Complete Alocasia Care Guide | Elephant Ear Houseplant Care and Propagation

[@syth108]

Hello Drea! As much as I love your videos, there are some myths and misinformation in this video. 1. Cutting off inflorescences. When a plant goes into the blooming cycle, it undergoes hormonal changes. Cutting off flowers will not encourage it to stop flowering, it won't magically stop the internal biological and hormonal processes that are going on in the plant. By the time you see an inflorescence, the plant already spent a ton of energy on those inflorescences and if you cut them, that energy is lost and it might shock the plant too. Moreover, since it is still in flowering mode, it will often try to make yet another inflorescence, spending even more energy and exacerbating the problem further. By keeping the inflorescences and letting them die out naturally, the plant will then recycle those nutrients. (Source: LariAnn Garner, founder of Aroidia Research Institute, lead hybridizer of many modern popular Alocasia cultivars) 2. You say it's not concerning if a leaf dies as a new one emerges. I'd argue it is a bit concerning because what this means is that the plant is forced to sacrifice an otherwise healthy leaf because it is lacking nutrients. I have a few different alocasias (e.g. black velvet, silver dragon, zebrina, micholitziana, cuprea) and each have 7-8 leaves at the same time. My baby cuprea is pushing its ninth leaf and the oldest one is still standing, happy and healthy. It is not a natural leaf cycle in most cases. This is why many people find themselves in the 2-leaf club. 3. Plant leaf senescence (dying of age) is a real thing but a leaf that's barely a few months old is not dying due to senescence, but due to a lack of nutrients. All of these problems are tied to a lack of nutrients and fertilizing. If your leaves are dying while the plant is flowering, you're 99.9% not fertilizing enough. You need to make up for the energy that is used on blooms, because they will take that energy from leaves otherwise. If your lower leaves are dying and they're not years old, it is because the plant has not enough nutrients. Think about it: there's no biological advantage to killing healthy leaves on which the plant already spent energy and receives energy from, unless the plant is forced to kill them off by poor conditions. It is natural but it's a survival mechanism. I have my alocasias in a mix of 20% peat-based potting soil and the rest is bark, perlite, pumice, coco chips, etc. I'm giving them a ton of light. I have them in very small pots, and at this time of the year, I find myself watering them every 1-2 days. I use full strength fertilizer with each watering (following the label on the bottle), and there are zero signs of any fertilizer burn. People are so afraid of fertilizer burn and so they don't fertilize enough... I love your videos and I know you like to look at things from a scientific perspective, so I hope you don't take this as a criticism! I'm just tired of these alocasia myths, and they are often perpetuated on reddit and other forums by many users who are then giving advice to novice indoor gardeners. Sorry for the very long text! :D And thanks for everything you do!

[@chelseastrickhouser2745]

Thank you so much for taking the time to type this all out! It is super helpful!

[@hangingwithnae]

Thank you!

[@pinstripesuitandheels]

Wow, what a wonderful and thoughtful comment! Thank you for all the information. I'm sure Drea welcomes this kind of comment. I have an Alocasia baginda "Dragon Scale" that keeps getting oedema. It's the only one of my alocasias with this problem. Any tips?

[@jason_lee25]

Literally, every video she makes is gold 🤓🙌

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Awe, you’re making me blush ☺️

[@katherinesimon8242]

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[@MaxineShaw_84]

💯 instant subscribe!

[@livingthedream923]

