Alocasia longiloba aka Rare Alocasia Amazonica

Taxonomy

Alocasia longiloba is an impressive and striking flowering houseplant that is part of the Araceae family. It is native to China, Southeast Asia, and western and central Malesia, and is known for its enormous 'elephant ear' foliage. It has grey-green leaves with white veining that emerge from an underground corm. It may be part of species complex which includes varieties such as 'argyrea', 'korthalsii', 'lowii', and 'watsoniana', or used to produce hybrid plants such as Alocasia × mortfontanensis or Alocasia × amazonica. Alocasia longiloba must be kept out of reach as its leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals and they grow from underground corms, similar to bulbs. When repotting keep an eye out for baby Alocasias as they will only support a few leaves at a time and will continue to mature with more sun.

Common names

Rare Alocasia Amazonica, Elephant's Ears, Kris Plant

How to care for Rare Alocasia Amazonica

Difficulty

Rare Alocasia Amazonica requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Rare Alocasia Amazonica should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Rare Alocasia Amazonica 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

Rare Alocasia Amazonica requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Rare Alocasia Amazonica will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Rare Alocasia Amazonica to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Toxicity

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Humidity

The Rare Alocasia Amazonica does not necessitate supplementary humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their roots, rather than their leaves. Hence, the most effective way to supply humidity to your plants is by watering the soil.

Fertilizer

The Rare Alocasia Amazonica should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Rare Alocasia Amazonica’s native range is tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.


More info:
Wikipedia