Alocasia Plant Care & Growing Guide

Alocasia plants are beautiful, but many people struggle to give them the proper care. So in this post, I’m going to show you all you need to know about growing them so you’ll have the best success.

The wonderfully diverse array of alocasia foliage makes them a stunning houseplant that’s fun to collect.

But learning how to grow and care for alocasia plants is important in making sure you can enjoy that foliage for as long as you like.

In this detailed alocasia care guide, I’ll teach you exactly how to keep them thriving.

You’ll learn the best soil, light, and humidity levels, plus how to water, fertilize, and even propagate your favorites.

Table of Contents

Information About Alocasia

Alocasias are a fast-growing tropical plant from the Araceae family, and are native to Asia and Australia.

They grow from underground rhizomes. Depending on the species, they can get as tall as 1-10’, while the leaves can range from 6” up to 3’ long.

They’re loved for the leafy arrowhead-shaped foliage that can vary widely in both color and texture.

Different Alocasia Varieties

There are over 80 varieties of alocasia plants. They feature differences in their size and appearance, but can be cared for in almost the same way.

Here are a few of the most popular varieties…

African mask plant – The stunning silvery ribbed, deep green arrow leaves typically don’t exceed 2-4’ in total size.

Alocasia ‘Black Velvet’ – The broad, very dark leaves reach up to 18” and are veined with thin, delicate white ribbing.

Alocasia ‘Lutea Golden‘ – Lime green foliage with yellow veins and stems make this variety strikingly beautiful, especially at their full height of 10’.

Alocasia ‘Pink Dragon‘ – Long pink stems can reach 4’, and the deep green leaves create a striking contrast.

Alocasia azlanii – The 8” leathery leaves on this compact variety are a deep burgundy color with highlights of bronze or green.

Healthy Alocasia 'Pink Dragon' plants — Healthy Alocasia ‘Pink Dragon’ plants

Flowers

Alocasia can produce small, spathe-like flowers when given the proper care, even indoors. The blossoms appear on their own stems in mid to late summer.

But they are usually fairly insignificant, and commonly hidden by the dominant foliage, so you may not notice them.

Toxicity

According to the ASPCA website, all alocasia varieties are toxic to both pets and humans when ingested.

So it’s a good idea to keep these out of reach of small children and pets if you’re concerned about their toxicity.

Lovely green Alocasia 'Odora' plant — Lovely green Alocasia ‘Odora’ plant

How To Grow Alocasia

Before we talk about how to care for alocasia, first we need to discuss the best place to grow them. Giving them a good home is an important first step for healthy, thriving plants.

Hardiness

Though it ranges between varieties, most alocasia plants are hardy only in zones 10+, and are not tolerant of the cold at all.

Many will suffer if they are exposed to temperatures below 50°F, and can die if it gets below 40°F.

So gardeners outside of those zones should keep them indoors during the coldest months.

Where To Grow Alocasia

If you’re in a warm enough climate, you can grow alocasia outside in an area that receives at least partial shade during the warmest part of the day.

For the rest of us, place yours indoors in a warm, bright location. They do very well in containers, but make sure to choose one with drainage holes.

When temperatures warm above 60°F at night you can begin transitioning them outside. But keep them in a shaded location, and move them back in before it starts to cool off in fall.

Alocasia Plant Care & Growing Instructions

Now that you have a good place in mind, it’s time to learn about alocasia plant care. These tips will help you grow any variety.

Light

It can differ between types, but most alocasia plants grow best in moderate to bright indirect light.

Give them plenty of diffused sunlight, but keep them out of direct sun, which can burn the leaves. Low light will slow or stunt leaf growth.

For varieties that feature bright colors like pink or yellow, more light is the best to prevent fading. Add a grow light if you need to supplement them indoors.

Water

Alocasia prefers not to dry out completely, but really dislikes wet feet. Too much water can cause root rot, so it’s better to give them more frequent smaller drinks than to overwater.

When the soil is dry in the top 3-4 inches, water until it begins to seep from the drainage holes. Dump the excess from the drip tray right away, and never leave them soaking in it.

If you struggle to get it right, I recommend purchasing an inexpensive moisture gauge to help you out.

Dwarf Alocasia 'Polly' plant — Dwarf Alocasia ‘Polly’ plant

Humidity

In their natural habitat they receive high humidity, and will thrive best when we replicate that. Without it you may see brown tips or drooping leaves.

Mist them frequently, set them on a pebble tray, or run a small humidifier nearby. It’s also a good idea to wipe the dust from the leaves with a damp rag every few weeks.

Temperature

The ideal temperature range for growing alocasia is between 65-85°F. The leaves can begin to drop when it gets cooler than 60°F.

They are also sensitive to sudden temperature swings, so keep them away from drafts or heating and cooling vents indoors.

Fertilizer

Fertilizing alocasia isn’t a required part of their routine care, but regular feedings can invigorate leaf growth.

