Alocasia

Alocasia Cuprea Care Guide | Top Tips!

July 21, 2020 by Hayley Leave a Comment

Alocasia Cuprea Breakdown

Light: Indirect light
Watering: Regular but don’t allow to sit in water
Humidity: Medium to high
Soil: Well draining
Native to: Borneo
Other names: Red Secret, Elephant’s ear

Alocasia Cuprea belong to the Alocasia plant family and is becoming one of the more popular of its species. With the surface of its leaves having a metallic sheen and the undersides a red glow, the Alocasia Cuprea is more and more being used to decorate homes with. However, compared to other plants, this one does take a bit more effort to look after and keep alive so keep reading for our Alocasia Cuprea care guide.

Humidity

As this plant is native to Borneo it may come as no surprise to you that it prefers higher levels of humidity. If you live in a drier environment then we would recommend using a humidifier as arid air can dry out the leaves of this plant relatively quickly which can cause irreparable damage. If you don’t want to use a humidifier then there are other things you can do to increase the humidity for your plants.

Our first tip would be to place your plant on top of a watered pebble tray to try and create a micro climate around your Alocasia. You can also leave jars and bowls of water dotted around your plants and we have found that misting can help them tremendously.

Watering

Your Alocasia Cuprea will want to dry out a little bit between waterings, however it is a plant that needs regular waterings. If you leave it to dry out or forget to water it then you will see damage. A great way to water this plant is from the bottom up rather than watering the stop of the soil. This way the plant can take in the moisture it needs. Just like with most plants, even though it likes to be watered regularly this doesn’t mean it should be sitting in soggy soil.

Light

Placing this plant in direct sunlight will cause the leaves to scorch and burn, especially if this is a south or west facing window. Instead these plants require indirect light. In its natural environment it would grow under the canopy of other trees on the forest floor so providing it with shaded and dappled light will help to recreate its natural environment.

Temperature

Keep your Alocasia Cuprea away from drafts as they don’t like to be cold and far from radiators and heating systems as this can cause them to dry out. The ideal temperature for your plant would be somewhere around 20°C. It can tolerate warmer temperatures as long as the air does not become too dry but will do badly if the temperatures drop too low.

Soil

As with most plants that are regularly watered you will want a well draining soil so that excess liquid can leave the plant and your roots don’t become soggy. We would also recommend adding perlite to your soil for aeration.

Fertiliser

Make sure that you only fertilise your plant during the growing season and leave it during the winter months. Feeding your plant once a fortnight should be enough and make sure that you dilute the strength of your fertiliser as a plant feed that is too strong can cause burning on the leaves.

So to summarise, in order to adequately take care of an Alocasia Cuprea you will need:

Dappled light
Regular waterings
High humidity
Well draining soil
Diluted fertiliser

If you follow these basic tips then your Red Secret plant should thrive. If you find it struggling then change things one by one so you can see what makes the difference to your plants health. If you change everything at once it can be difficult to know what worked and necessary, and what is just a coincidence.

Alocasia Cuprea FAQ

Hopefully you’ve found our Alocasia Cuprea care guide useful and you feel ready to go and care for your beautiful metallic plant. However if you still have a few questions then be sure to check out our Cuprea FAQ to see some of the most commonly asked questions.

How do you care for Alocasia Cuprea?

Alocasia Cuprea like indirect light, high humidity, frequent waterings, diluted plant feed and warm comfortable temperatures.

Can you propagate Alocasia Cuprea?

Rather than taking cuttings it is better if you propagate this plant via root division. Wait until the original plant has grown more sections then take your plant out of its pot, gently pull the section apart being very careful not to break the roots and replant your new section.

Why is Alocasia Cuprea called Red Secret?

This plant gets it’s nickname Red Secret from the deep reddish colour that it has especially on the underside of the leaves.

Are Alocasia Cuprea fast growing?

Alocasia Cuprea definitely isn’t known as a fast grower, instead you will find it grows relatively slowly but if you care for it it will keep growing and putting out new leaves.

Why are the leaves of my Alocasia Cuprea burning?

They could be burning for a number of reasons, the main two being light and fertiliser. If your plant is in direct sunlight this can scorch their leaves. The other main reason is that you’re using a fertiliser that’s too strong. Instead try and dilute your fertiliser and see if that makes a difference.

Is an Alocasia Cuprea appropriate for a beginner?

A beginner may struggle with this plant as their first plant but this doesn’t mean that it’s not appropriate. If you follow the care tips and seek advice if you encounter any issues then there is no reason that a beginner couldn’t look after this plant.

If you have any other questions regarding the care for your Alocasia Cuprea then be sure to leave them in the comments below and we’ll answer them as quickly as possible. Alternatively if you see someone’s questions in the comments below and think you could help them then please feel free to jump in.

How Big Do Alocasia Get?

March 25, 2020 by Hayley Leave a Comment

How big an Alocasia will get depends on the type that you have and the care that you are able to provide it with.

