Alocasia lauterbachiana aka Purple Sword Alocasia
Taxonomy
Alocasia lauterbachiana, commonly known as the purple sword, silver sword, or baroque sword, is a tropical evergreen houseplant from Southeast Asia. It has long, glossy, spear-shaped, dark green leaves with serrated edges that can reach 20-35 inches (55-90 centimeters) in length, and can grow to a height of 3-5 feet (1-1.5 meters). It is an easy to care for plant and will decorate any home. Alocasias typically only support a few leaves at a time and grow out of underground corms similar to bulbs. It is important to note that they contain calcium oxalate crystals, so keep them out of reach of children or pets.
Common names
Purple Sword Alocasia, Spear Leaf, Angels WingsHow to care for Purple Sword Alocasia
Difficulty
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.
Water
Purple Sword Alocasia should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
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.
Lighting
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.
Dormancy
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.
Toxicity
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.
Humidity
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.
Fertilizer
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.
Region of origin
Purple Sword Alocasia’s native range is tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Alocasia Genus
Alocasia Taro
Alocasia wentii Alocasia Elephant Ears
Alocasia cucullata Buddha's Hand
Alocasia scalprum Alocasia Jacklyn
Alocasia melo
Alocasia clypeolata Green Sheild
Alocasia azlanii Red Mambo
Alocasia sinuata Alocasia Quilted Dreams
