GreenlyHow to grow Alocasia
Alocasia × mortfontanensis · Alocasia amazonica, Elephant ear, African mask
Tropical foliage plant with large, glossy, arrow- or shield-shaped leaves with prominent, often silvery veins. Fast-growing in a warm summer, it rests in winter and may lose some leaves then.
Quick facts
| Type | Houseplant |
|---|---|
| Family | Araceae |
| Light | Partial shade |
| Frost | does not tolerate frost |
| Soil for sowing | from 16 °C |
| Where it grows | At home |
When to plant
Sow straight into the bed after your last spring frost, once the soil has warmed.
Care
At home
| Stage | Watering | Temperature | Feeding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth | every 6 days | 16…30 °C | balanced (NPK), 44 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 74 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 104 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 134 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 164 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 194 days into the stage |
| Winter rest | every 14 days | 10…22 °C | — |
Growing notes
Light
Bright, indirect light; strong sun scorches the leaves, and in low light it grows much more slowly.
Soil
Peat-free houseplant compost, or multi-purpose compost with about one part grit to three parts compost for drainage. Moist but well drained; repot into a pot only about 5 cm wider.
Care
From April to October water once the top 5 cm of compost are dry, and keep it above 16 °C with medium to high humidity, for example on a tray of wet gravel. Feed with a general liquid fertiliser from April to October, following the label. In winter keep it cooler, but above 10 °C, and water only a little; too much water, especially then, rots the roots. Repot every couple of years in spring. All parts are toxic (calcium oxalate crystals) to people, cats and dogs, and the sap irritates skin, so wear gloves.
Pests and diseases of Alocasia
Sources
Figures checked against these sources.