If grown under the right conditions some Alocasia are able to get to four metres tall which makes them a fantastic floor piece for any room. Their leaves can grow up to twenty inches. Couple that with their appearance and this makes for a very dramatic looking plant.

Of course some Alocasia grow more than others so when you get one you should decide what size you would like them to get to and this may have an effect on which one you choose to buy if their appearance hasn’t already done this.

Our next point is that this can be achieved if the Alocasia is grown under the right growing conditions.

Some questions that you need to ask include: Does alocasia need sun? Does it need humidity? What temperature will it grow best in?

You can read our more indepth care guide to learn how to best grow your Alocasia but some quick answers to these questions are:

An Alocasia needs light but not direct sunlight. This plant will do best in indirect bright light or even partial shade.
Humidity will definitely help your plant to grow and stay healthy. If you live in a drier region then try recreating humid conditions in your home.
Alocasia prefer to be warm so try growing them in a room that will stay warm in your home.

If you follow these basic steps then you will hopefully be able to grow a large healthy Alocasia maybe even up to an impressive four feet in size. If you would rather your Alocasia stay small then have a look into which types don’t grow as much, stay away from fertiliser and you should be fine.

Does Alocasia Need Sun?

March 25, 2020 by Hayley Leave a Comment

Part of Alocasia care is ensuring that your plant gets enough light. Yes the Alocasia does need sun but it doesn’t need direct sunlight. Instead the Alocasia prefers indirect light to even partial shade. An east or west facing windowsill if perfect for an Alocasia but keep an eye on your plant to make sure it’s not receiving too much or too little light. That way you can keep your Alocasia as an indoor plant.

If you don’t have access to east or west facing light sources then a south facing window is fine, but if you have strong sunlight consider buying a sheer curtain to filter the light or place the plant further back from the light source to avoid scorching and damaging the plant.

You can even place your plant further into your room and don’t have to leave it on the windowsill in order for it to thrive. Alocasia are so interesting they can make fantastic centre pieces or floor plants.

Light isn’t the only thing that this plant needs to survive and thrive. It also likes to live in warmer conditions so if you have a cold or drafty home then you may need to consider purchasing a different plant or seeing if you can create an area in your home that is warmer than other rooms. If you are able to do that then that spot if where your Alocasia will need to live.

They also like moisture in the air, which means if you don’t live in a humid environment you may need to try and create one. You can do this through buying a humidifier, placing water trays around your plants or misting your plants regularly. All of these things help to promote the right conditions for your Alocasia to grow well.

If you do want to start keeping Alocasia then the most important thing is that you understand how they grow and what conditions you need to create to help them to thrive.

Is Alocasia An Indoor Plant?

March 25, 2020 by Hayley Leave a Comment

An Alocasia is both an indoor and an outdoor plant all it needs is the right environment to help it thrive.

As Alocasia originate from the subtropical regions of Asia and Australia if you want your Alocasia to be an outdoor plant then you need to live in an area with similar temperature and weather conditions.

If you do live somewhere that is warm and humid then there is no reason that you couldn’t keep your Alocasia outdoors.

However this doesn’t mean that it can’t also be an indoor plant.

If you do not live in a region where your plant can have its needs met outside in your garden then there is no reason that you can’t keep it indoors instead and it can be kept as an indoor plant.

If you are going to keep an Alocasia indoors make sure that it has a light source, your home is kept warm and if you can offer it any humidity then it will grow successfully.

So in answer to the original question, yes an Alocasia is an indoor plant but it’s also an outdoor plant. You just need to make sure that you provide it with the right growing conditions and it should thrive.

If your plant isn’t in the right conditions it can show you by wilting or developing yellowing leaves. If this is the case then you’ll find yourself asking do I cut off yellow leaves? So to prevent this from happening try to provide it with the right conditions but it you’re enable to don’t worry because your plant will tell you.

The most popular Alocasia that people are choosing to keep as a houseplant it the Alocasia Polly. This plant is rising in popularity due to its almost prehistoric looking leaves. The aesthetics of the leave make it look like something out of this world, like it belongs to the Earth millions of years ago and has no right existing now. Having such an interesting appearance makes it a fantastic houseplant for plant enthusiasts.

If you live in a subtropical region you don’t have to keep your Alocasia outdoors, you can still choose to keep it inside or you could treat yourself and keep some in your garden and some in your home. It all depends how much you love the plant and how much you want it around your home and land.

Personally here at OSERA, we love the Alocasia plant family and can’t get enough of them. If we were based in a warmer area we would definitely be planting these as much as we could.

Alocasia Care

February 4, 2020 by Hayley Leave a Comment

alocasia care

Alocasia Breakdown

Place of Origin: South East Asia
Other Names: Elephant ear, African mask
Watering Requirements: Regular watering
Lighting Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight to partial shade
Humidity Requirements: High humidity
Soil Type: Loose aerated soil

Alocasia are a plant family that originate from the tropical area of South East Asia and Eastern Australia. In recent years they have become more popular as houseplants due to their distinctive foliage and tropical aesthetic. Alocasia care isn’t too difficult but it does require you knowing your stuff so you can provide them with the optimum cultivating conditions.