I really appreciate this video, telling me how to do everything right. My very first plant was an Alocasia Polly that I purchased at Ikea on a whim. I did absolutely everything wrong, repotting it immediately into a much too big glazed terracotta pot, filled with straight from the bag Miracle Grow potting mix, and lined with a few coffee filters so the dirt wouldn’t escape. I then sat it in my low light hallway for two months, watering it every Saturday. It didn’t grow, but it didn’t die either. Still not sure how that happened. After a couple months, the weather warmed and I moved it outside onto my covered patio and it’s grown 6 new leaves and looks super healthy. The leaves are HUGE! I do plan on repotting it into a better mix, but for now I’m just letting it do it’s thing. I’m super lucky to live in warmer climate with high humidity, because even though I made so many mistakes, my environment seems to make plants very forgiving. One thing I wanted to mention it that a month ago, my plant started pushing itself out of the top of the soil. I dug down a little bit to see what was going on underneath the soil line, and noticed that there was some fabric tightly wrapped around the roots. I gently cut down the sides of the fabric, making 4-5 cuts to free the roots, but I wasn’t able to remove it completely without damaging the plant. Luckily, it doesn’t seem to have minded and is still growing strong. I’ve since learned that these are known as plugs and now I’m careful to inspect the roots before repotting. Thanks for all of the wonderful advice you give. I love watching your videos and I’m on my way to becoming a better plant parent because of them!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

So glad I could help! And every alocasia I’ve owned turned out to be a plug so always check for that as soon as you get the plant💚

[@msscamp100]

@@AlohaPlantLife That is good to know as I have an Alocasia Tiny Dancer on the way. Thank you! 😃

[@verrettjared]

I've watched tons of videos on alocasia care and other plants... and I always watch new videos just to see if there's something new to learn. and let me tell you you really have crammed everything you need to know im this one short video!!! Really wish I would have came across you first but it's all good I will keep watching your videos to see if there's anything new to pick up

[@verrettjared]

Oh yes I would like to see the video on how to propagate by pollinating the flowers

[@AlohaPlantLife]

I spent the beginning of my plant journey having to watch soooo many videos and still not having full answers to my questions that my goal with my care guides is to provide a one and done video, so I’m glad to hear I’ve been successful in that goal💚

[@verrettjared]

@AlohaPlantLife just started my plant Journey this year it was because I wanted to get into Bonsai but now I'm growing all kinds of house plants. Hope to see a pollinating video from you soon

[@cypressmoon5090]

New Alocasia mom here...thank you!! Great info!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You are so welcome!💚

[@chillb3ats]

Self watering pots have been my Alocasias saving grace. I haven’t had any watering problems since

[@Conniehdz94]

Omg finally a video that actually makes sense and explains everything. I’ve been searching for days and all I did was get more confused! Thank you for clearing things up! ❤

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Glad I could help!💚💚💚

[@stephaniegarrelts]

That Black Velvet! ❤❤❤

[@cookienibz2578]

Another excellent video, very informative! You should do a video (with spring around the corner) on the difference between allocasia & colocasias. I've had colocasias for decades & have found that even nurseries label them incorrectly. The care is similar but also different. You could even cover over wintering them. Maybe it's just my location, but somehow allocasia & colocasias are all called "elephant ears" which is NOT the case. Since we are on spider mite magnets (lol) I'm trying out your recipe for pest control. I usually use neem oil as a treatment AND soil drench. Can't wait to see how well your soap,alcohol,peroxide mix works. Smells MUCH better & easier to mix. Seems to stay on the leaves longer, which seems more effective to me. Thanks for all your hard work & information!

[@MaggieD-uy7cz]

So glad I found your video. Have many plants, but this is my 1st Alocasia. Just love those velvety dark green leaves. I admit to being a bit intimidated by her. I hope, that with your advice, I can her healthy for years to come. Thank you so much.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome!💚

[@121965rob]

Great video. Nicely done and extremely informative!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Glad you liked it!

[@TheNetsrac]

Very informative video with lots of good advice, thank you very much My Alocasia Polly recently had a flower

[@zenmamalove]

My favorite plant resource person,hands down!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Awe, thank you so much!💚💚💚

[@dylancook8863]

I'm so glad you made this video !! It was absolutely perfect in answering every single question i had .. I'm grateful for you !! Beautiful plants !!!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Glad I could help💚

[@greenwitch2062]

I just loved your video. Its very detailed and informative for someone like me who is new with these beauty and struggle with them.❤

[@laurenlavoie7950]

I love the shower tip! I never thought of that thank you girl

[@AlohaPlantLife]

No problem!!💚

[@KnittedSister]

I actually purchased my first alo because of the pretty backside. I was tired of my philos being rude and turning their backs on me, and i'm way too unorganized to rotate my plants on a regular schedule. Now i have four alos with gorgeous backsides in my window. Two amazonica with the dark purple back, and a silver dragon with the gorgeous purple veins. ❤

[@VioletxUltra]

I am so glad I came across your channel. You are brilliant.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you so much!

