Alocasia micholitziana aka Green Velvet Alocasia

Taxonomy

Alocasia micholitziana, also known as the green velvet taro or green velvet alocasia, is an ornamental plant in the family Araceae, endemic to the island of Luzon in the Philippines. This whimsical plant grows to a height of 1.6 feet (50 cm), featuring 4 to 7 spectacular bright green leaves with white streaks and brownish or even purple petioles. It has underground corms similar to bulbs and its natural habitat is shady lowland forests. In nature, this plant flowers due to its need for high temperature and humidity which can be hard to replicate indoors. However, Alocasia micholitziana requires less sunlight than most other houseplants and can produce baby plants if the corm is exposed during repotting. It is important to note, however, that this plant is toxic if ingested, so it should be kept out of reach of children and pets.

Common names

Green Velvet Alocasia, Elephant's Ear, Wavy Elephant Ear

How to care for Green Velvet Alocasia

Difficulty

Green Velvet Alocasia demands precise care and specific environmental conditions, making it suitable for experienced plant enthusiasts seeking a rewarding challenge.

Water

Green Velvet Alocasia should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Green Velvet 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 Green Velvet 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 cold period, it is common for Green Velvet Alocasia to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

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.

Humidity

The Green Velvet Alocasia 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.

Fertilizer

The Green Velvet Alocasia 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.

Region of origin

Green Velvet Alocasia’s native range is tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.


More info:
Wikipedia