Product Overview
Alocasia Zebrina – Striped Shield Plant. The bold arrow shaped leaves and distinctive, tiger –striped stems make this exotic houseplant a real talking point for your home. Alocasia grow from rhizomes, each rhizome produces several leaves, and rhizomes are easily divided to create new plants. Alocasia will flower, but they are mainly grown for their spectacular foliage. Not the easiest plant to keep, but with a few secrets for success, you can enjoy this plant for a long time. Keep it warm in a bright position, and all should be ok.
Summer care: Alocasia dislikes both harsh sunlight and dark gloom, so requires bright, indirect light. When actively growing, Spring to late Summer, then Alocasia like to be kept moist, not soggy or dry. The best approach is to water little and often, with tepid water. Rainwater or soft water is better than tap water. Alocasia will struggle in dry air so it helps to increase the humidity around your plant. This is best achieved by placing on a saucer filled with decorative stones. This will increase the moisture in the air around the plant. Misting the plant will also increase humidity, again replicating its natural habitat. Average room temperatures above 18c are ideal. Fertilise once a month with a half strength diluted liquid feed while growing.
Winter care: To keep your Alocasia from going in to its dormant state and dying back then you must make it believe that Winter hasn`t come. Keep it warm, away from cold draughts, and continue to keep the compost just moist. Don`t fertilise. If it, unfortunately, isn`t convinced then it will die back quite dramatically. However don`t panic, keep it warm, in a bright place, but give it much less water. Allow the top 2-3cm of soil to dry between watering. The plant should hopefully recover and show new growth as the days lengthen and temperatures start to rise. Don`t fertilise while dormant. Repot in Spring every 1 to 2 years. Make sure to use a good quality, free draining houseplant compost. They don`t mind being slightly pot bound. The plant sap contains irritating calcium oxalate crystals that are present to deter animals from eating. Problematic to children and pets if consumed. Causes irritation and swelling in the mouth. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
