Alocasia cucullata aka Buddha's Hand

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Buddha's Hand is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Buddha's Hand should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Buddha's Hand loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

To ensure optimal growth, the Buddha's Hand prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

During the cold period, it is common for Buddha's Hand to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

The Buddha's Hand does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.

The Buddha's Hand should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Buddha's Hand’s native range is tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.