About
Alocasia zebrina is a resilient perennial houseplant characterized by its deep green, shiny arrow-like leaves and distinctive black and white striped stems. It is normal for this plant to shed older leaves as part of its growth cycle, making room for new foliage.
About the genus
Alocasia consists of sturdy, evergreen perennials that develop rhizomes or tubers. They feature large, typically peltate leaves marked by prominent veins. While their flowers are somewhat inconspicuous, they can give rise to orange-red fruits.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1A
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants
- Native to
- Philippines
- Toxicity
- TOXIC if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow indoors in a peat-free houseplant compost with added perlite, in bright, indirect light. Water freely and apply a general liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks from spring to autumn. Provide high humidity by placing the container on a tray of moist gravel or pebbles. Reduce watering to a minimum in winter, and keep above 15°C. See Alocasia for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed at 23°C (73°F) as soon as ripe. Propagate by division in spring or summer. Propagate by stem cuttings in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free