Feed them once a month in the spring and summer with organic options like seaweed or fish emulsion, a slow release granule, or a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer.

They can be sensitive to burning, so I’d recommend using only half strength, and avoiding chemical products. Stop fertilizing in the fall and winter.

Soil

The best potting soil is a loose, aerated, well-draining one. Use a high quality mix for those in containers.

You can easily make your own by mixing coco coir or peat moss with perlite or pumice, and a little bit of coarse sand if you tend to overwater.

Outdoors choose an area with good drainage, and amend poor quality soils with compost or worm castings.

Repotting

Most alocasia varieties prefer to be slightly root-bound, but can also grow very quickly. In that case, they may need to be repotted every two years or so.

Check the drainage holes for roots peeking out as a sign. The leaves may stop growing and begin to droop as well. Repot in the spring or summer, and go up 1-2 pot sizes at most.

Pruning

There’s no real need to prune alocasia unless it’s to remove damaged or dead leaves. After winter there may be some withered or discolored foliage you’ll want to remove.

Use sharp, pair of pruners to cut back the entire stem as close to the base as possible.

You can also remove yellowed leaves or those that develop brown or black spots, as well as dead or faded flowers as necessary.

Pest Control Tips

When cared for properly, healthy alocasia plants rarely have pest issues. But on occasion you may find mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, or scale.

It’s best to treat them right away by washing the plant with an insecticidal soap. Or make your own by mixing 1 teaspoon of mild liquid soap with 1 liter of water.

Neem oil will kill off any remaining bugs, and can also help prevent recurring infestations.

Dormancy

It’s natural for alocasia to experience a period of dormancy when temperatures cool in the winter. They may simply stop growing, or may begin to drop leaves if it gets below 60°F.

When temps warm in the spring and summer, they’ll start to come back quickly with new foliage.

Alocasia Propagation Tips

The most common and easiest way to propagate alocasia is by dividing the rhizomes.

You can do this by gently digging up the plant and teasing apart the roots and rhizomes by hand. If they don’t come apart easily, separate the clumps using a sharp sterile knife.

Replant sections at the same depth, and then resume care as usual. They may droop for a few days, but they’ll pop back up as they settle in.

Troubleshooting Common Alocasia Care Problems

Over the years you may experience one or more of these common alocasia care problems. With my tips below, you can get them healthy and thriving again.

Spider Mites

These pests are big fans of alocasia. You’ll notice small white spots on the leaves and fine webbing around the plant.

Manage them by rinsing the leaves and stems with insecticidal soap, and then treating them longer term with neem oil. Spider mites prefer dry environments, so keeping the humidity high will also deter them.

Brown Spots

Brown spotting can be caused by fertilizer burn, chemicals in tap water, sunburn, lack of light, low humidity, pests, fungus, or improper watering.

Use only diluted, natural fertilizers, and if possible, use distilled or rainwater instead of tap. Keep them out of direct sun or very dim settings for the healthiest foliage.

Increase the air humidity, and check for any pests. A natural fungicide can help get rid of rust or mildew, as can trimming away infected foliage.

Yellow Leaves

Yellowing leaves are most often caused by inconsistent watering. If they get too much, the leaves can turn yellow then begin to blacken with rot. Too little and the foliage will yellow and dry out.

Use a soil moisture gauge if you struggle with giving them the proper amount of watering.

Closeup of Alocasia 'Black Velvet' leaf — Closeup of Alocasia ‘Black Velvet’ leaf

Alocasia Care FAQs

Here I’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions about alocasia care. If yours isn’t on the list, please add it to the comments section below.

Is alocasia easy to care for?

Alocasia can be easy to care for once you understand what kind of environment they need in order to thrive. They love high humidity, slightly dry soil, and bright indirect light the best.

Can alocasia grow indoors?

Yes, alocasia is most commonly grown indoors as a houseplant because they are not cold hardy at all. Though you can keep them outside during the warmest months, bring them indoors before it falls below 60°F.

Does alocasia need sun?

Alocasia does not need direct sun, but it does need lots of bright light. Indirect or diffused sources are best to prevent any scorching from direct exposure.

Is alocasia toxic to humans or pets?

Yes, alocasia is toxic to both humans and pets when it’s ingested, according to the ASPCA website.

How often do you water alocasia?

How often you water alocasia depends on the temperature, time of year, and other factors. Instead of sticking to a schedule, check the soil often. If it feels dry a few inches down, it’s time for a drink.

The beautiful leafy foliage of alocasia can be a wonderful addition to your indoor or outdoor garden, especially now that you know how to grow them. Use these alocasia care tips to keep them thriving.

If you want to learn all there is to know about maintaining healthy indoor plants, then you need my Houseplant Care eBook. It will show you everything you need to know about how to keep every plant in your home thriving. Download your copy now!

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Share your alocasia care tips in the comments section below.