[@tinamiller9599]

Best alocasia video I've seen to date. Thank you!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!💚

[@bumblebee3295]

Thank you sooooo much, this is the most thorough and most helpful information about this plant I was searching for. I have everything I need to know in one video!! Much love!!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Glad it was helpful!💚

[@JaretToteve]

The best video I've seen on Alocasia care! thank you sooo much!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome!💚

[@DT-we2ye]

This is the best Alocasia video on KZbin. Thank you! Can you do a video specifically on Alocasia Zebrina. I am really struggling with mine. Had two tall stalks with leaves. One leaf sagged and died and now the second one is doing the same. Not sure what to do.

[@wadehadley6765]

VERY informative . To the point . No B.S. LOVE IT ! Liked and subscribed .

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Awesome, thank you!💚

[@redgriffen]

love how informative your videos are. Thank you.

[@scliris]

i love your channel and your plants...i just purchased an alocasia...super informative video...much love and hugs from corfu island in greece

[@toniazurduy3321]

I’m getting started and she is very informative

[@hblady1]

First time watching you. Very helpful and interesting. Thankyou. From Queensland, Australia.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Welcome!💚

[@carinthyberg6529]

Learned soooo much. Thank you💚

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You are so welcome!💚

[@cindywannamaker5299]

Love your videos. I get so much great information from you, I'm just a Newbie!!

[@sissykaye13]

So helpful! Love your channel!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thanks so much!💚

[@beyoutube76]

Thank you, Great video (and the corm one.) I didn't have the guts to cut off the flower on my black velvet until is watched this, just did. (plus, I thought the flower was beautiful with the red spots!) there is also a new leaf cumming out in the last few days. I will search for corms in spring when I repot this and my bambino.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Glad I could help 💚

[@EricaSpradlin]

Super helpful & informative!😍 Thank you!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You're so welcome!💚

[@AryaPhoenix]

Lifesaver. I have been absolutely panicking about a battered up dragon scale that I recently rescued from a shop, and this video definitely helped me calm down and make a more concrete plan about how to deal with it. The poor thing came with a few severely damaged big leaves and most leaves are showing some damage or getting yellow tips, 2 withering blooms (now I now!), trashy soil with yucky mold pockets, and minor cases of mealybugs and spider mites (caught in time). However, I managed to fish out 6 corms when repotting it with fresh soil, and I hope that even if the plant takes a major hit I will still be able to propagate it

[@karianngardenguru]

Fantastic video! I'm struggling with my collection- I have MANY- great job explaining all aspects- thanks, you got a new subscriber! I'll be mixing up a new potting mix and trying it out on 2. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you and merry Christmas to you too💚

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much I really really enjoyed listening to you talk about Alocasia’s. I have a couple of these and I found your video, very very informative and helpful too. Please stay safe and well too xxxx Mags ❤❤❤❤

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Wonderful! Thank you!💚

[@rebeccaciesielski7176]

Thank you your videos are very informative!! Appreciate your knowledge.❤

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You are so welcome!💚

[@1madysmom]

Great educational video. Ty!! You got me hooked…I subscribed. 😊

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Welcome aboard!💚

[@fuzyfuzfuz2]

!!! I wish I had come across your channel sooner!!! I got a beautiful alocaia and was SO EXCITED and then... I thought it died cause all the leaves started to melt away... but it was just too cold 😢 I seriously didnt even think about it!!! So sad, I already tossed the plant thinking it was dead and there was nothing i could do 😢 but!!! Glad I NOW know there is hope and I can try again ❤❤❤

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Oh no! Sorry you didn’t find me sooner, but glad I could help you be better prepared for your next one💚

[@jabariel4136]

Very nice and thorough vid thank you very much

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome! 💚

[@dvlajko]

Thanks for this is is very informative but not too long and boring.... I will try with the soil mix you advised, fingers crossed that my sleepy Alocasia will find the joy of life yet again.....

