Care Tips
Light, Soil, Humidity, Water,
Temperature
alocasia
VELVET VS. BULLATE VS. SMOOTH
Some Alocasias have soft, velvety leaves, like the Black Velvet or Frydek. Some have bullate (puckered/quilted) leaves like the Silver Dragon or Sinuata, and others have smooth thin leaves like the Azlanii or Cuprea.
As you may be able to see, characteristics sometimes overlap; for example, the Black Velvet is a little bullate in texture. This means it stores more moisture than the Frydek, which is more smooth.
Each variety of Alocasia requires its own specific care, but in general:
Velvet - Higher humidity, higher light and more soil moisture
Bullate - Higher humidity, higher drainage, moderate light, and less soil moisture
Rubbery - Lower humidity, lower light, and prefers to dry out a little between waterings; good for beginners to alocasias.
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65°F+
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60-80%
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Bright, indirect Can sometimes burn under high strength grow lights
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Water when top 1 inch is dry
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Fluffy, airy, moisture retentive. Should always be a little damp but with good drainage
Recommendations: Peat, pumice, perlite, zeolite, bark, worm castings, fern fiber, charcoal, Fluval, chicken grit, sphagnum moss
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Especially hungry and thirsty
Self-watering pots and frequent fertilization makes them happy
Consistent temperatures are a must, as lower temperatures can cause dormancy and death of leaves