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Want to buy a stunning Alocasia plant but not sure how to care for it? Don’t worry - it’s not rocket science! We want to make sure you support your Alocasia plants to live their best lives, so we have compiled this list of top essential tips for the best Alocasia plant care.
Alocasia plants are gorgeous tropical plants with leaves shaped like arrowheads or hearts. The leaves are beautifully textured and often have elegant wavy edges. Because they’re tropical plants from Asia and Eastern Australia, they like warmth and moisture. There are around 80 species of Alocasia plants, and some of them have leaves that can grow up to 3 feet long!
Read on for the best Alocasia plant care tips and you’ll have the most vibrant plants on the block.
Alocasia Plant Care: The Basics
There are many different species of this wonderful plant family so Alocasia plant care may vary slightly from one to another. But luckily, there are some basic rules to follow that will help keep your Alocasia plants at their best. So we’re sharing with you the basic essentials of Alocasia plant care.
Light
Alocasia plants can handle a range of different light levels, but it should always be indirect light. They love a lot of indirect sunlight. The amount of light your Alocasia plant gets will also dictate how fast it grows. If you want it to grow quickly and produce large leaves, place it somewhere brighter. Lower light levels won’t necessarily kill your Alocasia plant, but it will definitely grow slower. More light tends to lead to a better leaf colour too.
It can be a nice treat for your Alocasia plant to move it outdoors in summer. However, if you do this, make sure you place it somewhere with partial shade otherwise the heat of the sun may burn its leaves. This is because the Alocasia plant’s natural habitat is on the forest floor, beneath a tree canopy. Rule number one with Alocasia plant care is lots of light, but indirect!
Temperature
Another important factor in Alocasia plant care is temperature. Typical room temperatures between 18 and 22℃ are ideal. Make sure not to place the Alocasia plant near a drafty window or exterior door, as the changeable temperature can potentially damage it. Likewise, do not place your Alocasia plant directly beside or underneath a heater. This is vital for Alocasia plant care.
Humidity
Being from tropical climates, Alocasia plants LOVE humidity! If possible, place your Alocasia plant somewhere with high humidity. If you don’t have anywhere humid enough, you could always use a humidifier to help keep your Alocasia plant happy. A bathroom can also be a great place for an Alocasia plant for this reason. Another great Alocasia plant care tip is to make a pebble tray with water for it to sit on. This will increase the humidity around the plant.
Water
Alocasia plants like to partially dry out in between waterings. They like to be moist but they don’t like to be soggy, so give them a watering when the top 5 cm of the soil is dry to touch. Alocasia plants require less water in the winter months when they are not actively growing.
Misting will help your Alocasia’s leaves stay shiny and dust-free. You can mist the leaves of your Alocasia regularly with a mister bottle, but make sure you only mist lightly as water can gather on the leaves and drag them downwards. It’s important your plant’s soil doesn’t get soggy as this is when fungal infections can occur.
Soil
Choose loose and nutrient-rich potting soil that will retain moisture whilst also allowing excess water to drain out. Make sure the soil contains plenty of organic matter (such as peat moss or shredded leaves) and avoid those that contain moisture retaining crystals.
Fertiliser
Regularly fertilising your Alocasia plant will help it grow new leaves. We recommend fertilising them from Spring through to Autumn. Fertilise your Alocasia plants once or twice a month and use an organic houseplant fertiliser.
Top Alocasia Plant Care Tips
And now for a few pro tips that you might need in addition to the basics of Alocasia plant care!
- After you water your Alocasia plant, turn its pot a quarter turn. Do this every time you give it a watering, to make sure your Alocasia plant gets even light and doesn’t grow towards the light source. This will help prevent it from becoming top-heavy.
- When your Alocasia plant has outgrown its pot, select one that is around 3-5cm larger than the current one. Alternatively, if it’s too big and you’re short of space, you can separate the roots and divide them into multiple plant pots. Then you’ll have a whole plant family to extend your Alocasia plant care to, and your house will look extra lush!
- If your Alocasia plant doesn’t have sufficient drainage, it can become susceptible to root rot. To avoid this, pot your Alocasia plant in a vessel with a drainage hole.
Frequently Asked Questions
No matter how attentive our Alocasia plant care is, some extra care might be required at certain times. Let's look at a few of the most common issues that arise with Alocasia plants.
Why are my Alocasia leaves drooping?
If your Alocasia plant’s leaves start to droop, this could be down to over or under watering, insufficient light, pests, or a lack of nutrients in the soil. Review your Alocasia plant care routine, referring to the guidelines above to ensure you are providing the best Alocasia plant care possible.
How do I get rid of Spider Mites on my Alocasia Plant?
Don’t worry - you wouldn’t be the first! Even if you follow the best Alocasia plant care tips, your plant baby might still fall prey to spider mites. It’s incredibly common, and nothing to panic about. Isolate your Alocasia plant from the rest of your plant collection. Gently rinse its leaves and stems with soapy water, then carefully wipe on a little Neem oil.
When you return your Alocasia to its original spot, try to increase the humidity. This is because spider mites thrive in dry environments. A humidifier, pebble tray, or regular light misting can help prevent another spider mite infestation. With the right Alocasia plant care, you’ll keep those nasty mites at bay!
Why has my Alocasia Plant lost all of its leaves?
Believe it or not, there’s still hope for a leafless Alocasia plant! These tough plants are capable of bouncing back thanks to the energy they store in their thick tubers. To give it a helping hand, try placing it outdoors, in a shaded area, during spring or summer.
Follow the Alocasia plant care tips above to avoid your Alocasia plants losing their leaves in the future. And when a leaf shrivels or dies, simply trim it off and let new leaves come through.
Why does my Alocasia Plant have spots on its leaves?
Spots on the leaves of your Alocasia plant are easy to address. Sometimes salts, minerals, and chlorine in water can lead to spots. Before watering your Alocasia plant with tap water, let the water sit first for around 24 hours in a bucket or watering can. This gives time for some of the compounds that can cause harm to evaporate. Spots may also be caused by overwatering your Alocasia plant, so you could also try reducing the quantity of water you are giving it.
Alocasia Plant Care: The Bottom Line
So, to summarise: it’s important that this tropical plant gets the light and moisture it needs, but it can withstand a lot before it gives up on life! The Alocasia plant thrives in very humid environments, so the more humidity you can offer your Alocasia plant, the better. If yours is struggling a bit, try placing it in the bathroom for a while or buy it a humidifier for Christmas!
If you follow the Alocasia plant care tips above and repot and divide when needed, you can keep your Alocasia plants alive for many decades. Your Alocasia plants will be a part of the family in no time.
