Alocasia Zebrina is a member of the Araceae family, within the Alocasia genus. The Alocasia genus has more than 80 species of foliage plats within it, and each varies widely in shape and size. Alocasias are perennial plants that keep their form and foliage all year, making them wonderful house plants. While they do flower occasionally, the flowers are inconspicuous. Alocasia Zebrina’s beautiful, large leaves and the striking Zebra striped stems are their signature attraction.
Alocasia Zebrina originates from the Philippines, where it naturally grows as a tropical under-story plant, in warm and humid forests.
Alocasia Zebrina varies in size, depending on age and growing conditions. A mature plant (around 4 years old) growing outdoors in a suitable climate can reach a height of 3 meters, with a 1-meter spread. Indoors, a potted Alocasia Zebrina will be much smaller (some as small as 30cm high) and will grow in line with the conditions and pot size available to it.
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Alocasia Zebrina Care
Alocasia Zebrina care can be a tough balance to find. They tend to drop leaves when they’re in the right conditions and as a plant with few leaves, to begin with, this can be quite a challenge. However, they also recover quite quickly and grow fast in the right conditions so don’t be shy to play around and find what works best for you.
The main elements to consider are light, humidity, temperature, soil, watering and feeding. Once you have a good combination of these and find your balance with Alocasia Zebrina, they will simply thrive! Read on to learn how to care for Alocasia Zebrina.
The ideal conditions for Alocasia Zebrina
Location, Space, Light, Containers and Potting Mix
All plants need certain, unique, conditions to grow and thrive. Indoors, it can be difficult to get the conditions just right. However, putting some thought and effort into creating the right environment for your plant initially, will save you huge amounts of time and effort in the long run!
Alocasia Zebrina is a standing plant, with large leaves on tall, spindly stalks. They seldom have more than five leaves at a time and do not spread wide. As such, they need more room to grow vertically than horizontally.
Alocasia Zebrina does best in bright, indirect/filtered light. They need warm, humid conditions and minimal air movement. This means they do well in brightly lit areas that are somewhat protected from drafts and air conditioners, which can dry out the air and cause too much movement for the plant’s long stems to support.
As with any plant, it will take some trial and error to get the conditions just right. Don’t be afraid to try out different locations and conditions, just keep a close eye on your plant and see what works best for it. Alocasia Zebrina will show you quite quickly if it is not entirely happy so pay attention and switch things up if it starts to look a little sad.
Your home and the natural climate where you are situated will determine much of what you need to supplement or accommodate for your plant but the following points will make a good starting point and you can adjust as needed in your location.
Space and Location
Alocasia Zebrina will require vertical space to grow and a moderate amount of space to spread. The top of the plant spreads but the stalks grow from the center of the base, which remains small. How much space your Alocasia Zebrina needs will be determined by the size of the plant when you get it more than the plant’s potential size as a mature plant. Bear in mind that it will grow upwards more than outwards and that it needs good air circulation and it must have plenty of light.
Light Requirements
Alocasia Zebrina needs bright, indirect or filtered light. They naturally occur in the understory of tropical forests, where they are partially shaded by taller plants but still get a lot of natural light. Indoors, they will do well near a window in a well-lit room. The light should be bright and plentiful but indirect or filtered by a curtain or blind. Direct, hot, sun is to be avoided as it will scorch the leaves and damage the plant.
It may be necessary to rotate the plant every so often if the light source comes from only one direction – this will help the plant grow symmetrically and ensure that all sides of the plant have an opportunity to benefit from the light.
Wiping the leaves down with a damp cloth to remove any dust or grime will also help the plant to make the most of the light available to it. In lower light conditions, this should be done frequently.
Temperature and Humidity
Alocasia Zebrina prefers a warm and slightly humid environment. Temperatures between 15 and 30 Celsius (59 to 86 Fahrenheit) is ideal.
Humidity levels of 60% and higher are best but it will be fine around 50% if you can mist the leaves or use a pebble tray to supplement the moisture in the air around the plant. In dry climates or during unusually dry conditions, a humidifier may be necessary.
Alocasia Zebrina does not tolerate the cold well. In winter, it is best to keep it away from cold drafts and air conditioners to make sure it stays warm.
