Grow and Alocasia Amazonica Care

Both the Alocasia Longiloba and the Alocasia Sanderiana species may be traced back to Asia, but the hybrid known as Alocasia Amazonica was developed in the Americas. This plant does not actually come from the Amazonian rainforests, despite the name that has been given to it.

Other common names for this plant include African Mask and Elephant Ear, both of which refer to the distinctive appearance of the plant’s leaves, which are hard, rub-resistant, and arrow-shaped. The term “Alocasia Polly” is used to describe this plant. The leaves will look more proportional if they are on narrow stalks.

Alocasias are tropical plants that thrive in warm, humid climates; as a result, their ideal growing conditions include soil that is rich in organic matter and has a high humidity content. They thrive in the natural world because the sun’s rays are diffused by the canopy of nearby trees.

Origin: Hybrid of Alocasia longiloba vs Alocasia sanderiana.

Alternate Names: Elephant Ear Plant, African Mask Plant, Alocasia Polly.

Alocasia Amazonica has leathery, arrow-shaped leaves that are a deep green with wavy edges and broad white or silvery leaf veins, although it rarely blossoms, especially when kept inside. As much as 16 inches in length can be attained by the leaves.

Alocasia Amazonica, like other parts of the Aroid family, prefers warm temperatures, hence it can only be kept outside in pots all year round in regions without frost. You can move your houseplant’s container outdoors to a partially shaded area if you want to give it a break from the inside environment. Before winter arrives, though, you’ll want to get it back inside.

Grow and Alocasia Amazonica Care

Alocasia amazonica light

Intense, indirect light is necessary for the plant to maintain its dark green color; without it, the plant would wither and die.

Try to locate an area that receives enough indirect sunlight indoors to sustain the plant. It will flourish with this aid. In hot, sunny temperatures, the Alocasia Amazonica can suffer from overexposure to UV light, so it’s best if you can find a spot where it won’t get direct sunlight.

Soil for alocasia amazonica

In order to keep the soil moist without making it soggy, the potting mix must be airy and have sufficient drainage. Keep the water out for as long as possible so it doesn’t get too heavy. In order to cultivate orchids, I combine equal parts of peat, potting soil, and orchid soil in the soil I use. If you want, you can substitute perlite or sphagnum moss for the peat.

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Alocasia amazonica watering

The wild mother plants of Alocasia Amazonica are always found in damp conditions since they thrive near streams and other water and organic matter sources. As a result, you need to make sure to water your alocasias regularly so that their substrate is always damp when we keep them as houseplants.

Throughout the season, alocasias need a lot of water. Your alocasia will appreciate nice water whenever you discover the top layer of soil is dry. A plant can’t survive if its roots decay from a lack of oxygen or starve from lack of oxygen if the humidity isn’t kept high enough, therefore good drainage and organic matter in the soil are essential.

Make sure your soil has plenty of organic matter and good drainage. Since it takes longer for the soil to dry out in the winter, you can cut back on how often you water the Alocasia Amazonica during this season.

Humidity – Temperature

The ideal growing conditions for the Alocasia Amazonica plant are between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit will trigger this plant to go into a dormant state because it is not cold tolerant.

Humidity levels should be kept at a high for the plant’s benefit. In some homes, reaching a humidity level of 50 percent or above may prove difficult. You can fix this issue and prevent its effects by purchasing a humidifier.

You can also create your own humidifying system by placing the plant atop a tray of stones that have been soaked in water. Alternatively, you can mist the plant on a regular basis. Moving the plant to a location with higher levels of moisture, such as the kitchen or the bathroom, may be a good idea if it is getting enough light and the relative humidity has increased noticeably.

Fertilizing

Fertilize your Alocasia Amazonica once every two to four weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. This needs to be executed. Slow-release fertilizers are another option worth considering. You can use a fertilizer that is mixed right into the potting soil, or you can use granular fertilizer that is sprinkled on top.

Regardless of the type of fertilizer used, mineral salts can build up in the soil and could cause toxicity issues, so I recommend cleaning the soil every few months. A gentle, steady stream of water is ideal for rinsing out mineral salts. It’s recommended that you let the water run for at least five minutes.

Alocasia amazonica dormant

Even if you fulfill all of these requirements, there is still a possibility that your plant will enter dormancy in the fall. However, this is perfectly normal and nothing to be concerned about. Reduce the amount of water you give the plant until it demonstrates that it is “waking up,” and then resume the normal amount of watering you give it.

Alocasia amazonica Potting & Repotting

If you want the soil to stay moist, you’ll need a container that doesn’t drain water too rapidly. Using clay or terracotta cotta pots is not recommended for Alocasia Amazonica plants since they dry out more quickly than the standard plastic pots.

Plant repotting is usually not necessary for at least two years. You should repot your plant into a container that is a size larger if it has grown significantly since you last transplanted it. Planning a move at the start of the growing season is optimal.

RELATED: Why Is My Alocasia Drooping and What Can I Do About It?

