The Alocasia Elephant Ear plant ( Alocasia amazonica ) is a stunning cosmetic houseplant with gravid arrow - shaped leave , articulate lily-white vein , and wavy edge . Also called the African mask industrial plant , theAlocasia amazonicais a tropical unfolding plant that fly high indoors . The prominent impressive glossy dark green leaf make a bold affirmation growing in medium - bright rooms or partial shadiness .
Alocasiaelephant ear plants are renowned for their ample leafy foliage . This hybrid tropic plant is a larger translation of thecompactAlocasia amazonica‘Polly . ’As an indoor plant , theAlocasiaAfrican masque has the same features as the modest cultivar .
This article is a complete care guide for growing theAlocasiaelephant ear plant indoors . At the remainder of the clause , you ’ll recover helpful gratuity on resolving tutelage issues withAlocasia amazonicaplants .
How to Care for Alocasia Amazonica (Elephant Ear Plant)
To care forAlocasiaelephant pinna plants , develop the pot houseplants in bright indirect light . Water African masquerade party plant life when the top layer of soil is dry . Alocasia amazonicathrives in temperatures between 65 ° F and 80 ° F ( 18 ° C – 26 ° degree centigrade ) and restrained humidness . Fertilize every two calendar week during the maturate time of year .
Alocasia Elephant Ear Plant Facts
Alocasia amazonica is also holler ‘ elephant spike plant ’ and ‘ African masque ’ plant
TheAlocasiaelephant auricle plant is a perennial intercrossed tropic plant in the familyAraceae . The plant ’s aboriginal home ground is tropical and subtropic region where the big - leafed plants develop ontropical forestfloors . The large triangular - shaped leaves can be as tall as the plant .
Despite having the botanical nameAlocasia amazonica , the stunning plant does n’t originate in South America . Alocasiaplants grow in the natural state in the jungles of Southeast Asia . It ’s thought that theAlocasia amazonicahybrid cultivar was developed in a Miami nursery . Its vulgar names such as ‘ elephant ears ’ and ‘ African mask ’ plant refer to the unusually - shape turgid greenish leaf .
Alocasia amazonicais a fast - originate works that grows indoors up to 2 ft . ( 0.6 m ) tall . Its evergreen plant arrow leave can also grow as long as 2 ft . ( 60 cm ) . The leaves are shiny and gullible with blatant creamy white veins , and its arrowhead foliation sometimes turn purplish - green colour .
Alocasiaelephant ear plantsgrow outdoors in USDA geographical zone 10 through 12 . The rhizomes or tuberous root are n’t cold - fearless , and the plant wo n’t hold up alfresco in temperate climates . you’re able to well develop African masquerade implant indoors in bright conditions and above - average humidity .
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AlocasiaElephant Ear Plant (Alocasia Amazonica) Flowers
The African mask plant ( Alocasia amazonica ) is a blossoming plant specie that blooms in tropical surround . Like all type of arum , Alocasiaplants produce white spathe - like flowers , exchangeable topeace lily flowers . TheseAlocasiaflowers have a blossoming spadix surrounded by a colorful leaf .
Alocasiaelephant ear plants only bloom in idealistic growing experimental condition . Therefore , they seldom — if ever — prime indoors . But do n’t worry , the small unimportant bloom are no match for the arresting broad - leaved leafage .
Alocasia Amazonica(Elephant Ear Plant) Care Guide
TheAlocasiaelephant ear industrial plant grows well indoors if you give it right care . The three most crucialcare cistron forAlocasiaplantsto thrive are adequate light , batch of humidity , and adequate watering . It ’s also vital to avoid overwatering the flora so that its rootstock roots do n’t moulder in moist soil .
Let ’s attend in more detail at how to care forAlocasiaAfrican masque plants indoors .
AlocasiaAfrican Mask Light Requirements
TheAlocasiaelephant ear plant grows good in bright light , protect from direct sunlight . Plenty of light keeps the foliage dark green and prominent veins bloodless . The best location for African mask plant is near an east- or west - confront window . Alocasiaelephant ear plants do n’t grow well in low-down light .
Alocasiaplants get in dappled sun in tropical forest . Although the leathery leaves seem robust , intense sunlight can damage the foliage . Too much sunshine can do the leaves to become pale and miss their color .
Alocasiaelephant ear plants are notplants that survive for a tenacious time in the spectre . originate in dark conditions can also cause the foliage to pass off and eventually die . If you notice that the leaves are drooping and yellowing , move the plant life to a brighter positioning .
The Best Soil for Elephant Ear Plant (Alocasia Amazonica)
The African mask plant life grows best in informal , poriferous soil that has excellent drain . Mix one part peat moss , one part potting soil , and one part perlite for anAlocasiapotting mixing . Thishouseplant soil recipeis a fast - draining grease mixing that moderate just enough wet without risking ascendent bunk .
