Alocasia Species Guide

🌿 Alocasia

📘 Botanical Background

Previously referred to by various names in early taxonomy (Colocasia, Schizocasia, etc.), Alocasia is a genus of tropical, broad-leaved plants known for their architectural foliage and underground rhizomes or tubers. There are over 100 recognized species, primarily found in humid, forested environments.

🌏 Natural Range

Native Regions:

Source: https://www.aroidpedia.com/alocasiasrsltid=AfmBOooc5T57DSko9gcojywYBSszJ6P48okAejpiqmJVkwm1FjMKmsf8

Southeast Asia, the Malay Archipelago, Northern Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

Countries Found:
India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, China (including Taiwan), Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and northern parts of Australia.

🌱 Environment

Climate Profile:
Prefers warm, rainy environments—ideally 70–95°F (21–35°C) with high humidity and consistent rainfall (over 2,000 mm annually). Some species tolerate cooler, high-altitude forests due to constant moisture.

Preferred Terrain:

• Shady forest floors

• Moist, leaf-litter-rich soil

🔬 Plant Structure & Function

Foliage Forms:
Large, shield-like leaves often arrow- or spear-shaped, with striking veins and textures. The leaf structure aids in light capture under dense canopies.

Source: https://www.exoticrainforest.com/Alocasia%20zebrina%20pc.html

Growth Habit:
Most grow from rhizomes or tubers, producing a crown of leaves. Some develop tall stalks; others stay compact and ground-hugging. Alocasia will readily produce corms which can be divided to create more plants. 

Flowering Style:
Alocasia blooms consist of a spadix (a rod-like structure) surrounded by a hooded spathe. Some emit strong scents—sweet or funky—to attract pollinators. A few species can even generate heat to help spread their aroma.

🔁 How Alocasia Spreads

Natural Reproduction:

• Offsets ("Pups"): Side shoots from the main plant

• Corms: Underground storage units that sprout new growth

• Division: Large plants can be split at the rhizome

• Seeds: Rare in cultivation but possible through pollination

SOURCE: https://www.reddit.com/r/alocasia/comments/17ntu3y/alocasia_frydek_variegata_corm/#lightbox

Breeding & Hybridization:
Selective crossing has produced many ornamental hybrids since the 1800s. This is how we get dramatic cultivars like Alocasia ‘Polly’ or Alocasia ‘Dragon Scale’.

🌿 Home Cultivation Guide

🪴 Potting Media

Try LECA and PON in Semi-Hydro setups.

For soil cultivation, use a well Draining Aroid Mix:

• Coco coir or peat moss

• Orchid bark or pine fines

• Perlite or pumice

• Optional: worm castings, charcoal, or rice hulls

Avoid: Heavy, waterlogged soils—Alocasia roots are prone to rot if not well-aerated.

💧 Watering & Humidity

• Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy

• Best RH: 60–80% (will tolerate lower with slower growth)

☀️ Light Preferences

• Bright, filtered light (indoors: 400–600 µmol/m²/s)

• Outdoors: dappled sun or 70–80% shade cloth

• Avoid direct sun

🌡 Temperature Guidelines

• 70–86°F (21–30°C)

• Avoid temperatures below 50°F (10°C)
  

🧪 Feeding Routine

• Liquid Feed: Dilute fertilizer with every watering ("weakly, weekly")

• Granular Feed: Use slow-release options in the soil (e.g. Nutricote)

• Can benefit from additives like calcium (dolomitic lime) and humic acid

🪴 Choosing the Right Pot

• Go small: Alocasia prefer snug containers

• Narrow and deep pots are ideal to match root architecture
  

• Self-watering setups with cache pots make care easy! 

🐛 Pest Watch

Common culprits:

• Spider mites (especially in dry air)

• Thrips

• Mealybugs

• Fungus gnats (overwatering issue)

Prevention Tips:

• Boost airflow and humidity

• Use neem oil or insecticidal soap

• Treat substrate with beneficial microbes or systemic granules if needed

List of Alocasia

Source: https://www.aroidpedia.com/alocasia?srsltid=AfmBOopcKLnceAG4V1s1hUqHNk-vBMTfhoToe31L0KaoW0jAZmEvu57j