Alokasia – facts and care advice

If you are looking for a tropical and trendy element in your home, you should definitely consider giving Alokasia a place. Choose from many species, all with large and decorative leaves.You can easily create a rainforest feeling in the room by placing a larger Alokasia  together with other green plants of different sizes. Your Alokasia is guaranteed to attract attention, with its spectacular leaves. There is only one drawback: Alokasia can be poisonous (giftinformation.se), so keep the plant out of the reach of small children and animals that risk chewing the leaves.

Care advice

Where does Alokasia thrive best? 

A bright room with a warm and good temperature is the most important thing for your Alokasia to thrive. Please give it plenty of space so that the leaves have room to stretch out. 

Light 

Lots of light is good, but not too much direct sunlight. The plant can be placed in a south-facing window in autumn and winter. During the summer months, it is good to avoid the most intense sunshine, then a window to the north or east is better suited.  

Temperature

A normal indoor temperature is ideal. Alokasia does not like drafts and temperatures below 15 degrees, then the leaves lighten. When it gets too cold, the plant shows it by closing its leaves.  

Humidity

Alokasia is a tropical plant that thrives in high humidity. Spray the leaves with water often and place your plant far from the fireplace or heat pump, where the air is often dry.  

How should Alokasia be watered? 

Alokasia thrives best in evenly moist soil. Allow the plant to dry up slightly between waterings. Feel free to lift the pot to find out if it is light or heavy. It gives you a better indication of whether it’s time to water than if you feel the soil with your fingers.  

Wipe the blades with a damp cloth if they become dusty. As previously mentioned, it is also good to spray the leaves with water.  

How should Alokasia be fertilised? 

Alokasia grows all year round, but does not need more fertiliser than other houseplants. It is sufficient to give it a little liquid, short-term nutrition once a month during the summer months.  

Replant  

Lift the plant out of its pot to see if it needs reporting. If there are visible roots around the soil, it is time to transplant into a larger pot. Change to a pot that is 2-3 cm larger in diameter, so that the plant has room to grow in new soil.  

Take shots from Alokasia 

Alokasia can be divided, so you get more plants. Take the plant out of its pot, and find a side shoot with roots. Carefully separate the shoot from the mother plant so that you get the roots. Plant the shoot in a pot with some new soil, and voila you have a new little plant.  

Common plant problems 

Alokasia lets its leaves show how it is doing. Brown leaves are signs of overwatering or frost damage. If the leaves are both light and brown, it may have been sunburned. If all the leaves fall together, your plant has gone into hibernation. Then you can water it less than usual, until it seems to be perky again.  

Most plants can be affected by pests. The most common vermin at Alokasia are lice, spider mites and thrips. 

Different types of Alokasia 

  • There are over 70 different species of Alokasia. The leaves range in color from neon green to almost black, some are even purple on the back. The shape of the leaves also varies, from narrow and pointed like spearheads to wide and round like hearts. Here are some of our most loved varieties: 
  • Alocasia ‘Amazonica’, also called Amazon shield, is one of the most common species – it is a deep green plant with eye-catching leaves, clear leaf patterns and long stems. 
  • Also called Zebra Shield , Alocasia ‘Zebrina’ is another common species – a green plant with stylish, heart-shaped leaves on long zebra-patterned stems.  
  • Alocasia ‘Stingray’ is an elegant plant, where the leaves curve inwards with a small point at the end. The appearance is somewhat reminiscent of a stingray, hence the name Stingray. 
  • Alocasia ‘Black Velvet’ is a beautiful dark green plant. With its almost black, velvety foliage, it creates a beautiful contrast to classic green plants.  
  • Alocasia ‘Dragon Scale’ is both mysterious and exotic. With its large, emerald green leaves that look like the shields of a dragon, it easily catches the eye.  

Facts about Alokasia 

  • Alokasia is originally from Southeast Asia and is especially common on Borneo, the world’s third largest island.
  • In the wild, an Alokasia can grow up to four meters tall.  
  • Alokasia is known as «the tree that grows up to the sky», and is the plant depicted in almost every western and eastern version of the fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk. The beanstalk symbolizes seizing opportunities when they come, even if it may involve some risk.