Alocasia: How to Care for 2021’s Up-and-Coming Plant

Heads up, houseplant fanatics: the Alocasia is having a real moment right now. They’re trending big time on social media and design forums, and honestly, we’re here for it. Collecting a diverse assortment of plants and displaying them in your home is the ultimate style flex of this decade. Adding an Alocasia to your plant collection is like the modern equivalent of buying a Von Dutch trucker hat in 2002. Swag rating: off the charts. 

Before You Scoop One Of These Trendy Plants, Learn the Basics of Alocasia Care

There are so many wickedly cool varieties of Alocasia, with distinctive leaves that look just like dragon wings. It’s a common occurrence for new, starry-eyed plant owners to impulse-buy an Alocasia without knowing the care requirements. This can lead to some minor heartbreak, and a premature end to the Daenerys Targaryen aesthetic your fancy dragon plant was bringing to the scenery. 

But don’t let that dissuade you! Alocasia plant care isn’t difficult—it’s just a matter of knowing what your plant needs to be comfortable. Once you know the basics, you can go full speed ahead with the Mother of Dragons vibes and collect a whole brood of baby Alocasias. 

Sunlight Needs for Alocasia

Alocasias are tropical plants, which means they’re accustomed to being shielded from direct sun by a big, leafy tree canopy overhead. If you put your Alocasia directly in a brightly lit window, its leaves will get scorched. An important part of your Alocasia care routine is ensuring your plant receives indirect, or filtered light. Try a north- or east-facing window, or several feet from a bright window, away from any direct beams. 

How Often Should You Water Alocasia?

You’ll want to keep the soil of your Alocasia consistently moist, but you also don’t want it to get soggy. Keep a regular schedule for watering, and try not to overdo it and flood the container. Having a pot with drainage holes helps to release excess moisture and prevent root rot; however, it isn’t a dealbreaker. You can still use a pot with no holes—you just have to be more careful about the amount of water you add. 

Should I Mist My Alocasia?

Another key element of Alocasia plant care is maintaining high humidity levels. The rainforest is super humid, and dry air will cause your Alocasia’s leaves to turn crunchy and brown. One way to easily supplement humidity is by using a mister and finely spritzing your plant once or twice per week. Some other ways to boost humidity include:

• Placing your plant on a shallow tray full of pebbles and a ½ inch of water
• Using a large, plug-in humidifier
• Using a small portable humidifier and placing it close to the plant
• Bringing the plant into the bathroom once every two weeks, filling the room with steam from the shower, and allowing the plant to soak for an hour

Alocasia Fertilizer

These plants are very heavy feeders, so part of their care is maintaining a regular fertilizing schedule. Luckily, it’s not a complicated process at all. Simply purchase a balanced 20-20-20 slow-release, water-soluble fertilizer, and mix it into the water you use to water your plant. Apply it once per month from spring until fall. Alocasias can have pretty impressive growth spurts, sometimes sprouting one new leaf per week, so adequate fertilizing will help keep it fueled.

If you’re on the hunt for an Alocasia indoor plant for sale, or any other trendy tropicals to brighten up your home, browse the Plant Decor Shop online catalog! We’ve got plenty of houseplant classics, as well as new, cutting-edge varieties you’ve probably never seen before. Find your new all-time favorite today!