Alocasia Zebrina Complete Care Guide, Repotting and Common Problems

[@PlantBasics]

Hello everyone, I hope that you enjoy this video as Alocasia Zebrina is one of my favourate houseplants. Corbin

[@josephrapp]

As I just received one, I was searching for info. You have provided the best! All I needed to know for success. I will not transplant as pot is correct size and to avoid shock from new environment. Thank you for this.I have subscribed and hope you still do videos in 2022.

[@PlantBasics]

I am so glad I could help! Corbin

[@Charlie-sx7dk]

I got a zebrina from my grandpa’s garden and he’s propagated a lot of these! Hopefully mine can grow as well 🤞🏽

[@PlantBasics]

I hope so too :)

[@HGGLP]

Good explain...keep it up....thank you for sharing...

[@YamHeamEducaMixTv25]

thanks for this information. i just got my on this morning. and im so curious about this plant that's why i arrived here.

[@PlantBasics]

I'm so happy my video could help :)

[@jeanneleanne8822]

Thanks for your great advice! It gives lots of insight knowing how to take care of my Zebrina!

[@PlantBasics]

Hello, I'm so glad I could help :) Corbin

[@aviabad]

Absolutely Stunning. ❤❤❤❤🌱❤️🌱❤️ Never thought about this plant specifically. Until I watched your video. Which is informative. SUBSCRIBED

[@michaelwang5955]

Nice video, good tips. I have a young zebrina reticulata and love the way this alocasia looks. Hope it will grow big and healthy like yours.

[@PlantBasics]

Thank you :) I'm sure that it will! Corbin

[@Plant_Mama]

Such a beautiful plant!

[@PlantBasics]

Thank you :)

[@theicebooky]

Thanks for a great video! I love how you answer your comment section... thanks again :)

[@PlantBasics]

Thank you :)

[@bendietrees]

I just received a tiny zebrina as a gift from my boyfriend a few weeks ago. It was doing well until our cat got near it and somehow bent it and I got scared it was drooping so I watered it and then the leaves started turning yellow along the edges and one died. I read it is to too much watering..I'm here to refresh the soil requirements and repot it in hopes it will help 😭

[@jackiebernardo1]

I planted mine in a self watering pot, it doesn't seem to like it. I only have one leaf that looks yellow and spotty. 😢 I hope it doesn't die

[@blaiseducdaumont1280]

Hello, you listed four ingredients in your potting mix. I could not make out the first one you pronounced? 2.) orchid bark, 3.) perlite and 4.) a well draining potting soil.

[@PlantBasics]

Hello, I think it was Coco Coir also known as coco peat :)

[@blaiseducdaumont1280]

@@PlantBasics Thank you!

[@XxQueenOfHeartzxX]

Spag moss aswell

[@ClareHayman]

Help mime is all floppy and brown amd yellow leaves what do I do?

[@FancyGirl2906]

Whenever my zebrina is growing a new leaf, an old leaf is dying... is it common for alocasias?

[@PlantBasics]

Yes, it is, mine does exactly the same :)

[@ZeleniMrav]

Mine have also been like that, I had only two leafs, though it will die...now it have five beautiful leaves, I think misting is a key, with distilled/demineralised water, rain basically.

[@ryanisstuckin93]

Mine always ends up growing a bit leggy/out to the sides. I know it's because of the way my lighting is but there is nothing i can do about it. They just look so much nicer when they grow straight up.

[@PlantBasics]

To grow in that way, they need light from above, may I suggest an artificial light?

[@ryanisstuckin93]

@PlantBasics I've started to put it somewhere where it gets stronger indirect light and has to grow up towards it during the day. Then I put it back where it normally goes at night. A grow light isn't an option for me for various reasons. Mostly because I want my plants to be decorative, not a project. Only my flytraps are my "project" plants. I'm slowly fixing the leggy growth. It's still a young plant so new leaves replace old ones. I cut off a leaf it was dropping last night and it has a new one just split off. I grow my venus flytraps very successfully and my Alocasia is FAR more fussy and difficult to grow right in comparison. I have a South facing home that's drenched in direct light so I get all kinds of lighting options. The mistake I made with my Zebrina was putting it in the middle of the room in a shaded spot so it reached out towards the windows. The last leaf it grew has stayed facing upwards so I'm hoping I solved the issue. We will see. I had no idea what I was buying when I saw it. I just wanted some plants for my new flat and it looked nice. It's now become an expensive hobby requiring special soil/medium etc. I will not kill this plant! Sorry, that was a really long ass reply!

