Alocasia care
Alocasia spp. — also called Elephant ear, African mask plant, Polly. Everything below is the same data Plantroster uses to schedule care for this species.
Care at a glance
| Light | Bright indirect. Tolerates medium. No harsh direct sun. |
|---|---|
| Water | About every 6 days in summer, every 14 in winter. Let the top 1" dry first. |
| Soil | Chunky aroid mix — 4 parts bark, 3 parts perlite, 2 parts potting mix, 1 parts coir |
| Humidity | At least 55%, happiest near 70% |
| Temperature | 65–85°F. Cold damage below 55°F; heat stress in sun above 95°F. |
| Feeding | Every ~30 days while actively growing. Nothing in winter. |
| Repotting | Every 2 years, or when roots circle the pot |
| Tap water | Tolerates tap water |
| Pets & children | Toxic. High calcium oxalate content — significant mouth and throat irritation. |
What people get wrong about alocasia
A notorious spider mite magnet. Check the leaf undersides weekly with a backlit photo.
Dropping every leaf in winter is often dormancy, not death. Keep the corm barely moist and wait for spring.
Common problems
Watch for spider mites, thrips, mealybugs. Check leaf undersides monthly — backlighting a leaf against a window is the fastest way to catch mite webbing before an infestation takes hold.
Plantroster tracks this plant's watering, feeding and repotting cadence against your actual weather — and tells you when a cold night or heatwave means moving it.
Open PlantrosterAlocasia FAQ
How often should I water a alocasia?
Roughly every 6 days in the growing season and every 14 days in winter, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule — light, pot size and your home's warmth all shift it. Evenly moist in growth, much drier in winter. Sensitive to both extremes.
Is alocasia toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. High calcium oxalate content — significant mouth and throat irritation. Keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants.
How much light does a alocasia need?
Bright indirect is ideal, and it will cope with medium. No harsh direct sun.
Why does my alocasia have brown tips?
Alocasia is not fluoride-sensitive, so brown tips here usually point to inconsistent watering or fertilizer salts built up in old soil. Flush the pot thoroughly and keep to a steadier watering rhythm.
What soil is best for alocasia?
Chunky aroid mix: 4 parts bark, 3 parts perlite, 2 parts potting mix, 1 parts coir. Aroids grow on tree bark in the wild — they want air around the roots, not dense soil.
Other plant guides
General horticultural guidance, not a substitute for inspecting your own plant. Toxicity notes are a starting point — if a pet or child has eaten part of a plant, contact a vet or poison control rather than relying on this page.