How and When to Repot Alocasia Plants
Alocasias bring an instant tropical vibe to any space with their lush foliage and exotic form. They make excellent, low-maintenance houseplants that live for a long time and grow quite large. Join houseplant enthusiast Melissa Strauss to discuss when and how you should re-pot your alocasias.
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Alocasias are tropical wonders that bring bold, dramatic foliage to your outdoor and indoor spaces. Though they aren’t frost-tolerant, they make excellent potted plants, so even in cooler climates, it’s nice to have these around. They’re low-maintenance and perfect for patios, sunrooms, and cozy corners.
These tropical beauties are recognizable by their trademark foliage. Alocasia plants have large, shield, arrow, or heart-shaped leaves that commonly reach upward from atop long, strong stems. Their close relative, colocasia, has a similar appearance, but their leaves typically point toward the ground. Both are often referred to as elephant ears.
Alocasia plants come in many varieties. Some are stiff and glossy, like ‘green shield,’ while others have a velvety, flocked texture, like the aptly named ‘Black Velvet.’ They also come in different colors and color combinations. Some have warm, rosy tints, others have dark leaves with pale, prominent veins, and there are even a couple of black leaved cultivars.
Because they are tropical, in most parts of the world, these need to be houseplants for at least a portion of the year. Fortunately, they don’t mind this life and are quite happy with most indoor conditions. Keeping them this way means growing them in pots, and knowing when and how to repot alocasia plants.
Timing it Right
There are two considerations to make when we talk about when the right time is to repot your alocasia plants. There is the right time in the growth process of the plants, as well as a good time of year to carry it out. Both are important, but allowing the plant to tell you it’s the right time is the more important of the two.
Alocasia doesn’t like to be root-bound and has a substantial root system. Their roots will ultimately grow in circles around the inside of your container. Crowded roots can lead to slowed growth, nutrient deficiency, and even root rot from waterlogging. The roots no longer have room to expand, and the soil dries slowly and runs out of nutrients.
You may notice one or two symptoms of this issue without actually checking inside the container. First, you can look under the pot to see if the roots are growing out of any drainage holes. If they are, they are overcrowded. Likewise, if they are growing above the soil, another indication is slowed growth during an active growth period. This results in smaller leaves and fewer of them.
If you notice any of these issues, it’s time to repot alocasia plants. For fast-growing varieties, which tend to be the larger ones, this may be every year. For smaller cultivars, they may be comfortable in their container for two years. Either way, these do need repotting on a fairly regular basis.
When it comes to the time of year, spring is best. This is when your alocasia plants are waking up from dormancy and entering a period of growth. Repotting at this time allows your plants to recover faster from root disturbance. The warming temperatures and increased daylight hours also encourage establishment in their new container.
Don’t repot in fall or winter, as this is when your alocasia plants are entering a dormant state. They slow their growth at this time, and the roots are more vulnerable to stress and decay. When you repot, you will need to keep the soil moist consistently for some time. In winter, your plant’s roots take in less moisture and can rot easily.
Size Up Your Container
Now, being that they become crowded quickly, you may be inclined to use a significantly larger pot when you repot your alocasia plants. I understand the reasoning, because it technically would cut down on work, but it’s not the best idea. When you repot, you don’t want to go too large or too small.
Alocasia plants actually prefer a snug fit in their containers. An overly large container will hold too much moisture around the roots. This is a recipe for root rot. The ideal pot leaves enough room for the coming year or two’s worth of root expansion, and little else. When you repot, choose a container that is slightly larger than the current one; going up maybe two inches in diameter is ideal.
The next important thing to remember when selecting a new pot is drainage. Alocasia plants don’t like water standing around their roots. But they do like moist soil. As a result, plant lovers tend to overwater them more than underwatering.
In addition to sufficient drainage holes, the material of the container matters. Terra cotta or unglazed clay is best, as they are porous and allow the soil to breathe. The moisture evaporates faster from these, and they have some wicking properties.
Use the Right Potting Mix
When we choose a soil to repot our alocasia plants, we want to look again at the habit of their roots. These naturally grow in tropical rainforests where they have organically rich soil that drains quickly and holds moisture. Those things sound counterintuitive, but they’re not.
If you want to go the easy route, choose a potting mix blended for tropical plants. These are typically a mixture of soil, peat, and pumice, or other light, airy materials. If you’re more inclined to create your own potting mixtures, you’ll want a combination that stays moist but drains quickly,
Use one part conventional potting soil to add nutrients and retain moisture. Mix in one part pumice or perlite for aeration and drainage. Then add one part orchid bark, coco coir, or husk chips. These also contribute to proper drainage and prevent compaction. Your alocasia plants should thrive in this type of environment.
If you want to boost the nutrient content of your soil, you can add some compost or worm castings. The resulting mixture should feel springy and coarse. Moisture should pass through without pooling. If the soil dries too fast, add more soil or coco coir.
Handle With Care
When you repot your alocasia, how you handle it can make a big difference in how quickly and how well it recovers. While they may appear big and bold, they’re actually quite sensitive and delicate. It’s best to handle your alocasia with care.
Water your plant the day before you repot. This softens the soil and makes it easier to slide the root ball out of its current container without tearing the roots. Don’t pull it out by the stems. Instead, tip the entire plant on its side, and support the base while you gently work it loose.
The root ball should slide out of the pot easily. If not, there may be some roots stuck to the inner walls. This happens easily in more porous pots where roots can take grip more easily. They will come away more easily and cleanly if they are well hydrated.
Once out of the old container, loosen and inspect the visible roots. Trim away any dark colored or mushy portions, as these are likely rotting and will affect other portions of the roots. If you find pups forming, you can separate and repot these on their own. They should have their own roots and at least one small leaf forming.
Add a layer of fresh potting mix to the bottom of your new container and then place the rootball on top. You want the top of the root ball to sit at the surface of the soil to prevent crown rot. Fill in around the roots with potting mixture, and water lightly.
Keep your repotted alocasia plants in bright, but indirect light, and humid conditions while they recover from the process. Be careful about overwatering during this time. Don’t be alarmed if a leaf or two turns yellow and falls off due to stress. This is normal.