[@jonasmolvig3052]

should i have it sitting in water since i read that i increases humidity and its overall hapiness?

[@PlantBasics]

Hello, no because that would lead to root rot. You can spray the leaves or put it on a tray of pebbles without the water in the tray touching the pot :) Corbin

[@lemonifunk3090]

Hello! I found this video really helpful, but I couldn't find an answer to my problem. I have an alocasia zebrina for almost 6 months and it's constantly wilting and not sitting up straight, like yours for example. I am trying to support the stems with a wooden stick, but recently I noticed that 2 leafs turned yellow and got severely weak. Ichopped the one off and now I don't know what else to do..

[@PlantBasics]

I'm so sorry to hear about your Zebrina issues :( are you sure it's not perhaps root rot?

[@sarah.5174]

Hi! I felt like i should comment and maybe it helps. I own about 15 different alocasias and one that i can say is most similar to zebrina is alocasia Sarian and what I’ve noticed (actually with all my alocasias) is that the bottom leaf will start dying off when the plant needs more strength for new leaves to unfurl. So i usually just chop it off, put in into a vase and have it for decoration for the next x-amount of weeks. Its cute because it goes from green to yellowish, sometimes even turns purple on the wentii. By chopping it off you make sure the plant isnt wasting any energy in the dying leaf. But I’ve read it’s normal for alocasia to do that - especially when the days get shorter and colder weather arrives. Hope you’ve figured yours out and you’re having a blast taking care of it! Best regards

[@florance17]

What you describe sounds to me like the plant might be in a rather weak overall state. Be sure to use nutrient-rich but chunky, well-draining potting mix and provide bright indirect light, as these are the necessary growing conditions for alocasias. Bonus tip: I heard that you should fertilize alocasias whenever you see new growth forming so that the plant won't be so inclined to drop the oldest leaf for energy reasons. I have put this advice to use for a few weeks and so far, none of my alocasias have dropped any older leaves. It's worth a try! :)

[@filippa1434]

how can you you tell, when to repot the Alocasia Zebrina in a bigger pot? Because mine is growing beautifully, but the gap between the stem and the wall of the pot is maybe 4cm. Is it time to give it a bigger pot?

[@PlantBasics]

Hey I would yes, just be careful not to disturb the roots :)

[@filippa1434]

@@PlantBasics Thank you for your advice ^^

[@adrianpoe4416]

I have a BEAUTIFUL very tall Zebrina. It’s to die for but only will keep 4 leaves. It doesn’t seem to want to send offshoots or fill out. I’d like to see more leaves. Any suggestions?

[@PlantBasics]

Hello, so sorry for the late reply. Mine does exactly the same it cant keep more than 4 leaves at a time.

[@adrianpoe4416]

@@PlantBasics Hey again! Sooo I moved into a house and had to put it under grow lights. The leaves are now totally vertical. Very odd. It’s getting over 1500 foot candles of light - before was 2500 in apartment. It “seems” it’s growing towards the lights BUT the leaves being totally vertical maybe too much light? My brain says that it’s reaching for the light but the other part of my brain says it’s going vertical to limit the amount of light that hits its leaf and it’s too much? Any thoughts?

[@adrianpoe4416]

Oh and it’s got 5 leaves now and did finally pop a baby off the side!

[@1010Tpearsall]

@@adrianpoe4416 how's it doing now?? Just got 2 zebrinas.

[@adrianpoe4416]

@@1010Tpearsall it went ballistic lol. About 5 foot and has three new plants at about 1-2 foot in same pot now. I will say it flowered for Seven months!!! Since then the original plant has not be doing well, maybe at end of life idk. It put out 5 or so smaller leaves (still at about 14 inches - was 20” leaves) and now it’s flowering again. So weird! Main plant still won’t hold more than 6 leaves ever.

