Alocasia zebrina care guide

Why it drops leaves

Alocasia zebrina comes from the Philippines. Its glossy, arrow-shaped leaves stand on long stems striped black and white like a zebra, and indoors it grows to about half a meter to a meter.

It often drops an old leaf when a new one opens, which is normal. In winter it rests and may lose more. Keep it above 15 °C (59 °F), water much less and do not feed it until it grows again in spring. Many dropped leaves at once usually mean cold, a draft or wet compost.

Repot it in spring every couple of years, into a pot about 5 cm (2 in) wider, using peat-free houseplant compost mixed with grit, about 3 parts compost to 1 part grit. Offsets at the base can be separated in spring and potted on their own.

From April to October, water it when the top 5 cm (2 in) of compost is dry. Water until it runs out of the bottom of the pot, then empty the saucer. Turn the pot a little each time so the leaves do not lean toward the light.

In winter, water only enough to keep the compost from drying out completely. A cool, wet pot is the most common way to lose an alocasia, because the rhizome and roots rot.

Place it in bright, indirect light, close to a window but out of direct sun, which scorches the leaves. Its tall stems lean toward the light, so turn the pot a little each time you water.

From April to October, give a general liquid houseplant fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks. Stop feeding in winter, while it rests.

Keep it at 16 °C (61 °F) or warmer while it grows, away from cold drafts. In winter it can stand a little cooler, but keep it above 15 °C (59 °F). Below 10 °C (50 °F) the leaves are damaged.

Alocasias like humid air from spring to autumn. Stand the pot on a tray of gravel with water just below the surface of the stones, group it with other plants, or use a humidifier. A bathroom with a bright window also works. Dry air browns the leaf edges and brings spider mites.