[@annielitton4622]

Thank you so much - My alocasia Black Panther has two new blooms and I thought the leaf tips were getting sunburned when in fact they may be going to drop off because of the blooms. Wow. Thank you for teaching me that.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome!💚

[@Plantosaur6576]

Thank you! I recently got Alocasia Sinuata. Her leaves started to turn yellow like you showed on yours. I didn't connect it with the flower she is producing. Now, I'm no longer concerned :D very helpful video

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Wonderful! So glad I could be of help💚

[@MA-yv8dw]

Thanks😥 I'm down to one 🌿 leaf and two are growing but I have it in 💦 water.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

They can be grown in water on a permanent basis so if that is what works for you then keeping it in water is definitely an option!

[@caroljohnson2238]

Best information ever ❤ Nre Apocasia plant perspn. Helped me tremendously ❤

[@xxxcleocielo]

Alocasia is definitely something that drive my crazy. I ended up having all of my Alocasia in semi-hydroponics with LECA.

[@EileenWstCstGrl]

Jam packed with information and much appreciated!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Glad it was helpful!💚

[@karlareyes4688]

I really enjoyed this video. A lot of information 😁 so I'm gonna have to watch it a few more times. I'm not new to plants, I'm just mew to them not dying on me 😅😅😅 and once i started working at a plant shop i fell in love with alocasias 😃❤ i want them all but im taking it little by little. I have an alocasia polly that i was able to propagate 😀😃 I hope to get a different one soon to add to my starting collection 😊

[@halenray]

Hells to the yes! Thank you so much for this video. I got my girlfriend a pink dragon scale for our anniversary when i was at the nursery the other day and, this video is helping me take care of it until I give it to her in a few days. I grow cactus mostly, so am super grateful for these tips, she is in indoor plant geek, hope she loves it. Subbed.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Awesome!💚

[@trevorpennington924]

answered.every.single.question 👏🏽

[@lynnburns7663]

Glad I found you 😊❤

[@mariej3890]

Hi ! Thank you for your videos, it is always very complete. Regarding the pests, I had a bunch of thrips last week (the larvas not the adults) on my Alocasia black velvet. It was only on a new leaf, not velvety yet, the old ones were safe. They devoured it, so it couldn't fully open and it was loosing its colour (white spots).

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Oh no! Thrips are the worst!

[@karlajohnson5402]

thank you for being so thorough!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You are so welcome!

[@sandyreid4028]

Thank-you for advice. I sure needed it. Such a beautiful plant.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome!💚

[@rykwalmom]

My Alocasia Polly is ten years old. It is 4 feet tall and was very full in my previous home. Now that we have downsized our home I cannot find a placement that she thrives in. I kept the plant as far from direct light as possible. However the light in my new home completely overwhelmed my plant. She lost at least half her leaves within a week after our move. She stopped losing leaves when I put her in my master bath. It’s northern exposure, and because of privacy issues, shades are partially drawn every day. So the light isn’t ideal. I split straws to keep support on her very long stems. I really wish I could get her happy again.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Wow, 10 years! That’s amazing!! Maybe try a grow light to help supplement the natural light? After 10 years in one place it’s normal for her to be a little cranky about moving. I hope she gets acclimated to your new house 💚

[@KC-gj4bi]

You could try vinyl window 🪟 attachment. I used them in some windows in my home for privacy but still allows the light in and it works great

[@rykwalmom]

@@KC-gj4bi I applied a privacy film about 4 months ago. Great minds think alike! She is much happier!

[@KC-gj4bi]

Glad it worked it out 👍 !