Pruning Alocasia amazonica

An Alocasia Amazonica plant requires nothing in the way of pruning, other than the removal of any sick or dead leaves. If a leaf needs to be removed, do so with clean pruning shears to avoid spreading a disease or inviting pests. A quick wipe down with some rubbing alcohol or another basic household cleaner and you’re ready to start snipping.

Alocasia Amazonica Plant Propagation

If you’re going to repot the Alocasia into a bigger pot, you might as well use the occasion to propagate more of the plant.

To achieve this objective, it is necessary to root the offsets in their own soil. Take care to find as many roots as possible that are attached to the offset, and do so without damaging the roots of the plant when you carefully lift them away from the mother plant. After you’ve successfully divided the plant, place each cutting in its own individual pot and treat it as you would the mother plant.

Alocasia amazonica seeds can be grown?

As a result of the hybrid nature of the plant, the ripe seeds in the spathe are usually sterile, so there’s little point in trying to conserve them if you happen to come into possession of a blooming Alocasia Amazonica.

To propagate more plants, you must first divide the mother plant and then harvest any offsets that develop. The only way to get the job done is this. This is best done in the spring or summer when the plant is actively growing.

Alocasia Amazonica Pest Problems

Only spider mites pose a serious pest to indoor-grown Alocasia Amazonica. If these microscopic pests are not removed as quickly as possible, the plant will become severely debilitated, and may possibly die.

Since they might spread to other plants in your home, dealing with this problem quickly is in your best interest. A spider mite pest can be easily identified by looking at the telltale web that these pests spin across the plant’s leaf. A spider mite infestation can be treated by spraying insecticidal soap or neem oil on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. Follow the instructions for how often and how much to mix the product before each usage.

Why are Alocasia Amazonica’s leaves getting yellow?

Your Alocasia plant’s yellowing leaves could be caused by one of two things. One of the most common reasons is low humidity, which may be easily fixed by adding a tray of pebbles, spraying the plant, or buying a humidifier to increase the humidity in the air.

Another reason the plant’s leaves are turning yellow is that it is producing new growth to replace the older ones. There’s no need for alarm; this is a natural occurrence. Vegetation should be trimmed down if it has gotten too large. A lack of water or an excess of it is both possibilities that could be turning the plant’s leaves to turn yellow. To avoid killing your plant from too much or too little water, it’s important to carefully assess your watering regimen.

READ: How to Care for Black Velvet Alocasia? Complete Guide!

Amazonian Alocasia is it Toxic?

Because of its overall toxicity, the Alocasia Amazonica requires toxic attention and care in its maintenance. Its high content of calcium oxalate makes it a possible source of inflammation, swelling, and a host of gastrointestinal problems.

Keep this plant out of the reach of children, animals, and people, and keep its sap off your skin to prevent irritation. Although the plant is visually appealing, it may be harmful to humans; as a result, it should be kept out of the reach of children and animals and handled by those who are prepared to risk their health by doing so.

Large alocasia amazonica

Alocasia is a plant that develops rapidly given ideal conditions and adequate care. Depending on the species, the amazonica Polly can reach a maximum height of 30 to 60 cm.

What Causes the Alocasia Amazonica Leaves to Lose Their Deep Green Color?

If your alocasia isn’t getting enough light, the leaves on the plant may take on a pale appearance. Additionally, the ribs on the foliage will get whiter as the process continues. A location that provides the plant with bright indirect light is ideal for maintaining the plant’s vibrant green hue, as this will help the plant thrive. If you want to prevent the leaves from turning yellow, which can be caused by light conditions as low as moderate, find a position for the plant where it will receive the ideal amount of light.

Why Are the Leaves on My Alocasia Amazonica Turning Brown?

The browning of the leaf edges of an Alocasia amazonica is most likely due to one of these two mechanisms. When humidity levels are too low, the plant’s outside edges will turn brown. Keeping the soil around these plants moist is essential for their development. Humidity can be increased in two ways: either by setting the plant’s pot on a tray of stones to collect water or by spraying the plant with water several times a week.

If your Alocasia Amazonica is getting enough humidity, browning around the leaf edges may be due to a buildup of fertilizer salts in the soil. Once every few weeks, or whenever salts are detected, flush the soil with a steady stream of water for about five minutes to remove them.

Why Are the Leaves on Alocasia Amazonica Turning Drooping?

If an Alocasia Amazonica does not receive enough water or light, its leaves may droop. Make sure the plant is being cultivated in bright light.

If you live in a hot climate, you may protect your plant from overheating by giving it plenty of bright, indirect light. There may not be enough water reaching the soil to maintain a steady moisture level, even if the plant is getting enough light. If the top inch of soil looks dry, give the plant a good soaking until the water runs out of the container’s drain hole.

READ: How to Care for Alocasia? Elephant Ear Full Guide!

Conclusion

If this isn’t your first time tending to a tropical plant, you should have no trouble meeting the Alocasia Amazonica’s care requirements.

Alocasia plants thrive in bright indirect light, well-drained soil, high humidity, and a regular watering schedule. The soil should be moist, but not drenched, so that the plant may thrive. Making sure you know how to assess the soil’s health is essential before you start watering.