Alocasia (Elephant ear plant)

Beautiful Alocasia houseplants

The Alocasia, also known as Elephant's Ear, is a trendy houseplant that is becoming increasingly popular! It gets its name from its imposing leaves that strongly resemble the ears of an elephant.

Originally from the tropics, this tropical plant grew in the lush rain forests where it served as a natural shelter from heavy rainfall. The Alocasia evolved into a "natural umbrella" thanks to its impressive leaves that can sometimes reach 1.5 meters in length.

Maintaining an Alocasia does require some attention and dedication. This makes it a suitable choice for the true plant lover. Elephant ears require regular and sufficient water, where the soil does not dry out. With careful attention to our care tips, you can enjoy the beautiful Alocasia for a long time. If you consider in advance that caring for this plant may be a challenge, it may be wiser to choose a plant with fewer requirements. Perhaps one of our easy houseplants then what's up for you!

Is an Alocasia air-purifying?

The Alocasia is known for its air-purifying properties. Like many other houseplants, the Alocasia can help improve indoor air quality. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during the photosynthesis process. In addition, they can filter certain pollutants from the air.

Is the Alocasia poisonous?

Unfortunately, the Alocasia contains toxins. The plant contains oxalates, which can cause irritation when ingested. These oxalates can cause irritation of the mouth, throat and digestive system.

Keep the Alocasia out of the reach of pets and children and make sure they do not come into contact with the plant. If parts of the plant are accidentally ingested, it is advisable to seek medical attention immediately.

It is always wise to inform yourself well about the possible toxicity of houseplants, especially if you have them in your home where children or pets are present. In this case, check out our animal-friendly houseplants.

Can the Alocasia start flowering?

The flower of an Alocasia is not often encountered. A flowering Alocasia is a special phenomenon that indicates that your plant is doing very well. Because producing flowers takes a lot of energy, it is often better to cut off the flower. That way, the Alocasia can use that energy for strong growth of the leaves and roots. That way, your plant will continue to look healthy and vibrant.

Different types of Alocasia plants

There are many different Alocasia species, from small to very large! So there's a suitable Alocasia for every living room! At Green Bubble you will find many different Alocasia species to choose from.

Alocasia Wentii

The Alocasia Wentii is an unusual plant. Its leaves are green with a red glow. We have the Wentii in medium size, which is 80 cm!

Alocasia Portodora

We have this tough version with multiple trunks. This way your Alocasia Portodora a solid eye-catcher and will definitely stand out!

Alocasia Zebrina

With its unusual striped stems, this houseplant is truly our all time favorite. The Alocasia Zebrina is an outlier in its appearance.

Alocasia Cucullata

The Alocasia Cucullata is an absolute top houseplant from the tropics, and with its arrow-shaped, bright green leaves, it makes quite the splash.

Caring for an Alocasia

The Alocasia is a plant that requires just a little more dedication than the average houseplant, making it the perfect choice for true plant lovers. One important thing to know is that the plant can drop water droplets. This is called guttation, which unfortunately cannot be prevented. If you have a wooden floor, it is good to take this into account!

The Alocasia thrives in a humid environment. The plant stores water in its stems, providing moisture to the cells in its large leaves. In addition, the Elephant Ear needs plenty of sunlight. In short, the Alocasia is a plant that likes to be in the spotlight.

If you care for the Elephant Ear lovingly, you can enjoy its unique character and impressive tropical foliage for a long time. Investing time and attention in the Alocasia will certainly result in a beautiful and healthy addition to your plant collection.

Watering an Alocasia

The Alocasia is a plant that hates dry soil. It thrives best in slightly moist soil, which means regular care is necessary. Preferably give the Elephant Ear plenty of water weekly, but make sure the roots are not constantly in water to avoid root rot. A convenient way to check if the Alocasia needs water is to use a moisture meter or water meter.

Also pay attention to the plant's signals: drooping leaves may indicate a lack of water, while a yellow edge on the leaves may actually indicate too much water. Start with small amounts of water and observe how the plant responds, as water needs can vary depending on factors such as humidity and light levels. Since the Alocasia loves moisture, occasional watering is also recommended to maintain its beautiful green color.

The perfect location for an Alocasia

The Alocasia thrives best in abundant direct sunlight. Place the Elephant Ear close to a window where the plant receives adequate full sun. If the plant does not receive enough light, the stems will stretch in search of more sunlight. This growth toward the light can lead to overly long stems that may break due to the weight of the leaves.
The plant thrives in a warm and humid environment. Avoid placing Elephant Ear near a stove or radiator, as dry air is not desirable for houseplants. So a perfect location is near a window and away from heat sources.

If you notice that the plant is showing dead leaves, don't panic! The Alocasia regularly shed old leaves. With enough light, new, fresh leaves will soon appear.

Repotting an Alocasia

The Alocasia is a fast grower and therefore needs regular repotting to thrive optimally. Repotting provides the Elephant Ear with more space for new roots and additional nutrients. When you decide to repot your Alocasia, it is advisable to choose a pot that is at least 20% larger than the original growing pot or old pot the plant was in. This extra space encourages healthy growth and reduces the risk of drying out and root rot. When repotting, always use a waterproof inner sleeve, vulcastrat and a moisture meter.

Ideally, the plant should be repotted in spring or summer. During these seasons, the plant has more energy to repair any damage and adapt to its new environment.

Pruning an Alocasia

The Alocasia is a self-sustaining plant that naturally shed old leaves. This process usually starts with the lower leaves, which turn brown at that point. To keep the Elephant Ear looking fresh and vital, you can prune these old leaves by cutting them off about 4 inches from the base. This pruning method encourages the plant to grow new, healthy leaves quickly.

Over time, you can easily remove the last piece of stem, as it will dry out on its own. If the Alocasia becomes too wide for your space, you can also prune the outer leaves in the same way as you did with the old leaves. By doing this regularly, the Alocasia will maintain its attractive appearance and provide a tidy and healthy appearance in your home.

Nutrition for the Alocasia

Are you considering adding your Alocasia plant food to give? Then do so according to the instructions only in spring and summer. In the fall and winter, your Elephant Ear rests and does not need additional nutrition. Be careful never to overfeed as this can have adverse effects on the plant.

Diseases in the Alocasia

The Alocasia can be susceptible to spider mites if the air in its environment is too dry. To prevent spider mites on the Elephant Ear, it is essential to mist the plant regularly. By misting the Alocasia, you minimize the chance of spider mites trying to establish themselves on the plant. Should this preventive measure not be effective against spider mites, it always remains an option to apply chemical or biological pesticides consider. Recognizing and dealing with pests early will help maintain the health and beauty of your Alocasia.

Buy Alocasia houseplants at Green-Bubble

Are you planning to buy a beautiful tropical Alocasia? Buying an Elephant ear plant is easy at Green Bubble! The moment you buy an Alocasia, you obviously want the most healthy and beautiful looking plant. At Green Bubble we work hard every day to deliver the best plants to our customers. All the Elephant ear plants we sell are always fresh from the grower!

We get totally happy with a happy customer and a healthy plant. You want to buy a beautiful Alocasia but don't feel like going to the garden center? Luckily you can easily order the Elephant ear online at Green Bubble. This way we make sure you never have to drag a plant around again!

Ease of ordering and beautiful houseplants is what Green Bubble stands for. Want to buy a beautiful tropical Alocasia? Join the Green Bubble!