April 12th, 2021

Hey plant friends!

This week we are talking about Alocasia. This plant belongs to the Araceae family. Alocasias are native to tropical and subtropical Asia to Eastern Australia. There are also many different cultivars and hybrids out there. This plant is known for its huge leaves, some spanning up to 10 feet. Conversely, some hybrids have tiny leaves that are only an inch long. Alocasia are commonly seen grown outdoors as standout plants in container gardens, but with the right light, they can double as a houseplant. We will go over indoor and outdoor care today!

Light requirements for Alocasia range from shade to full sunlight depending on the variety. If you know the specific type of Alocasia you can hone in on the adequate amount of light. Always allow for bright indirect light indoors as these are tropical plants. Indoor light quality is much different than outdoor light, even in the shade. Shade or morning sun works great for Alocasia outdoors. However, varieties with larger leaves, thicker leaves, and darker leaves do tolerate full sun once they are tempered.

Plant in a well-draining potting soil both indoors and out. These are water loving plants that do not like to dry out especially if they are sitting outdoors in the summer heat. Keep the soil moist but never soggy. Indoor, check weekly for water and water once the top 1-2” are dry. Keep your Alocasia happy by fertilizing during the growing season. Use a basic fertilizer like the Schultz All-Purpose plant food indoors and Miracle Grow outdoors. Some common pests to be on the lookout for are mealy bugs, aphids, spider mites, and echinothrips. Check your plant weekly while watering to prevent a breakout and wipe leaves often to rid the leaves of any sneaky pests.

We currently carry several varieties of Alocasia at the greenhouse in many different shapes and sizes. If you have any further questions feel free to reach out to us by phone, Instagram, or email us at hello@tonkadale.com.

Happy planting!