[@user-ss8zy3mp1o]

my alocasia zebrina has 5 large leaves i see yellow pigment appearing on them is this normal

[@PlantBasics]

Is the soil moist ? How is you plant doing now ?

[@standardname69]

Is the potting media you use made up of equal parts of everything you mention?

[@PlantBasics]

Yes it is :) But I like to use just a little bit more bark for aeration.

[@shannoncarr7338]

if im not great with alocasias should i get this

[@PlantBasics]

Yes! I think you definitely should!

[@carolinamargaretha8648]

Thanks for your advice on how to care for alocasias! I’m having a problem with my Alocasia Reginae. It’s been doing fine since i bought it a few weeks ago, but when a new leaf comes out, the old ones start to turn brown on the tip of the leaf. Is it normal? Or can it be something else?

[@PlantBasics]

Hello perhaps try to increase the humidity and see if that makes a difference, what feed do you use on your plants?

[@carolinamargaretha8648]

@@PlantBasics I’m currently using a slow-release type of fertilizer. Should i change my fertilizer? And what method would you recommend to increase humidity?

[@PlantBasics]

@@carolinamargaretha8648 Slow release is perfectly fine. Well, the best way is to use a humidifier, but you can spray your plant with water to increase humidity as well :)

[@MaCodray]

Thank you - a very useful video. Can you please tell me the ratio of hydrogen peroxide to water in order to add oxygen? I have a tropical fish tank and use liquid carbon fertiliser for the plants in the tank on a daily basis; would this fertiliser benefit te alocasia, do you think?

[@PlantBasics]

Hello, I'm so glad you found it useful :) I use 1 part Hydrogen Peroxide to 10 parts water. I'm not exactly sure, I would imagine it would not help really since your Alocasia gets CO2 from the air around it, I would rather apply liquid fertilisers like kelp to the leaves about twice a month in the growing season :) - I hope this helped.

[@MaCodray]

@@PlantBasics thank you for such a quick response and for the helpful comments. Yes, of course, thinking about it, the carbon question was pretty stupid! Thank you for not laughing too loudly! The kelp suggestion is also useful - very many thanks.

[@PlantBasics]

@@MaCodray Such a pleasure so glad I could help :) There's no such thing as a stupid question :) Corbin

[@emilyjones1265]

Hello! I don’t know if you can help I have an alocasia and one leaf is incredibly droopy and top heavy but the other two look healthy and straight up! Would you cut this one dropping leaf off ?

[@baffledme]

this is exactly my question too!

[@emilyjones1265]

I’m so glad it’s not just me! The leaf doesn’t look dead it’s just so droopy!!

[@PlantBasics]

Hey is it a new leaf? or an older one?

[@PlantBasics]

@@baffledme Is your leaf a new one or an older one.

[@PlantBasics]

@@emilyjones1265 is your droopy leaf a new leaf or is it an older leaf?

[@suzi-c]

I recently bought one online, its about 4ft tall, I received it in a terrible state and got a refund, anyway it has brown spots and some leaves have really drooped, im a total newbie, I have 2 leaves dying but 2 new have came through, ive read here its normal, the leaves were weaping and learned over watering, it the brown spot etc a disease...HELP 🤣

[@PlantBasics]

Hello, so sorry to hear about your plant! well if it is producing new leaves that seems to be a positive sign! I would cut off the older floppy leaves and reduce watering. Corbin

[@GalloMariana]

Do you think Alocasia prefers a small pot or a big pot? Mine is smaller than yours and is in a pot bigger than yours (the one you repotted)!

[@GalloMariana]

What do you think I should do?

[@PlantBasics]

Hello, it really depends on your personal preferences in a bigger pot you'll have to check your watering because the media can retain more moisture than the plant will actually be using - which over time could cause root rot. That's why I always try not to go up too drastically in pot size - but I'm conscious of the fact that sometimes you don't have another pot or your plant came over potted. So just watch your watering, make sure your plant is in bright indirect light so that it uses as much of the water in the pot as possible - I hope this helps?

[@GalloMariana]

@@PlantBasics thank you 😊

[@amygold1833]

Can i keep my zebrina indoor ?

