get so huge, it’s appropriate as an upright point of interest for a set of potted crops.

Shorter indoor blooming crops like flaming Katy or African violets can act as companions, or you’ll be able to proceed the tropical vibe by putting alocasia subsequent to croton within the residence setting.

I discover alocasias additionally provide a welcome change for the kind of black thumb gardeners who are inclined to kill houseplants by overwatering.

Should you prefer to tinker round and water usually, alocasia will reply effectively to frequent splashes of water that may maintain the soil calmly moist.

Thoughts you, it’s nonetheless potential to swamp your alocasia buddies, however they’re a high quality selection for the indoor gardener who likes to maintain the water coming.

Fast Reference Rising Information

Plant Kind:	Herbaceous perennial	Foliage Coloration:	Gentle/darkish inexperienced with variegation
Native to:	Southeast Asia, southern China, jap Australia	Upkeep:	Reasonable
Hardiness (USDA Zone):	8b-12	Tolerance:	Shade
Bloom Time:	Spring and summer time (open air), not often indoors	Soil Kind:	Soilless potting combine (containers)
Publicity:	Vibrant, oblique gentle	Soil pH:	5.5-6.5
Time to Maturity:	2-5 years	Soil Drainage:	Properly-draining
Planting Depth:	Crown at soil floor	Makes use of:	Focus; houseplant for humid areas (kitchen/toilet); anchor for tropical plant assortment
Top:	2-12 toes (open air), 1-6 toes (indoors), relying on species	Order:	Alismatales
Unfold:	2-10 toes (open air), 1-4 toes (indoors), relying on species	Household:	Araceae
Water Wants:	Reasonable	Genus:	Alocasia
Widespread Pests and Illnesses:	Aphids, leafminers, scale, spider mites; crown rot, leaf spot, powdery mildew, stem rot, root rot	Species:	x Amazonica, baginda, cucullata, cuprea, infernalis, heterophylla, longiloba, macrorhhizos, maharani, micholitziana, odora, portei, rugosa, sanderiana, sinuata, zebrina

Have You Come Throughout a Kris Plant?

I’ll all the time think about elephant ears a welcome improve to my indoor backyard house.

I’d by no means advocate them as a candidate for My First Houseplant or as an answer for somebody making an attempt to beat a “black thumb” repute.

However for somebody who’s able to perform a little extra, who has already succeeded with a much less needy plant, alocasia might present that modest step up you’re on the lookout for.

And in the event you’re aware of its handful of non-negotiable necessities, it would create a vibrant, topical attract.

Are you already a fan with expertise to share? Do you continue to have questions? Kindly add your enter by way of the feedback part beneath.

For info on different dramatic houseplants you may wish to develop, try these guides subsequent: