Loxia

Botanical name

Alocasia sp.

Plant family

Araceae

Identification

Genus

Growth and life cycle

Based on the tentative identification, you are getting an alocasia, a perennial plant with a thickened rhizome from which the leaves grow. In cold conditions, growth may slow and some leaves may fall.

Choosing a pot

Choose a pot with drainage holes, and go only slightly larger than the root ball when it is clearly crowded. If you add a decorative outer pot, make sure you can take the inner pot out and empty any collected water.

Light

Bright, indirect light

When to water

Check the potting mix with your finger at a depth of about 2 cm. Water when this layer starts to dry, before the whole pot dries out. Water until it runs out of the drainage holes, then empty the saucer or decorative outer pot. Yellowing while the mix stays wet for a long time can indicate too much water; drooping leaves when the mix is very dry can indicate thirst.

Potting mix and drainage

Choose an airy potting mix that holds a little moisture, with added perlite and pieces of bark. Make sure there are drainage holes and that water does not sit around the bottom of the pot.

Feeding

Fertilize when the plant is putting out new leaves and looks healthy, following the fertilizer instructions. When growth stops, or the plant is suffering from dryness or prolonged wetness, wait before fertilizing.

Pruning and tidying

Remove fully dried leaves with clean scissors, and leave green leaves in place. Wipe off dust with a damp cloth. Wear gloves when cutting, as the sap may irritate your skin.

The first few days at home

Remove the wrapping and check that the drainage holes are clear. Place near a bright window, away from air-conditioning drafts, and check the growing medium before watering. Keep the plant in its current pot at first, as long as there is no drainage problem or obvious root crowding.

What to watch for

If brown tips appear, check whether the growing medium has become very dry or an air-conditioning draft is blowing onto the leaves. Pale spots and fine webs on the undersides of leaves call for a check for mites.

Placement and climate

Indoors, choose a bright spot away from air conditioning and glass that gets hot. On a balcony, choose bright shade sheltered from wind and summer sun. In winter, protect from cold and prolonged rain. In coastal areas, keep gentle air circulation without leaving the growing medium wet for long periods.

Propagation

You can propagate by separating rooted offsets when repotting, while the plant is healthy and actively growing.

Around pets

We haven’t verified whether this plant is safe around pets. Ask us before choosing.

Care level

Needs regular attention

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