[@alexeyr8262]

.😊😊 it

[@Aztecs911]

Great video and very informative, a must watch for those growing Alocasias.

[@davidhalley9795]

I needed this video. Thank you! I bought a dragon scale recently and worried something is wrong because now it doesn’t stand up straight any longer. No brown leaves, the stem isn’t mushy and just noticed new growth in the center. It’s about 15” tall. Hopefully when I repot it I’ll have some good roots.

[@davidhalley9795]

Update - took my surprise I ended up with one leaf. It had root rot. After a couple of months in water (tap was fine), it grew new roots and then a new leaf. I repotted in pon and a third leaf popped out. Okay for now. I just received another alocasia as gift in soil. Going to let it be for now and not over water.

[@thelaughingface6159]

very informative - thank you! I have several alocasias - love them!

[@darshanapandya4544]

Very informative video. Thanks a lot. Do you think we can use Orchid potting mix for a Polly?

[@rossinilapena9859]

thats what i get too, brown tips. thank you!!!

[@ninasuculentasymas]

My Alocasia love semi-hydro PON.

[@wagnertrezub5948]

Aloha!! Very very cool video, thank you very much! I need to ask you about the mushy stem/corms. In your video, you mentioned there are ways to save the plant in these cases, but you didn’t explain how. Can you help me with that, please? Greetings from Italy!

[@aarflowers9066]

Alocasia lover❤

[@msscamp100]

Great video! Thank you.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You are welcome!

[@msscamp100]

@@AlohaPlantLife I got an Alocasia Tiny Dancer plant a few months ago, and I absolutely love her! Thanks to your video, she now has 7 leaves and is loving life. I have her potted up in your forest floor mix (love, love, love that soil mix!), and sitting on a plant stand about 2' from a southern facing window with a sheer curtain hanging in it. I have wanted this plant for a very long time, and was very nervous about getting her. She is doing great! Thank you so much!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

@@msscamp100 Wonderful!💚💚💚

[@BeautifullifeHomeandGardening]

Nice sharing ma'am❤😊

[@ketanfernandes4094]

For compost, can you use coffee grounds or orange peels? Or would you rather not?

[@JoyceOden-f2c]

What brand of soil, perlite coco coir and charcoal do you use.

[@db-333]

Once again thank you ! 😊

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome!

[@HelgrafFireHammer]

Great video :) thanks! I have a question Your alocasia portadora outside, what type of care does it get in the winter? Im in zone 6, and i wanna keep one outside but im not sure how itll handle the winter temperatures. Do i just mulch it? Do i dig it up and bring it inside similar to a Canna lily? Thanks!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You might want to dig it up in that zone. I’m in 8b and after the first freeze I just chop mine down and mulch over them. If you dig them up you will want to let them dry out and store them in a dark dry place. Most people put them in like a brown paper bag with a little bit of sawdust to help absorb any moisture and then just stick them in a drawer or a cabinet.

[@magneticisland6605]

Alocasia = spider mite lol. Took me 2 months with isolation and various white oils etc . Meanwhile they spread. I was at the point of giving up on my indoor plant's. My calatheas and differenbacias died. Dont let it get you down. Some too finicky. Im trying propagation with an avocado seed atm lol.

[@jacobramey288]

My Alocasia Longiloba keeps using guttation to rid of excess water. No matter how long I wait to water every single time I water it drips at night. Humidity is around 50-60%. Should I repot with a chunkier mix so it doesn’t hold so much water in the soil?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

That could help💚

[@jacobramey288]

@@AlohaPlantLifeended up doing that and putting it into an Airoid mix and haven’t had the problem since! Thanks so much! Aloha ❤

[@JoyceOden-f2c]

Oh and what brand of fertilizer?

[@loribbaptista4470]

Loved your video... Just one question.. Mine is Huge... But often get some of the leave edges turning yellow.. Then drop and I have to cut them down... Am I overwatering? I do follow your watering advice though... Please advise. Thnx

[@AlohaPlantLife]

It’s hard to say without seeing the plant, but could be watering inconsistency in general (over or under)

[@fealexander1]

Hi, thank you. I have a amazonica, and I have two leaves not opening completely at the top. What do you think? Thanks

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Without seeing it it’s hard to say. Are they all the way and just not unfurling?

