9 Growing Tips for Healthy Potted Alocasia Plants

Alocasias make beautiful houseplants with their graceful stems and heart-shaped leaves. It’s no wonder they are one of the most popular houseplants around.

With so many varieties and their relative ease of care, they truly give you bang for your buck. They bring tropical, vacation vibes wherever you grow them. It’s a gratifying plant to grow in the home and otherwise. 

Since alocasias are tropical and not frost-tolerant, most people have to settle for potted specimens. If you’re looking for a good cultivar to keep as a potted plant, look for one that is mid-sized. I have some 10-foot stunners in my Florida garden, and they would be a bit much in my living room. Try to select a variety that suits your space.

Once you’ve selected your plant, most alocasia plants have the same or similar care needs. Let’s take a look at some important potted alocasia growing tips to set you on a path to success. 

Tip 1: Get the Light Right

Alocasia plants, also known as elephant ears, grow naturally in tropical and subtropical regions. They thrive in humid, shaded forests and tend to pop up near water. Here, they receive predominantly filtered sunlight that comes through the canopy overhead. 

The first potted alocasia tip is to replicate this easily by providing your alocasia with bright, but indirect light. They love to sit next to a window. Just don’t put them in direct sun for more than a few hours in the morning. Direct sun, and especially hot, afternoon sun, will burn the leaves. Too little and the stems become leggy. 

An east-facing window is best. North will not give you enough light. If you have to place it in a west or south-facing window, a sheer curtain will diffuse the light. Otherwise, give it about one to three feet of distance from the window. If you place this plant outdoors in the summer, it likes bright shade or filtered light. 

Tip 2: Water Properly

As rainforest plants, these leafy lovelies do love moisture. They prefer soil that is consistently moist, but not soggy. It should never get bone dry, but it also shouldn’t stay wet. Consistently wet soil can easily lead to root rot for your potted alocasia.

Some sources will tell you that you should water once or twice a week. This really depends on the temperature inside your house, the humidity, and the level of light. All of these things influence the evaporation of water, so I prefer to use a touch test. 

When the top one or two inches of the soil are dry, this is the time to water your plant. Don’t wait until the soil is dry throughout and the plant starts to wilt. It will likely perk back up, but this adds stress and slows growth.

Likewise, don’t let the top of the soil stay wet all the time, or mold will grow. As your plant enters a semi-dormant state in the winter, you’ll find the soil stays moist longer. Space out waterings during this time. 

Tip 3: Use the Right Soil

Getting the soil right is one of the most important potted alocasia tips for growing a healthy plant. They like soil that mimics the rainforest floor. The environment that they are adapted to has moist, rich soil that is loose and airy around the roots, so it drains quickly.

What this equates to in potting soil is a mixture that begins with ample organic material. Then you want to mix in coarse, porous materials that will aerate it and keep it from compacting. This combination will hold moisture, but won’t let it pool. 

Alocasia plants also prefer soil that is slightly acidic (around 6.0-6.5). Using enough organic matter will achieve this goal. If you like to buy your potting soil premixed, one made for tropical plants will work well. If you prefer to mix your own, here is a good recipe:

• 10% Compost or worm castings
• 20% Bark
• 30% Perlite or pumice
• 40% Peat moss or coco coir

Tip 4: Keep the Temperature Steady

Potted alocasias are particular about their surroundings. Part of that is a need for consistent temperatures. They also don’t like to be cold. During the day, a range of 75 to 85°F (24-29°C) is preferable. At night, a ten-degree drop is fine, but much more fluctuation and your leaves won’t look their best. 

Fortunately, this range is a comfortable one for most homes. Something to consider is that these plants prefer warm weather. Keeping them in the warmest room in the house will result in the fastest rate of growth. Just keep it consistent.

Don’t place them too close to an air vent or heating element. Keep them away from drafts as well, especially in the winter. 

Tip 5: Provide Humidity

If there’s one thing your potted alocaisa wants more of, it’s humidity. They positively love it! Inside the home, it will be difficult to give them too much.

The optimal humidity level for these plants is between 60 and 80%. Some hybrids tolerate as low as 50%, but south of that, you’ll start to see brown leaf tips. 

An ideal place for your potted alocasia is in a bathroom where you regularly run the shower in a window on the east side of your house. If you can swing this, your potted alocasia will be content. It will also produce the greatest amount of growth in this space. 

Tip 6: Fertilize in Spring and Summer

Alocasias are heavy feeders. When you grow them in a container, it’s important to make sure they have a steady supply of nutrients. They grow in bursts during the warm season, and it’s best to give them a boost now and then to support them during this time. 

Start fertilizing in early spring when the first new growth appears. This will happen in conjunction with more daylight hours. Then feed regularly throughout the spring and summer. As you go into fall, reduce fertilizing as your potted alocasia prepares for dormancy. 

Fertilizing in fall and winter can overwhelm your plant. It won’t take in the nutrients, and they will remain in the soil and around the roots. This leads to salt buildup and root burn. 

Use either a balanced water-soluble formula (10-10-10) or a foliage formula that supports the green growth (7-9-5). Dilute it to half strength and apply every two to four weeks. You can also mix some slow-release fertilizer into the top inch of soil in spring. This will gently release the nutrients over a longer period. 

Tip 7: Clean Your Leaves

Many houseplant owners neglect this one step, and it’s an important one. Alocasia leaves are large and collect dust and other particles on their surface. All of this can contribute to pest issues, but there is a larger issue. 

A dusty coating on your leaves prevents them from breathing well, and it slows down photosynthesis. You should clean your potted alocasia leaves about once a month, or sooner if you notice they need it. 

There are a couple of methods for cleaning your leaves. I prefer to put mine in the shower and rinse them well now and then. This feels natural to the plant and won’t cause stress. The alternative is to take a soft, damp cloth and gently wipe the tops of the leaves. 

Make sure you handle them with care if you clean your leaves by hand. Some varieties have sensitive leaves that tear easily, and touching them causes stress. Tougher varieties will stand up well to this method of cleaning.

Tip 8: Rotate the Pot

You may notice that your potted alocasia grows toward the sun. The leaves will face outward toward their light source, unless it is too intense. What this creates is a plant with leaves that face only one direction: out. 

If you rotate your pot, the leaves will switch directions and grow the other way. If you do this consistently, they will grow more evenly. You’ll have a more attractive and well-balanced plant. Turn your pot about ¼ of the way around, every one to two weeks. 

Tip 9: Repot Regularly

Potted alocasias are particular about their root space. They like to be snug, but not root-bound. What this means for you is a little more work. Overall, this is a low-maintenance plant, so repotting now and then isn’t a big deal.