Alocasia Care
Alocasia (elephant ear): Dragon Scale, Silver Dragon, Black Velvet, Polly and more
At a glance
| βοΈ Light | Bright indirect. |
|---|---|
| π§ Water | When the top 3β5 cm is dry. Less in winter. |
| πͺ΄ Soil | Chunky and airy: our Chunky Monkey Mix. |
| π‘οΈ Temp | 18β29Β°C. Hates cold. |
| π¨ Humidity | Higher is better: 50%+. |
| πΎ Pets | Not pet safe Toxic to cats and dogs if chewed. |
| π± Care level | Moderate |
| π Grows to | 30 cm to 1 m+, depending on variety. |
Alocasias have dramatic arrow-shaped leaves in silver, velvet, black and scaled textures. They're show-stoppers, but they have a reputation for drama. The secret is understanding their rhythm: fast growth in the warm months and a slower, sometimes leaf-dropping rest in winter.
Light + placement
Bright, indirect light: near an east window or set back from a south or west window. Low light leads to stretched stems and leaf loss. Avoid hot direct sun on the leaves.
Watering
Water when the top 3β5 cm of soil is dry; never let it sit soggy. In winter, water much less. The corm at the base rots easily in cold, wet soil.
Soil + repotting
A chunky, airy mix like our Chunky Monkey Potting Mix. Alocasias like a snug pot; repot only when roots fill it, in spring or summer.
Feeding + upkeep
Feeding: We feed with Kelpy, a gentle plant food made from BC kelp. Mix 1 teaspoon into 1 litre of water and use it every time you water; this is a hungry plant. Kelpy is gentle enough to use year-round. Our rule of thumb: if your plant is putting out new growth, even in winter, keep feeding. If it's resting, you'll be watering less, so it gets fed less too.
For a slow, natural boost, top-dress the pot with a thin layer of worm castings every few months, or mix some in when you repot. Prefer a granular food? BIOS Natural Plant Food mixes into the top layer of soil (about 1 tablespoon per 6-inch pot) once a month while your plant is growing. A little white fuzz on the soil afterwards is normal; it's the helpful fungi at work.
It's normal to lose an old leaf each time a new one opens. Check under the leaves weekly for spider mites, especially in dry winter air.
Propagation
When repotting, look for small corms (bulb-like bulblets) in the soil. Pot them in moist sphagnum or LECA and they'll sprout new plants. See Propagation 101.
Common problems
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fine webbing, speckled leaves | Spider mites (very common) | Shower the leaves and treat with Houseplant Spray weekly until clear. |
| Leaves dying back in winter | Dormancy | Water less, keep warm; it regrows in spring. |
| Yellow leaves, mushy corm | Overwatering, rot | Let it dry; remove rotten parts and repot. |
| Drooping leaves | Thirsty or cold | Check the soil; move away from cold windows. |
| Brown crispy edges | Dry air | Raise humidity. |
Varieties we carry
Same care for all alocasias. The jewel types (Dragon Scale, Black Velvet, Silver Dragon) stay compact. Only what's in stock online right now is shown.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my alocasia keep losing leaves?
Often it trades an old leaf for a new one. In winter it may rest and drop several. A firm corm means it's fine.
Is alocasia safe for pets?
No. It's toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.
How do I stop spider mites?
Check weekly, shower the leaves, raise humidity, and treat at the first sign of webbing.
Can alocasias go outside in summer?
Yes, in shade on a warm patio. Bring them in before nights drop below 12Β°C.
Alocasia care kit
- Chunky Monkey Potting Mix: Bark-rich and airy, for climbers and aroids.
- Houseplant Spray: For spider mites, mealybugs and other pests.
- LECA Clay Pebbles: For pebble trays and semi-hydro growing.
- Kelpy Plant Growth Booster: Gentle BC kelp plant food you can use year-round.
- Worm Castings: A slow, natural boost from our Soil Bar. Top-dress every few months.
Bring your plant (or a photo) to 515 Chatham St #103 and we'll take a look. Open 11β5, 7 days a week, with street parking nearby. Get directions β
More plant care guides
Sundew Β· Venus Fly Trap Β· Tradescantia Β· Goldfish + Lipstick Plants Β· Air Plants Β· Pink Princess Β· Monstera Adansonii Β· Anthurium Β· All plant care β