[@ManjulaPot]

Hi Drea! I am so happy to have found your channel, your videos are so informative. Thank you!!!! I make DI water (deionized water) to use in my humidifier with a RO Buddie I purchased from Amazon. I understand the DI water to be completely void of all minerals ..... is this safe to water my alocasia with? If I can use it, what would I add back without overdoing it?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Yes, that’s safe to use. Just make sure you’re using a balanced fertilizer with like an NPK of 10-10-10 once a month. You may also need to periodically use some cal-mag on your plants as well. Here’s the liquid fertilizer I use: www.amazon.com/dp/B002LFEQ6G?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzan061ad3-20&creativeASIN=B002LFEQ6G&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.2MJTJE3FMRF0I&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_list_m_asin And here’s the cal-mag I would recommend: www.amazon.com/dp/B01MR9WDW7?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzan061ad3-20&creativeASIN=B01MR9WDW7&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.2MJTJE3FMRF0I&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_list_m_asin

[@ManjulaPot]

Thank you! @@AlohaPlantLife

[@charlottecox8180]

I inherited a black velvet from my daughter. No burn spots or bugs. But, the leaves are droopy!?

[@NapturalThoughts-po8nd]

I have an alocasia similar to your bambino (Alocasia Polly/Elephant Ear/Amazonica). I made the grave mistake of misting its leaves and now they’re soft and droopy. The stems are still strong but the leaves are so soft and sad. They’re also not as dark or rich in that green color now that they’re soft 😞 I wish I’d seen this video first 💔 any suggestions?

[@NapturalThoughts-po8nd]

She’s near an east facing window under grow lights. Prior to this she was doing well and even started with a new life emerging 😢

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Slip the plant out of the pot and check the roots. As long as the roots look healthy the plant should bounce back💚

[@NapturalThoughts-po8nd]

@@AlohaPlantLife Thank you for responding!

[@beckythebealge]

Great video. I am on my second year as a plant parent and got my first Alocasia 9 months ago. It’s a Bambino and is doing very well. It’s currently pushing its third leaf in the past 10 days. Leaves are significantly smaller than the other leaves she grew this winter and hasn’t lost 😡 e leaves since I got her except for the one I broke last week. I fertilize her regurlarly and gave her some new fresh soil 4 days ago and the roots are in perfect condition. She is a few feet awat from a south facing window. I am in Ontario Canada if that helps. What do I need to do to promote bigger leaves?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

@@beckythebealge Be careful that she’s not getting too much light because sometimes that can stunt the growth. A good way to judge is by how silver the leaves look. If they’re looking mostly silver then probably needs a little less light.

[@Susan-mo9mr]

Hi, thanks for your video. I have a alocasia polly and when I bought it there was one leaf opening and then it sent out a second leaf, the problem is the two leaves never opened fully at the tip area, it is still dent inward. I don't know what going on, what do you think? Thank you

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Sounds like it may have gotten stuck. What’s the humidity level like in your house?

[@dawnfield683]

Thank you best information on ytube

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You’re welcome💚

[@MilanPerera-r8w]

Nice madam ❤️

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Thank you💚

[@christilarrington]

Can you store corms to grow later?? I have some but don't want to grow them right now.. know if they can make it in a jar or baggie for any period of time?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Yes, but they need to be kept in a dry dark place. Best way to store them is in a brown paper bag with a little saw dust (pick some up in the hamster section of your local pet store) which will help to soak up any moisture in the air.

[@pipertyree8548]

This video was super helpful, thanks!! I Just got my first black velvet alocasia, how much water do you reccomend giving it (i.e do I fully saturate the soil or do I just give it a small amount)? My last alocasia Amazonia died of root rot from overwatering!! :( Also... should I repot it from the pot I bought it in?

