How to grow and care for Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don
plant care guide about watering, fertilizing, trimming, repotting, cutting, propagating Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don, Buddha's hand
Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don 101 - Plant Care Instructions
Bright direct light
18C° ~25C°
Every 4 days
Botany Encyclopedia
Genus : Alocasia
🔖 Care Tips
Guttation is a natural phenomenon often seen in tropical plants, where droplets form on leaves at night, indicating the plant may be holding a lot of water. Be cautious when watering. Young plants can be sensitive to environmental changes, so allow them to adapt gradually. For plants with large leaves, regularly wipe them to remove dust. Additionally, the yellowing of old leaves is a natural aging process and is not a cause for concern.
🏝️ Habitat Conditions
These plants grow in tropical regions around the world. They prefer warm and humid environments.
🪨 Soil Mix
Plants are sensitive to overwatering, so it's best to use soil with good aeration and drainage. For example, mix coco peat and perlite in a 1:1 ratio, or combine potting soil, akadama, mountain soil, perlite, and charcoal appropriately. Adjust the soil mix according to the situation and environment.
🌡️ Environment
This plant prefers temperatures between 18-30°C. In winter, keep it above 15°C. It likes a humid environment, so mist it or place a water dish nearby when it's dry. However, ensure good ventilation when humidity is high to prevent mold growth.
👀 Characteristics details
Plants with broad leaves are prone to spider mites and thrips. It's good to regularly wipe the leaves. While you can remove pests with a cotton swab or towel, this method has its limits. Using professional pesticides can make removal easier. Natural remedies like neem oil are safe but slow and weak in effect. In contrast, chemical pesticides are fast and effective but can be harmful to pets and children. Choose according to your situation. Using the same pesticide repeatedly can lead to resistance, so it's advisable to alternate between two or more types. Plants with large leaves are vulnerable to wind, so place them in a location with gentle wind or provide support.
☀️ Light
Small plants thrive in indirect light rather than direct sunlight. Large plants can tolerate direct sunlight. Since plants tend to grow towards the light, rotating the pot periodically helps them grow evenly.
💧 Water
Plants like humid air, but their roots can easily become overwatered. Water them when the surface soil dries out.
🌱 Propagate
Propagation is usually done through offshoot separation. It is best to separate when the offshoot has more than two leaves, gently untangle the roots, and then plant.
🪴 Repot
Since it grows quickly, it's best to repot it every spring. For Alocasia, choosing a large pot because of its big leaves is not advisable. It tends to prefer slightly smaller pots, so be cautious when repotting. It's better to use a pot that is one to two sizes larger than the current one.
💊 Fertilize
Apply fertilizer 2-3 times during spring and summer, following the recommended dosage for more vigorous growth. You may adjust the amount based on the plant's size and light exposure. Avoid fertilizing immediately after repotting; wait 2-4 weeks before applying fertilizer.
🌺 Flower
If there is enough light and high humidity indoors, the plant may bloom, but it doesn't bloom every year and flowering is rare. After the flowers fade, a large amount of pollen is released, so it's best for people with allergies to remove them beforehand. Removing the flower stalk can help the leaves grow larger.
😵 Toxicity
Be cautious with pets and young children as it is toxic.
water
How to water Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don
How often should I water?
check Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don Every 4 days if it needs water when it’s very cold (below 5℃), water less frequently
When do I need to water?
the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry
Light & Location
How much light does a Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don need?
Bright direct light
Bright indirect light
Medium
Grow light
Low
Light preference
Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don likes Bright indirect light, Grow light, Bright direct light, Medium, Low day. The brighter the space, the better this plant grows.
Check if there’s an optimal place in your house!
This plant prefers
500 ~ 20K lux to thrive!
0
20K~
500
20K
Temperature
Natural habitat
-15
3~40℃
45
Houseplants
-15
18~25℃
45
Plants that grow in the wild and those that grow indoors prefer different temperatures. If you grow Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don at home, make sure the temperature is 18~25℃.
Humidity
Ideal humidity
0
40~70%
100
Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don prefers humidity about 40~70%. If necessary, increase humidity by misting, humidifier.
Fertilize
Collective Knowhow
When should I fertilize?
Only when your plant is healthy
How frequently should I fertilize?
1-2 times in growing season. A pinch for a small pot.
Characteristic
The taxonomic classification of Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don is as follows. - Kingdom: Plantae, Phylum: Tracheophyta, Class: Liliopsida, Order: Alismatales, Family: Araceae, Genus: Alocasia, Species: Alocasia cucullata
| Characteristic Name | Characteristic Value |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | Perennial |
| Habitat | Southeast Asia |
| Taxonomy Name | Taxonomy Value |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Alismatales |
| Family | Araceae |
| Genus | Alocasia |
| Species | Alocasia cucullata |
Is Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don toxic?
Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don is dangerous to Dog, Cat, Hamster, Dog
Dog
Cat
Hamster
Dog
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