Everything You Need to Know About Growing Alocasia with Round Leaves
The Alocasia plant genus is well known for its unique shaped leaves and large size. Within the genus, the Alocasia variety with round leaves has become extremely popular in recent years. If you’re considering adding one of these tropical beauties to your indoor plant collection, this article will cover all the basics on caring for Alocasia with round leaves.
Overview of Alocasia Round Leaf Plants
Alocasia produce arrow-shaped or heart-shaped leaves atop tall stalks. The round leaf varieties are prized for their perfectly orb-like foliage. Some common varieties within this group include:
- Alocasia ‘Polly’ – Medium green round leaves up to 10 inches wide on sturdy stems.
- Alocasia ‘Pink Dragon’ – Pink-tinged round leaves with veins of deep burgundy.
- Alocasia ‘Black Velvet’ – Dark chocolatey leaves with a velvety sheen.
From my experience growing these beauties, the round shapes and dramatic colors make them real showstoppers in any indoor space. Their tropical jungle vibe instantly lifts the mood. However, achieving their full beauty does require some specific care.
Light Requirements for Alocasia Round Leaves
Bright, indirect light is key for healthy growth. These plants originate from humid tropical forests, so full sun can scorch their delicate leaves. On the other hand, low light will lead to stunted growth and legginess. Place your round leaf Alocasia near an east or west-facing window to catch plenty of natural light each day.
I’ve found supplementing with a grow light during fall and winter helps mine thrive when natural light is limited. Alocasia need a minimum of 6 hours of light daily. Be aware that new leaves unfurling may temporarily cup or twist if light levels aren’t high enough at the start.
Watering and Humidity Tips
I’ve sadly killed a few Alocasia by underwatering in the past. Their large leaves lose moisture quickly. It’s key to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Check the top inch of soil daily and water thoroughly when it starts to dry out.
The tropical rainforest environment these plants evolved in has extremely high humidity. Recreating those conditions indoors is essential for long-term health. Use a pebble tray or humidifier to maintain 50-60% humidity around the plant. Lack of humidity will cause brown crispy edges and tips on the leaves.
Additionally, only use tepid water that’s at room temperature when watering. Cold water can shock the plant. In the winter when heating kicks on in homes, the dry air indoors makes humidity maintenance even more critical for round leaf Alocasia.
Soil and Fertilizing Requirements
An airy, well-draining potting mix is best to prevent root rot from overwatering. I like to use a mix of potting soil, perlite or orchid bark, and compost. Repot yearly in spring into a container with drainage holes just 1-2 inches larger than the current root ball. Overpotting can cause soggy unhappy roots.
Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with a diluted liquid houseplant food. Too much fertilizer can actually burn the delicate leaves, so it’s important not to overdo it. Feed even less in fall and winter when growth slows. In terms of pests, occasionally check for spider mites which can plague these tropical beauties if care is neglected.
Tips for Optimizing Growth and Health of Round Leaf Alocasia
Following these additional tips will help your plant thrive to its fullest potential:
- Propagate by dividing rhizomes or take cuttings in spring to increase your collection.
- Wipe leaves weekly with a damp cloth to remove dust. Their fuzzy surfaces collect gunk easily.
- Rotate the plant every few weeks so all sides grow evenly.
- Prune off unsightly or crispy brown leaves at the soil line as needed.
- Repot only when roots emerge from the drainage holes for best growth.
Hopefully this basic primer covers all the basics on caring for Alocasia with round leaves! From my experience, with the right growing conditions these plants can get pretty huge. So make sure to start with a sizable container. Their gorgeous unusual foliage make them a really cool conversation piece. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions!
So in summary, provide bright but indirect light, keep the soil constantly moist, and maintain high humidity. With regular feeding and pruning, your round leaf Alocasia should thrive for years as a beautiful and unusual houseplant. Their prime tropical appearance is totally worth the bit of extra care. Enjoy your new plant friend!
Alocasia Round Leaf Care Table
| Common Names | Light Needs | Watering | Temperature | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant Ear, Polly, African Mask | Bright, indirect light. Protect from direct sun. | Allow soil to dry out between waterings. Water when top 1 inch of soil is dry. | Minimum 60°F. Thrives between 65-80°F. | Prefers 50-70% humidity. Mist leaves if humidity is low. |
| Soil | Well-draining, rich potting mix. Aroid or orchid mix recommended. | Fertilize | Every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer with diluted liquid fertilizer. | Pruning |
| Prune off browned or dying leaves. | Repotting | Every 1-2 years in spring. Pot with drain holes, 1-2 inches larger. | Pests | Watch for scale, mealybugs or spider mites. Treat with neem oil or insecticide if needed. |
FAQ
- What kind of soil does an alocasia round leaf like best?
Alocasia round leaf plants basically prefer soils that drain well so the roots don’t sit in soggy mud. A rich, well-draining potting mix is usually best. You could use a regular houseplant potting soil or make your own mix by combining peat moss, perlite or vermiculite, and compost.
- How much sunlight does an alocasia round leaf need?
These plants sort of need on the bright side. They will do fine with medium to bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sun could scorch the big round leaves. So put them in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade, near an east or west window. Is that fair?
- How often should you water an alocasia round leaf?
As a rule of thumb, water when the top inch or two of soil is dry. In spring and summer when it’s warmer, you’ll maybe need to water every 5-7 days. But in winter when it’s cooler, water less often- perhaps every 10-14 days. Overall, it’s best not to have a set schedule and go by how the soil feels.
- What kind of fertilizer does an alocasia round leaf prefer?
Most plant experts suggest using a balance all-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer during the growing season, from spring to fall. Dilute it to half or quarter strength and fertilize every 4-6 weeks. Too much nitrogren can cause yellow leaf tips, so go light on the feeds. An organic alternative is compost tea.
- Does an alocasia round leaf need pruning or trimming?
Generally, no pruning is necessary for these tropical plants. However, you may want to trim off any brown or mushy leaves as they occur to keep the plant looking its best. And it won’t hurt to take cuttings occasionally for propagation. “Hey, does anyone need an alocasia?”
- Is an alocasia round leaf poisonous to pets or children?
Unfortunately, yes – all parts of the alocasia round leaf plant, including the sap, are considered poisonous if ingested by pets or kids. The sap can cause a burning sensation in the mouth or even swelling of the throat if eaten. So keep it out of reach of curious little mouths and paws!
- Why are the leaves of my alocasia turning yellow?
Numerous things can cause alocasia leaves to yellow, but overwatering is a common culprit. Be sure the soil fully dries out between waterings. Are you fertilizing too much? Excess nitrogen especially can burn the leaves. Maybe try moving it to a brighter spot too. Sometimes plants just get stressed. Check the roots for root rot just to be safe.