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Always thoroughly saturate the soil. No need to repot unless it’s in the wrong type of soil or if it’s realistic really root bound. Hope this helps💚

[@pyromanenadolf]

Correction - You can definitely stem propagate atleast some alocasias. I have a Frydek that is a stem propagation

[@AlohaPlantLife]

What we refer to as a ‘stem’ on alocasia is actually still a part of the main corm, so yes, you can propagate with separate corms or with part of the main corm.

[@alice.in.maddness]

Thank you for making such great videos! They're super helpful💚 Question for ya..is it safe to say, unless it's a rare alocasia, that this care guide will work? I was gifted a purple cloak, I thnk , but I cant' find any videos that actually mention that one in particular. Is that kind similar to any of the varieties typically mentioned because then I can just follow those guides? thanks for any help!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Everything in this guide applies to a Purple Cloak Alocasia too

[@alice.in.maddness]

@@AlohaPlantLife Many thanks!!

[@markgenie1958]

What are your thoughts on having alocasia in pon or semi hydro

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You can grow them long term in just straight up water so the should do fine in semi-hydro

[@sonyad.5942]

I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of Alocasia videos for the last couple of days trying to improve my track record with them. Leafy Diva on YT said she has all of her Alocasia in pon and they are gorgeous! I’m tempted to try, but I don’t particularly want to invest in that at this point, though!

[@jenniferblixt5148]

How do you deal with salts when you fertilize frequently

[@AlohaPlantLife]

I’ve never had a problem with it, but I never fertilize more than once every two weeks and I only do that during the summer

[@nikalarch]

Drea, what would you suggest to do with Black Velvet that developed a long (about 3”) woody stem? I can’t seem to find anything online. It has one leaf and currently growing new one after being dormant for sometime. I’m debating whether to bury it when repotting or get over my aesthetics and let it be. I just want the plant to be happy. Thank you!

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You can repot and bury it deeper but leave an inch or so above the soil when you do💚

[@sushiegirl]

Very interesting, can you tell me what state you live in? What kind of winter do you have? I don’t think I could leave mine outside in the winter as I live in the Ottawa, Ontario region, it might be too cold 🥶 Thanks you for that great information ❤🙏🏼

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Yes, definitely too cold in your zone. I live in Northern Texas💚

[@sushiegirl]

@@AlohaPlantLife ah I see 😂

[@saltydawg5489]

i have an african mask thats pretty old.. the stem is 8 inches long.. i kinda think if i were to cut it and put it into soil it would root.. at least thats what the plant is telling me.. do you think that wouldnt work? I'm probably not going to do it because its already a pretty full plant but im curious about that

[@AlohaPlantLife]

The ‘stem’ is actually part of the corm so it can root, but what I do with mine when they get like that is just repot them in a deeper pot so I can bury more of the exposed ‘stem’. I recently did that with my Alocasia Bambino and it’s put out a ton of new roots from the newly buried part.

[@kittykaci]

Do you think it’d be possible to have an alocasia inside of a glass cloche to retain humidity? I’ve had my alocasia amazonica since 2020 and it just went dormant the beginning of this winter. The base is still in good health but a big problem for me is the humidity during these New England winters

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Absolutely, I‘ve seen other people do it all the time. Just keep a close eye on it at first to make certain it’s not too humid and that mold doesn’t start to develop anywhere.

[@Grrrnthumb]

Kaci, humidity is 100% irrelevant to dormancy. Humidity only affects Alocasia's resistance to spider mites. Dormancy is caused by your low minimum night temps in winter. Try to keep them in your warmest room in winter, and you can bring them out of dormancy in only 2-3 weeks by using a heat mat with very warm temps.

[@valiaudet3415]

??? Do they need to be divided.? How well do they grow with 3 or 4 in the same pot???

[@AlohaPlantLife]

You don’t have to divide them. You can just repot them if they get too root bound due to having too many in the pot. However, if you do want to divide them out, you can do that as well.