Choosing the right Container
Like other Alocasias, Alocasia Zebrina does not need too much space for the roots to spread. They will do well in a pot that is a snug fit for the root ball, without being so small as to become root-bound.
When repotting, go up a size smaller than you would for other plants. Usually, a pot one inch bigger than the current pot will be fine. However, if the plant is very root-bound and you have long roots coming out the bottom of the current pot, you can go up by two inches.
The container must drain well and be a suitable size and weight to support the height and width of the plant, without toppling over. As a top-heavy plant, it is important to make sure the container is heavy enough to support it, without being too big.
As long as they drain well, pots made from ceramic, terracotta or any other heavy material will work best. Use a heavier material and keep the size appropriate, rather than using a much larger pot made from a lighter material. Large pots tend to have too much potting medium in them in relation to the volume of the root system and will become waterlogged, even in a well-draining container.
The best potting soil for Alocasia Zebrina
Alocasia Zebrina, like other Alocasias, needs a growing medium that is light, airy and very well-draining. A “5:1:1 mix” (5-parts bark, 1-part potting soil or peat moss, and 1-part perlite) will work well, as it makes a light, oxygen-rich, well-draining mixture that still retains some moisture for slow release and will provide a little organic nutrient too. The pH level should be acidic to neutral (5.6 to 7.5) for best results.
How to Care for Alocasia Zebrina
Watering, Feeding, Pruning and Repotting
Once you have your location, light, temperature, humidity and potting medium right – the ongoing maintenance begins!
Alocasia Zebrina has a reputation for being a tricky plant to keep happy but it really doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. In the beginning, you may lose a leaf or two but the plant will recover if you adjust your care routine to fix the problem. Play around a little, see what works for you and your plant and do more of that!
We recommend that you use the following as a starting point and then adapt and adjust as needed. There are no fixed rules and you can mess around until you find a balance that works well for you.
Watering
Alocasia Zebrina should be kept consistently moist (but not wet). They do not need to dry out completely between watering and should be allowed to retain a small amount of moisture at all times, but they can’t stay soaked for too long either. Wet roots that sit in wet soil for prolonged periods will develop root rot.
A general rule to follow is to allow the top 2.5 cm to dry out between each watering (stick your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle to test this). It is a good idea to look at the bottom of the pot too, sometimes the top will be dry but the bottom is still wet. If the bottom is wet, hold off a little longer before you water the plant again.
Avoid overwatering, as it will lead to root rot, where the roots rot and die, often killing the plant too. If you notice that the plant has become waterlogged, allow it to dry out completely or re-pot it and cut away any dead roots before replanting it into a pot (and potting mix) that drains very well.
Pruning
A can’t perennial and evergreen, Alocasia Zebrina does not need to be pruned back in the winter. They will go dormant but they will not die back. This means you can tidy the plant up and remove any old or dying leaves but it is not necessary to cut the plant back. The best time to do this is at the beginning of spring when temperatures are rising and the days are getting longer. This allows the plant to focus its resources on new growth, rather than maintaining old, unhealthy, leaves.
It is important to use clean, sharp, tools if you will be cutting stems. This helps to prevent infections and minimize any shock to the plant during pruning.
Feeding
Fertilizer for your Alocasia Zebrina can be applied every two to four weeks from spring to late summer. Use a liquid fertilizer, which contains a more or less equal ratio of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (look for equal NPK numbers on the bottle) diluted to half strength. Do not fertilize during the winter, when the plant is not actively growing and won’t take up the fertilizer, as this will lead to a build-up of salts in the growing medium. Organic options, such as ‘worm castings’ or ‘worm tea’ work really well and are less likely to harm your plant if you overdo it.
Common Problems and Controlling Pests and Diseases
Alocasias are not particularly prone to pests and diseases. Keeping them healthy, clean and correctly watered is usually enough to keep them safe and happy. The following are good practices to keep in mind:
- Water from the bottom (unless you are doing a foliar feed) and allow it to dry out quite well before you water it again. Make sure the pot drains freely and that no water is left in the tray/cover pot.
- Keep the temperature and humidity as low as possible, without damaging the plant. Bacteria and fungi thrive in hot, wet conditions. Keep as much air circulation as possible to allow oxygen to the plant.
