However, if you want to give your houseplant a bit of a break from indoor conditions, you can place the container outdoors in a partially shady location. Just be sure to bring it back indoors before winter comes calling.

Alternatively, you can create your own soil mixture using the following materials;

  • 25% Fir Bark25% Perlite30% Coconut Coir10% Horticultural Charcoal10% Worm Castings

Whatever soil mixture you decide to use just make sure it is lightweight and does not have a tendency to retain too much water.

Preferred Light Conditions

If placed in a location lacking sufficient light the plant loses its color, including the leaf veins and can eventually die. Even when placed in a location that receives a medium amount of light, the plant won’t be happy and won’t produce the best growth and leaf coloration as when placed in a brighter location.

Indoor Temperature Requirements

Although the foliage may not be visible, the underground bulb remains alive. The foliage will only re-sprout when temperatures warm again in spring and this can take several months.

Therefore, to keep the plant happy and the foliage present it’s best to maintain indoor temperature between 65°F and 80°F. However, you don’t want to place the container next to a heat or air vent that can create air that is too dry.

During winter, the plant goes through a dormant stage and active growing stops, so you won’t have to water as frequently as you would while it is actively growing. However, you never want the soil to completely dry out. Checking the moisture content of the soil is easy.

  • Check the soil’s moisture by sticking your finger into the soil and if the top inch is starting to feel dry to the touch, apply water until it runs from the pot’s bottom drain holes.

For more tips on how to water your indoor plants correctly, read this article that I wrote which goes into more detail on how to get it just right.

Humidity Requirements

Again, you do not want to place the plant near heating or cooling vents that create air that is too dry.

To learn more about how to improve humidity for your indoor plants, read my article here.

If the potting mix you used to create the soil mixture contained a slow-release blend, you probably won’t have to apply an additional fertilizer application for several months.

Don’t use too strong of a blend of fertilizer or you can end up burning the foliage through a buildup of salts. Many natural fertilizers are much more gentle and are a great option to help avoid nutrient burn. I’ve written about the best natural fertilizer options in this article.

Regardless of what fertilizer you use, I would recommend flushing the soil every few months to wash any salts from it. This is as easy as taking the entire container to your sink and allowing the water to run slowing through the soil for about five minutes.

Pruning Requirements

Depending on how robustly it is growing, you might not have to repot for several years, if for no other reason than to refresh the soil. It is best to do the repotting when the plant begins its active growth in spring.

Propagating Plants

Steps for dividing include:

Leaf Cleaning

Keeping the foliage clean not only keeps the leaves looking their best but also assists in photosynthesis, which keeps your plant heathy and happy. Using plant shine products are not advised because many have a tendency to leave a waxy residue on the leaves and can interfere with the exchange of air.

However, when it comes to keeping your Alocasia looking its best you have several easy options:

  • Take the entire plant to the sink and rinse off the foliage with a gentle spray of lukewarm water. Mix ¼ teaspoon of a mild dish soap into a quart of room temperature water and spray the foliage and then rinse the soap off with lukewarm water. Using a damp cloth, wipe the dust off each leaf.

Since you are taking the time to clean those leaves, don’t forget to spruce up the pot by wiping any collected dirt or grime off it too.

To learn more about how to clean every kind of indoor plant, read my article here.

Disease Problems

If you notice the base of the plant and foliage developing black sections, that’s a good sign rot is developing. Many times by the time root rot rears its ugly head, it is too late to save the plant and it is best to discard and purchase a new one, as the bulb has been affected.

Root rot is mostly caused by poor cultural practices and is relatively easy to prevent.

If you feel you’ve caught the problem early, you can take steps to check for rot damage to the bulb and possibly save the Alocasia.

Pest Problems

They can even infest your other indoor plants so it’s best to treat the problem sooner rather than later. Identifying a spider mite problem is easy as the pest spins a fine web over the plant’s foliage.

You can easily treat a spider mite problem by spraying the top and undersides of leaves with an insecticidal soap or neem. Always follow directions on mixing amounts and frequency of use.

Water when the top of the soil just starts feeling like it’s drying and make sure the pot has bottom drainage and it’s growing in a lightweight soil that drains well.

However, if you live in an extremely hot climate, allow the plant to receive bright indirect light. If it’s getting an adequate amount of light, it might be lacking enough water to keep the soil consistently moist.

Frequently check the top of the soil and if it feels like it’s just starting to turn dry, water until it runs from the bottom of the pot.

If your plant isn’t getting enough humidity, the leaves can start yellowing. You can replicate humid conditions by placing the pot on a tray of pebbles that will catch the water draining from the pot, which creates humidity around the plant.

As the plant ages and starts filling out with new growth, the older leaves naturally turn yellow, begin drooping and will eventually die and drop from the plant.

These tiny sap-sucking pests can quickly weaken and even kill you plant, as well as make themselves welcome on your other indoor plants, so quick action is best.

Spray the top and underside of the leaves with an insecticidal soap or neem, following package directions on mixing amounts and frequency of use.

The only way to grow additional plants is by dividing and removing new offsets from the mother plant. It’s best to do this while the plant is actively growing in spring through summer.

Even the sap can cause skin irritation. Be sure to situate the plant in a location that is out of reach of children and pets.

The plant grows best and retains its color situated in bright indoor light. However, if you live in an extremely hot climate, place it in a location that receives bright indirect light.