[@4estfloor]

What happens when the leaf tips dry and brown? Should I leave them or cut the damage back? Every leaf has brown tips... I was leaving mine dry like my monstera

[@AlohaPlantLife]

It’s not hurting the plant to leave them and you could make it worse if you cut them back and accidentally cut into good leaf tissue so I’d just leave it personally

[@mwatson4970]

Question: I've checked my soil and it was at least 1/2 dry, watered it, and it still gestated (sp?) as if I over-watered. What gives? Love my alocasia, but only have the one. Happy to keep her looking as she does (4 leaves, 1 and a bit foot tall) and not adding more to my plant collection.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Can you tell me what kind of alocasia it is and where it is living in your house (for example, directly in East facing window, in a greenhouse cabinet, 2 feet back from a south window, etc)?

[@juanlopez-ss8jj]

I just got my very first alocasia by mistake over the weekend and panicked researched on how to keep it alive

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Lol! I love this statement so much💚 You can do this even if it was by mistake!

[@erinharris4365]

Can mine be saved the roots are white and healthy but my leaves are yellow and reddish brown the stem feels like it's getting soft but not mushy yet.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

If the roots are healthy then yes. What kind of light do you currently have it in?

[@erinharris4365]

@@AlohaPlantLife I have north facing windows so I had it on a shelf not on the windowsill but about 6 ft from it

[@AlohaPlantLife]

@@erinharris4365 I would try putting it in a brighter location

[@mamorales26]

Hellooo! I’ve been binge watching you. My black velvet is doing pretty good butttt the new leaves has come in cupping up. They are almost as dark as the older leaves (I have two incase I killed one lol) but yeah I can’t get the cupping leaf on each to flatten out to save my life! And they are more circular than long like the rest. Someone help! 😩❤️

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Are you on Instagram or Facebook? If so can you send me a pic of the leaves?

[@mamorales26]

@@AlohaPlantLife hello! I actually have been taking a social media break since April. I swear it’s done wonders. 😂🤣😮‍💨 but I’ll shoot u an email if u want? I moved both of them closer to my west facing window and it’s helped a tad. My other alocasias are doing fine but man black velvet seems tough lol

[@AlohaPlantLife]

@@mamorales26 email me at [e-mail]

[@EPimagery]

What is the big plant behind you? 😍

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Monstera deliciosa💚

[@TimurDavletshin]

"Balanced" fertilizer is a bad idea for most aroids (and for other plants too but to a lesser extent). It has excess amounts of phosphorus which is especially bad when used with distilled water (hard water inactivates soluble phosphates). Many alocasias from Southeast Asia actually tolerate limestone and hard water quite well because Borneo is made of limestone (sure, doesn't apply to epiphyte species). Misting plants is totally OK but I use bacterial fungicide both when water and spray my plants (according to recommendations, not every time). Google for biofungicides based on Bacillus subtilis, they are very effective against fungi and bacterial rots. Spider mites is no problem if you'll find avermectin/abamectin based acaricide/insecticide in your local garden center. It doesn't kill eggs so it will require 2-3 sprayings (with one week brake to let eggs hatch) to eradicate infestation completely.

[@andyrussell5177]

I've had plans all my adult life I am now 56 I've never had a problem with mites are such. Oh my God cross my fingers, my biggest problem the past five years has been fungus gnats. Two years ago I lost more than half my plants the fungus gnats it was so expensive and I could not seem to break the psycho then everything went back to normal, then this summer it started all over again. But I'm not freaking out I'm going to wait them out

[@1949cak]

I have not tried this (cross my fingers-no fungus gnats), but I did see someone who had good luck with nemotodes that prey on the gnat larvae. Good luck!

[@mohammedtanveerkhan7801]

Does artificial light work

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Yes, just have to do a little trial and error to figure distance from the plant that makes them the happiest

[@Psmiley245]

But why do the leaves look burnt? That is happening to mine.

[@AlohaPlantLife]

Are you talking about the few brown tips on mine? That’s because I went a little too long between waterings.