Alocasia lauterbachiana aka Purple Sword Alocasia

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Purple Sword Alocasia, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Purple Sword Alocasia should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Purple Sword Alocasia 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 Purple Sword Alocasia 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 wintertime, it is common for Purple Sword Alocasia plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

The Purple Sword Alocasia does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.

Once the Purple Sword Alocasia has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Purple Sword Alocasia’s native range is tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.