[@PlantBasics]

Yes of course, mine is indoors :)

[@GalloMariana]

How often do you watering zebrina? Thanks

[@PlantBasics]

Hello, at the moment my plant is quite potbound so about once a week. Do a finger test on your plant to see if it needs water, if the first few inches are dry you know that your plant needs water. Corbin

[@GalloMariana]

@@PlantBasics thank you!!

[@PlantBasics]

@@GalloMarianaHappy to help :)

[@jungle7478]

Nice alacasia zibrina sumatra if you wan

[@nursebecky5209]

Where can I purchase an Alocasia zebrina??

[@PlantBasics]

Would depend on your country of residence :)

[@nursebecky5209]

I’m in the states.

[@TheDiscoDiv]

@@nursebecky5209 how could he possibly have any idea where you can buy this plant?

[@joeybooker5182]

What advice do you have on pest control? You have it in your video but don’t actually talk about how to combat it

[@PlantBasics]

Hello, so my pest control regime has always been centered around plant hygiene and cleanliness with chemicals being a last resort. So with Alocasias Spider mites are the biggest issue, I simply wipe the leaves of my plant every other day and when I water it I put it in the shower, which removes dust and the mites. You can of course also use Neem oil which is effect against mites.

[@suhyeonandflowers.2419]

486 new friend. ~~ 🌸🥰🥰 beautiful plant~. 🌸🌸🥰

[@PlantBasics]

Thank you so much :)

[@pantojaalthea5263]

How much ,this plant Sir?

[@PlantBasics]

Hello it was about $8

[@orangetree2502]

@@PlantBasics hi may I know where did you get it? Thanks.

[@PlantBasics]

@@orangetree2502 Sure, I bought it from a nursery close to my house called Stark Ayers :)

[@orangetree2502]

@@PlantBasics I'm jealous 😁 not sure where I can get it here in Canada 😂

[@PlantBasics]

@@orangetree2502 That might be a problem! are indoor plants difficult to get in Canada?

[@MaCodray]

Sorry, I have a second question. As I'm in Local Lockdown due to Covid-19, I'm not in a position to get to a Garden centre to purchase any potting compost. I do have cacti and succulent ready mixed and orchid potting compost (both commercial composts) would either of these be suitable for re-potting my alocasia zebrina?

[@PlantBasics]

So my gut is saying - mix the two. Is your orchid mix just fresh bark? or is it similar to an aroid mix?

[@MaCodray]

@@PlantBasics I've looked at the bags they come in but there's not a great deal of information. I'm afraid I'm a bit of a novice and am not sure what an aroid mix might consist of! As far as I can see it has pine bark and seramis (both lots of compost are manufactured by Westland). Thanks for your help, much appreciated

[@PlantBasics]

@@MaCodray So I guess you could mix those or if you can find a coco coir brick (Might be sold at a supermarket?) you can mix that with your orchid mix and that would give you a nice well-draining mix. So an Aroid mix is a mix that's suited to Philodendrons, Anthuriums, Monsteras, etc - basically, a mix that recreates a forest floor. So it's usually also coco coir, bark, perlite which drains really well. - Let me know how you get one. Corbin

[@MaCodray]

@@PlantBasics Thank you Corbin. Ive found that no Garden Centres near me sell coco coir! Very frustrating - So I'm going to try on line. I'll let you know how I get on

[@PlantBasics]

@@MaCodray Such a Pleasure - glad that I could help :)

[@melA81]

why is my alocasia hanging her ears?

[@adrianpoe4416]

Usually that’s underwatered. If the soil is wet then it’s overwater and stressed.

[@blibliobli7275]

whaaat? that accent is a nightmare.

[@PlantBasics]

Hey, the video does have subtitles if that makes it easier for you Corbin

[@silvia-vm7fe]

pity , it is very difficult to understand your English .

[@PlantBasics]

Hello, I'm really sorry that it's so difficult :( I will try to make it easier to understand in the future. Corbin

[@nhidizzle]

@@PlantBasics youre trying your best and thats all that counts! No need to apologize 😊

[@PlantBasics]

@@nhidizzle Thank you :)

[@silvia-vm7fe]

@@PlantBasics Thank you !

[@orangetree2502]

@@PlantBasics your English is fine, I understand every bit of it!