Alocasia sanderiana aka Sander's Alocasia

Taxonomy ID: 234

Genus Alocasia Family Araceae Order Alismatales Class Liliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta

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 Ear

More information about Sander's Alocasia

How difficult is it to take care of Sander's Alocasia

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

What is the region of origin of Sander's Alocasia

Sander's Alocasia’s native range is tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.

What are the water needs for Sander's Alocasia

Sander's Alocasia should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

What is the right soil for Sander's Alocasia

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.

What is the sunlight requirement for Sander's Alocasia

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.

What's the right humidity for Sander's Alocasia

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.

How to fertilize Sander's Alocasia

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.

Is Sander's Alocasia toxic to humans/pets?

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.

What seasonal care does Sander's Alocasia need?

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.

More info:
Wikipedia • GBIF

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