When caring for anAlocasiaelephant spike plant , avoid dull potting soil . remedy the soil withpeat mossprovides all important nutrient and loosens the medium . Also , perlite is an idealistic improver to houseplant soilto activate the mix and increase drain .
Soil should be porous enough to dry out partially between waterings . Soil with fast drainage is the respectable direction to forestall roots from decaying . Here are some reasons whyAlocasiapotting soil is n’t run out well :
How to WaterAlocasiaElephant Ear Plant
Water yourAlocasiaelephant ear works as often as the top stratum of soil prohibitionist . In summer , you may have to water theAlocasiaplant as often as once a week . In winter , every two to three weeks is usually enough to irrigate the flora .
by and large , only water the African mask plant when the top 1 ” ( 2.5 cm ) of land is ironical . All you require to do is poke your finger’s breadth in the stain . If the top level is bone dry , it ’s metre to irrigate the plant . If there is still some moisture , wait for a few day before check again .
H2O just enough to keep theAlocasiasoil moist , but not wet or impregnate . The bestwatering techniquefor this works is little and often . Most houseplant boom when you drench the land between watering . However , withAlocasiaplants , that could risk cause antecedent rot . So , render enough water to reach to the roots and only H2O when the soil partially dries . During wintertime , it ’s acceptable to let the soil almost completely dry before irrigate it .
AlthoughAlocasia amazonicaspecies is n’t adrought - tolerant plant , it can survive bouts of dryness .
Temperature Requirements for GrowingAlocasia Amazonicaat Home
The Alocasia elephant ear plant thrives in ordinary elbow room temperatures . Keep the indoor temperature even between 65 ° atomic number 9 and 80 ° F ( 18 ° degree Celsius – 26 ° snow ) and render to forefend sudden temperature fluctuation . Generally , if you palpate comfortable — not too hot or too cold — theAlocasiashould uprise well .
temperature below 55 ° F ( 12 ° C ) make growth to slow and become dormant . insensate temperatures can leave in leaf drop . However , theAlocasiaplant should set off regrowing when it warms up .
The ripe way to like for theAlocasiaelephant spike plant is to avoid temperature extremes . In summertime , keep theAlocasiapot out of cold airflow from AC unit or draft from doors or windows . In winter , avoid placing the plant pot near hot air vent or radiator .
Humidity Requirements forAlocasiaAfrican Mask Plant Indoors
Alocasia Amazonicaneeds at least 50 percent humidity to farm well indoors . Increase room humidity by misting the foliage on a regular basis , putting the pot on a pebble and water tray , or using a room humidifier . mountain of air moisture forbid the leave of absence from developing crispy brown patches .
Here are some shipway to humidifyAlocasiaelephant ear plants :
Mist the parting — Fill a nebuliser feeding bottle with separate out tap pee . Finely haze over the leaf every other day but avoid getting them too wet .
Group houseplant — Grow houseplants together to create a humid atmosphere to promote fast growth .
Pebble tray — Put a level of decorative stones on a tray and half - fill with water . position theAlocasiapot on the pebbles so that vaporize moisture humidifies the African masquerade party flora .
Room humidifier — Boost humidity levels by using a humidifier to have at least 50 percent humidity .
Fertilizer forAlocasiaElephant Ear Plant
TheAlocasiaelephant ear industrial plant benefits from fertilizing twice a month during the growing time of year . works in theAlocasiagenus run to be impenetrable bird feeder . habituate a diluted balancedfertilizer for houseplantsto provide extra nutrients . Only apply plant food every two weeks from spring until the end of August .
It ’s good to remember that mineral salts can build up in pot mix . So , it ’s a good idea to flush the grunge every two to three calendar month . All you need to do is run warm water through the soil for a couple of minute to take away excess nutrient .
PruningAlocasia AmazonicaHouseplants
TheAlocasiaelephant ear industrial plant has few pruning necessity . Typically , the only ground to pruneAlocasiafoliage is to remove damage , decaying , or dead leaves . The plant stems grow forthwith from tuberous roots . To pruneAlocasiaplants , snip off the leaf stems near the soil line .
RepottingAlocasiaElephant Ear Plants
The Alocasia elephant ear flora is a fast agriculturist and want repotting every spring . RepottingAlocasiaplants in a magnanimous pot allow root more room to grow . you’re able to also check the plant ’s root for polarity of decay and , at the same metre , refresh the potting soil .
Here are some ready to hand tips when repottingAlocasiaelephant ear plants :
How to PropagateAlocasia Amazonica
Propagate theAlocasiaelephant ear industrial plant by dividing the roots . The tuberous roots rise small setoff that are easy to part from the ‘ mother ’ plant . you may plant these ‘ baby ’ straight into fresh ground to rise new works .
