Do you want a houseplant that looks different from your regular old ficus plant? The Alocasia Zebrina is the perfect choice for those looking for something new. This exotic-looking plant will add some life to your living room or office with its large green leaves and dark purple veins. But how do you care for this unusual specimen? Read on below to find out!
- Soil
- Lighting
- Watering
- Temperature
- Humidity Conditions
- Fertilization
- Flowers
- Alocasia Zebrina Shape
- How to Prune
- Propagation
- Potting
- Pests and Diseases
- Why Are The Leaves Drooping On My Alocasia Zebrina?
- Why Are The Leaves Turning Yellow?
- The Leaves Are Turning Brown, What Should I Do?
- Dormancy
- Growing Alocasia Zebrina Outside
- Check Out Best Selling Alocasia Elephant Ear
- Alocasia Zebrina FAQ
Alocasia Zebrine Plant Care Basics
Soil
The Alocasia Zebrina can often survive without soil, but if you want to keep this plant healthy and happy in the long run, it is recommended that you provide a small dish of potting mix for the roots. The roots may also require some additional fertilizer once or twice per month depending on how much light they get each day.
Lighting
Alocasia zebrinas are shade plants, meaning they grow best when there is not too much sunlight reaching their leaves. They should be placed in an area that gets plenty of indirect sun – a south-facing window without direct light will do just fine!
However, if your home has less natural lighting than you’d like, consider getting supplemental artificial light as well. This can help keep them healthy even during winter where it’s darker and cooler inside because of shorter days (and limited sunshine).
If you choose to use a plant lamp for this purpose, make sure it’s set on warm white or one other color spectrum; some research suggests bright yellow lights can lead to a yellowing of the leaves, which in turn may trigger brown leaf tips.
Watering
Like all plants, alocasia zebrinas need a lot of water – but you should monitor how much they get as well. The soil should be moistened every time you see the top inch or so drying out, and make sure to remove any excess moisture before watering again (or else it will pool at the base).
If your Alocasia Zebrina is in an area where there are lots of windows that allow for natural light, consider including pebbles on top of your potting mix to make this process easier! That way when you notice the top layer has been dry (and not just slightly damp), simply roll over each pebble to moisten the potting mix below.
Temperature
Zebrinas are hardy down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If your plant’s temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit when they’re outside during summer or fall, consider moving them inside for the winter months until fully adjusted again!
When daytime temps rise past 65 degrees Fahrenheit you can move your plant back outdoors if desired – be aware that this will give them less time to adjust before cold weather arrives around springtime!
Humidity Conditions
You need to make sure the plant has plenty of humidity. This plant does not like wet feet, but they require a lot of water to stay happy and healthy!
If you’re using this plant indoors for winter months or in an area where there is low humidity, consider placing it next to a humidifier or air conditioner if possible. You can also mist your aloe often with fresh filtered water as well.
Fertilization
Fertilize your alocasia zebrina plant with a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer. To do so, mix the recommended amount of solution in one quart of water and pour it into the watering can or spray bottle.
Water thoroughly as needed to reach soil level. For best results use every 14 days while inside for winter months, then weekly outdoors after moving back outside for springtime!
Flowers
The flowers are borne in a spike made up of many small yellow or greenish-yellow florets. They have an unpleasant smell. The petals and sepals can be persistent, but they also wilt and fall off very quickly after blooming.
Alocasia Zebrina Shape
This plant is usually grown as a clump with leaves that grow upward from it (partly due to being planted close together). If you’re fortunate enough to find one for sale, take great care not to disturb its roots when potting them! This will help create multiple plants instead of just one.
How to Prune
Alocasia zebrina care is relatively easy because it’s such a forgiving plant. It will tolerate neglect and overwatering if you remember to water it regularly! The leaves on Alocasia Zebrina tend to grow close together, so they need regular pruning with scissors or shears (blunt-tipped).
The goal of pruning alocasia zebrina is not just aesthetic but also functional. You want the leaves to be exposed enough that light can reach all parts of them for photosynthesis. Make sure your trimming isn’t too drastic though!
If you cut off any stem tissue below an opaque leaf node then those nodes won’t produce new foliage later on. In other words: keep some foliage on the stem to encourage new growth.
Propagation
Alocasia zebrina can be propagated by division, leaf cuttings or from mature bulbils. When propagating by division, the rhizome should be divided into sections and preferably have at least one eye on each section.
The plant will need to rest after dividing for a few days before replanting in new potting soil with fresh water. Plants that are propagated through leaves must first develop roots then they can be planted in pots of fresh potting soil with plenty of light available until large enough to transplant outside (in USDA zones 11-12) or grow indoors year-round if not frost tender where ever you live.
Potting
Potting is best done during the warmer seasons, after giving the plant time to rest. Fill a pot with fresh potting soil and gently place Alocasia zebrina in it. The container should provide plenty of room for root growth that matches how big your plant has become over its life thus far. Fertilize either monthly or every other month with a fertilizer for houseplants.
The soil should be kept moist, but not wet. Overwatering is one of the main causes of death in Alocasia zebrina plants since they can’t tolerate being underwater any longer than necessary to soak up water like most tropical house plants.
If it is needed to increase humidity, place Alocasia zebrina in a room with plenty of natural light and use a tray filled with gravel or pebbles to catch the water that is used for misting.
