Alocasia sanderiana aka Sander's Alocasia
Taxonomy
Alocasia sanderiana, also known as the kris plant or Sander's alocasia, is an incredibly popular houseplant from the Araceae family that is endemic to Northern Mindanao in the Philippines. It is classified as critically endangered in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but is commonly grown as a decorative leafy plants in apartments and offices for its unpretentious care. Alocasias, or elephant ears, are typically only able to support a few leaves at a time and grow out of underground corms. They contain calcium oxalate crystals, so it's important to keep them out of reach of children and pets.
Common names
Sander's Alocasia, Polly, Elephant EarHow to care for Sander's Alocasia
Difficulty
Sander's Alocasia requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.
Water
Sander's Alocasia should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Sander's 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 Sander's Alocasia prefers bright diffused 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 Sander's Alocasia 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 Sander's Alocasia 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 Sander's Alocasia 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
Sander's Alocasia’s native range is tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Alocasia Genus
Alocasia mortfontanensis Alocasia Polly Plant
Alocasia longiloba Rare Alocasia Amazonica
Alocasia melo
Alocasia macrorrhizos Giant Taro
Alocasia reginae Alocasia Reginae Silver
Alocasia wentii Alocasia Elephant Ears