To propagate African masquerade plants , lightly polish off the base bollock from the container . Clean excess poop from the rootstock . Look for small offsets and mildly facilitate them aside from the independent base . Plant the original plant and the smaller broadcast plants in individual green goddess with sweet , damp potting territory .
IsAlocasia Amazonica(Elephant Ear Plant) Toxic?
The Alocasia elephant ear plant life is vicious to guy , wienerwurst , and other animals . The ASPCAsaysthatAlocasiaplant specie contain insoluble calcium oxalate . Ingesting parts of the plant can cause unwritten aggravation , well up , excessive drooling , and vomiting .
Pests AffectingAlocasia AmazonicaGrowth
ruddy wanderer mitesand common spider mites can infestAlocasiaelephant ear plants . Get rid of mitesby using a neem crude solution . Add 2 tsp . neem fossil oil and 1 tsp . liquid Castile grievous bodily harm to a nebuliser bottleful control one quart ( 1 l ) of half-hearted weewee . Shake well and exhaustively douse the flora ’s leaf with the natural pesticide .
To care forAlocasiaelephant ear industrial plant decent , it ’s vital to jazz how tospot the mark of houseplant gadfly . Spider mite are identified by thin silky string dangling from leave of absence . Or you may note webbing on leaves or stems if you ’ve father a more extensive wanderer mite plague .
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Diseases AffectingAlocasia AmazonicaGrowth
The most common disease affecting theAlocasiaelephant ear plant is root rot . rootage start to decay when the genus Tuber baby-sit in wet , sloppy soil . In meter , the dampish filth develops fungous diseases that finally kill the root and the flora . The best fashion to annul root rot is to irrigate your tropical plant correctly .
Usually , by the metre planetary house of root rot appear on the industrial plant ’s stems and foliage , tooth root damage is extensive . Usually , stem near the base of the plant turn black and mushy . Root rot is one of the reasons why African mask plant leaves turn yellow-bellied .
The good way to resuscitate anAlocasiaplant excruciation from root rot is to repot it in a fresh potting mixing . slay or trim down off any part of the stem that has signs of decay . In severe cases , it may not be possible to saveAlocasiaplants that have rotting roots .
Alocasia Amazonica (Elephant Ear Plant) Care — FAQ
Alocasiaelephant ear plant does n’t need a lot of care . Usually , with some extra humidity , vivid light , and modal room temperatures , the African mask works thrives indoors . However , a few issues can cause the leaf to sag and lose its gloss .
DoAlocasiaelephant ear plants die in winter?
Alocasiaplant metal money become sleeping in winter and stop growing . insensate conditions and teetotal soil do the leaves to die back . However , if you only irrigate the plant occasionally so that the potting soil is slightly dampish , it should take off to regrow in outpouring .
How do I care forAlocasiaelephant ear plants in winter?
During the wintertime dormancy period , it ’s vital to fend off overwatering the Alocasia plants . Colder conditions and dampen soil can cause fungous ascendent infection . Also , you should n’t leave a pottedAlocasiaelephant ear plant outdoors during wintertime if you survive in USDA zones 9 and below .
Why are myAlocasia amazonicaleaves yellowing?
lacrimation issues are usually the reason for African mask plants get icteric leaves . Overly dry dirt or a wet potting mix prevents nutrients from reaching the leaf . Gradually , the leave will lose their shiny dark green color .
Why are myAlocasia amazonicaleaves turning brown?
Alocasiaelephant ear plants grow brownish baksheesh or spot if they miss humidity . To prevent more brown , crispy patch on farewell , increase humidness by misting the arrowhead leaves daily . you’re able to trim off the brown tips to improve the plant ’s appearance .
Why are myAlocasiaAfrican mask plant leaves drooping?
Several care issues causeAlocasiafoliage to wilt and droop . The most coarse understanding are sear soil , overly damp soil , deficient light , a pest plague , or a lack of nutrient . To avail fetch your plant back to life , you require to go out what is get poor growth .
For example , dry soil , brown hint , and drooping development could bespeak that theAlocasiaplant needs watering and more humidity . If the potting soil is damp and the plant is in the shade , moving it to a brighter location could revitalise its ontogenesis .
How do you revive anAlocasiaplant?
To bring anAlocasiaelephant pinna flora back to life , address the underlie publication . If the soil is overly dry , drench the flora ’s roots and H2O as often as half of the potting mix dries . In case of etymon rot and waterlogged filth , you may need to repot theAlocasiaplant . However , if the roots have extensive decay , you may need to cut down your losses and dispose of the dying plant .
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