Pests and Diseases
The most common pest that affects Alocasia zebrina is spider mites. Spider mites are a type of arachnid and they feed on the leaves or the underside of plant leaves by piercing small holes into them to suck out their contents.
You can identify this problem when you observe yellowing, silvery webbing, or stippling on the leaves. This pest is extremely difficult to get rid of, so it’s best for you to discard this plant and start over with a new one instead.
Why Are The Leaves Drooping On My Alocasia Zebrina?
When you notice that the leaves of your Alocasia zebrina are drooping, it’s most likely because they’re not experiencing enough water or are too dry. You should mist them more often and make sure to provide plenty of humidity by keeping this plant in a room with lots of natural light. When the leaves start drooping, even more, it’s a sign that they’re too cold. You can either place this plant in a warmer area or use an incandescent grow light to help the leaves retract.
Why Are The Leaves Turning Yellow?
If you notice that your Alocasia zebrina is starting to yellow and has dark spots on the leaves, it’s likely due to a fungus. You’ll want to spray this plant with an anti-fungal agent and increase the humidity in your home by turning up the air conditioning or heating appliances if necessary. This should help keep the dark spots from spreading too quickly as well as prevent future infections of these fungal spores.
The Leaves Are Turning Brown, What Should I Do?
If you notice that your Alocasia zebrina is starting to turn brown or if the leaves are turning yellow with dark spots and then dying off completely, it’s likely due to a different type of fungus.
This time around you’ll want to spray this plant with an anti-fungal agent like neem oil. You should also increase the humidity in your home by turning up the air conditioning or heating appliances if necessary to help protect it from future infections of these fungal spores.
Dormancy
Alocasia zebrina care also includes dormancy. A dormant plant will need less water and fertilizer while in this state of rest. If you are keeping your Alocasia zebra indoors, try not to move it from room to room as plants like these need a lot of light. Don’t fertilize during their time of dormancy either.
Growing Alocasia Zebrina Outside
If you’re growing Alocasia zebrina outside during summer or fall (the plant is hardy down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit) and it’s under direct sunlight for more than four hours per day, consider moving it inside when nighttime temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
This will protect your plant from cold weather as they adjust back into their natural environment before winter arrives; if desired, move them outdoors again near springtime when days get longer so that they have enough time to fully adjust again!
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Alocasia Zebrina FAQ
Where Can I Buy An Alocasia Zebrina?
Alocasia zebrinas are commonly found in garden centers or stores specializing in plants because they’re so popular. It’s also possible to find them on eBay or Amazon, but it might take a while for the plants to arrive at your doorstep if you order from another country. Sometimes they’re sold by weight and not plant count (if this is the case, just divide their price per pound by 16).
Is Alocasia Zebrina poisonous to Dogs or Cats?
Although there is no conclusive answer to this question, it’s safe to say that alocasia zebrina will not digest or be poisonous to most animals in your home. It would take a lot of plant matter at once before any symptoms show up.
However, if you have children or curious pets who might be tempted to taste the plant, it’s best to keep them out of reach.
How to Propagate Alocasia Zebrina
If you happen to find an alocasia zebrina plant at a garden center, the chances are it’s been propagated through tissue culture. Tissue culture is when plants are grown in sterile lab conditions. They’re free of pests and diseases which makes them ideal for gardening purposes.
After taking care of your new Alocasia Zebrina plant for a year or so, you might want to propagate some more. This is how you can do that:
- Start by selecting an alocasia zebrina leaf with the largest surface area possible. The stem should be as long as possible and at least six inches tall before cutting it off from the main stalk.
- Next, cut the leaf from the stalk and get rid of any damaged parts. The stem should be straight without any signs of damage or disease. Wrap it in a wet paper towel for two days to increase moisture levels before moving on.
- Now place your cutting into potting soil with adequate drainage that’s been mixed with peat moss. Water them lightly until they’re moist then put them under fluorescent lights at an even temperature between 60°F – 75°F (16°C – 24°C). This will help ensure healthy growth rates while keeping mold out because fungus requires darkness and high humidity to grow. Remember to water every couple of weeks when you think about it instead of relying on memory!
The plant is a slow-growing houseplant that needs to be repotted every few years. It’s typically grown in bright indirect light but can adapt well to low levels of light from fluorescent lights or windowsills with artificial lighting.
You may need to water your Alocasia Zebrina Care plant less than once per week, and fertilize it sporadically as well because the soil will retain nutrients for weeks on end without watering! Just make sure not to overfeed this exotic-looking houseplant if you want its leaves to remain green and healthy instead of turning yellow.
Remember: do not expose plants like these outdoors unless they are acclimated first! If the temperature drops below 50°F (15°C) then you must bring it indoors for the winter.
Can Alocasia Zebrina Grow in Water?
No, Alocasia zebrina does not grow in water. They need to be planted in soil and watered regularly. If they are grown indoors then it is best for them to have bright indirect light but if the plant becomes too tall you may want to trim its leaves because this will help it get more nutrients from the soil instead of from the leaves.
Why is my Alocasia Zebrina Leaves Curling?
Alocasia zebrina leaves may curl up if they are not getting enough light. Make sure to place them in bright, indirect sunlight or near a window with an east-facing exposure. If the plant is indoors then you will also want to make sure that it has plenty of water so that its roots stay healthy and moist. If the plant is outdoors then make sure it gets plenty of water but also has enough room to grow.