- Do not overcrowd your plants. Infections can spread from plant to plant so keeping them further apart will prevent this.
- Use clean, sharp tools when you prune your plant to prevent infections and minimize shock to the plant.
- Re-pot as seldom as possible to prevent shock and when you do have to re-pot, transplant the whole root ball without breaking the roots apart.
Identifying and Treating Common Pests and Diseases
However, even the best-kept plants may occasionally suffer from diseases and pests. Alocasia Zebrina, like all Alocasias, is prone to the following:
- Xanthomonas Bacterial Leaf Spot is a common problem in Alocasias. The spots appear on the leaves as dark lesions, which sometimes have a yellow halo around them. They can appear anywhere on the leaf. Treatment is tricky but copper fungicides and bacterial sprays can work. The best method to use is to cut away affected leaves as soon as the lesions appear to prevent the spread of the bacteria. Dispose of the infected leaves away from other plants and sterilize your tools.
- Root Rot will occur in overly damp conditions. Make sure the plant dries out between watering and that the soil drains well. If the plant isn’t looking well and there are no obvious pests or infections, pull the root ball and soil away from the pot and check to see how wet the soil is at the bottom of the pot. If the soil is wet, check the roots to see if any have rotted and died. Cut these away and re-pot the plant. Water it once and allow it to dry out completely.
- Rust is a fungal infection characterized by brown spots and a red powdery substance that looks like rust on metal. The brown spots develop first and the powdery substance develops later on. Rust occurs when there is not enough sunlight for a warm, humid climate. However, increasing the amount of light/sun once the disease is established will not help and it will progress further, killing off the leaves and damaging the plant further. The best method of treatment is to remove the affected leaves as soon as you see them and dispose of them away from other plants. Allow the plant to dry out before watering it again and water it from the bottom when you do.
- Mealybugs, Scale, Aphids, and Spider Mites – These pests are commonly found on foliage plants and Alocasia Odora Variegata is no exception. The best way to treat these is by cleaning them manually off the leaves with a damp cloth and warm, soapy water. Natural remedies, such as Neem Oil, are another safe and effective method. Spray the leaves and stems with the Neem Oil mixture and then wipe them down gently with a washcloth to remove the insects.
Frequently Asked Questions – Common Problems and How to Fix Them
When your Alocasia Zebrina looks a little unhappy but not actually sick, it usually comes down to light or water:
Why are my Alocasia Zebrina leaves curling?
Curling or slightly droopy leaves indicate that the plant needs water. If you haven’t watered it in a while or it has been particularly hot and dry, it may be time to give it a drink.
If you have recently watered it and the soil still feels moist, you need to be cautious of overwatering and root rot. Do not water it more, just because the leaves are curling! Check the root ball first.
Why are my Alocasia Zebrina leaves yellow?
Yellowing leaves indicate too much OR too little water. Check your soil, check how often you have been watering and adjust in the opposite direction. If you have been watering frequently and the soil is damp, allow it to dry out before watering again. If you haven’t been watering much and the soil is a bit dry, give it a good soaking and let it drain freely.
Why are there brown/yellow spots on my Alocasia Zebrina leaves?
Brown or yellow patches on the leaves can indicate too much light, especially direct sun. The leaves scorch and lose their green hue, with pale patches that turn yellowish-brown. Move the plant to a lower light position and make sure it has sufficient humidity. Brown or yellow, crispy leaf tips and margins indicate too little water and/or too little humidity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Alocasia Zebrina is an elegant evergreen plant with large, arrowhead-shaped leaves on long, ‘Zebra striped’ stems. They are unusual and very attractive plants that are ideal house plants as they are perennial, evergreen, foliage plants and keep their looks throughout the year.
Caring for an Alocasia Zebrina can be quite tricky, especially in the beginning, but once you have the conditions right and you have found a watering and feeding routine that works for you – they do very well indoors and will thrive with minimal attention!
Toxicity: It must be noted that Alocasia Zebrina, unlike some other species of ‘Elephant Ear’ Alocasias, is not edible. The plant cells contain sharp, needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals called raphides. Ingestion by people and animals will lead to a severe reaction where the tongue, mouth, and face swell and itch.