Alocasia Care

As mentioned above you shouldn’t have too many problems caring for an Alocasia, but it is still important to get their growing conditions right.

They are a tropical plant so are used to warm, humid environments. We want to try and recreate this in our homes so they have the best chance of success.

Alocasia Lighting Requirements

The lighting requirements will vary depending on the type of Alocasia you buy, but generally these plants like bright indirect sunlight to partial shade. If you’re not sure then a west or east facing windowsill should give you plant the light it needs but do make sure you check out the individual plants needs rather than assuming that all Alocasia are the same.

Alocasia Watering Requirements

Just like many other tropical plants, the Alocasia is a plant that likes to be kept moist so you will need to water it regularly. Do not let the soil become soggy but do not allow it to dry out either.

Regular waterings throughout all seasons is required however you will need to do so less during the winter months.

Alocasia Humidity Requirements

As this plant originates from the tropics it may not be a huge surprise to you that they prefer higher humidity. If you have a room that receives a lot of humidity and is warm like a bathroom where you shower regularly then this could be a good placement for your plant.

If you are planning on keeping tropical plants like an Alocasia then you may want to consider investing in a humidifier. You can group the plants that need the most humidity close to the humidifier, or even invest in a couple.

You will see the best growth if you can keep your Alocasia in an environment that is both warm and humid.

Alocasia Soil Type

Alocasia require a well draining soil to allow moisture to move through without it becoming soggy. We would recommend using peat moss or perlite to keep the soil from being heavy. Espoma Organic Perlite that you can find on Amazon is a great perlite that you can use in your soil.

Fertiliser

Too much fertiliser can damage the leaves of your Alocasia, so only fertilise from spring through to the autumn. Do not fertilise throughout the winter.

As this plant is more sensitive to fertiliser, make sure you dilute the plant food to half the strength to avoid leaf burning.

Repotting

Alocasia like to be root bound, so keep them in a smaller pot for longer before repotting. You can repot them once a year at the start of the growing season. Simply find a pot the next size up from the one your plant is in and repot it. Then repeat this the next year at the start of the growing season.

Propagation

Alocasia can be propagated through root division. Simply take your plant out of its pot, work the soil away from the roots and then gently split the plants into segments being careful to separate the roots and not cause any damage in the process.

Common Types Of Alocasia

If you’re considering buying an Alocasia but aren’t sure which one to get then here are some of the most common types that you will encounter.

Alocasia Amazonica

This is probably the Alocasia that you will most readily recognise, it is also known as an Alocasia Polly.

Alocasia Adora

This type of plant is popular for it’s enormous leafy foliage.

Alocasia Cuprea
Alocasia Nebula
Alocasia Robusta
Alocasia Sinuata
Alocasia Reversa

Alocasia FAQ:

Now that you have read the care guide, these are some of the most commonly asked questions that we encounter about this species of plant.

How do you water Alocasia?

Wait for the top two inches of soil to dry out before watering. Water slowly and thoroughly until the soil is sufficiently moist. Do not allow the plant to sit in wet soggy soil but make sure that it is consistently moist.

Why is my Alocasia dropping leaves?

If you notice dropping leaves then don’t panic, this is quite common for this type of plant. When the plant is young it is likely to drop a leaf when it produces a new one.

You need to worry if you notice your leaves looking scorched or burnt which can indicate that it is receiving too much light or fertiliser.

Do Alocasia need sun?

Different species of Alocasia need sunlight to varying degrees. Some species prefer direct sunlight while others prefer a partially shaded environment. A west or east facing windowsill should provide the right amount of light for your Alocasia but it’s best to check on a plant by plant basis.

How do you fertilize Alocasia?

As mentioned above these plants can be sensitive to fertiliser so you will need to dilute the feed to at least half of its strength. Only fertilise during the growing months and do not fertilise during the winter.

Are Alocasia toxic to pets?

Alocasia plants can be incredibly toxic to children and pets, so if you have young children or cats that are likely to pick at and eat the leaves then this may not be the houseplant for you. In some reactions consuming the leaves can cause irritation however in more severe cases this can lead to difficulties breathing and can be very dangerous.

Are Alocasia sustainable for the environment?

Recent articles have pointed out how collecting houseplants from tropical regions can do more harm for the environment than good due to having to import these specimens into the country.

If this is something that you are concerned about then don’t hesitate to contact your local nursery or gardening centre and see where they get their plants from. See if you can source a company that grow their plants in your country rather than shipping houseplants in.

If you’re feeling torn to the extent that you don’t want to cause damage to the environment but you really want to add an Alocasia to your collection then why not find someone else who wants this plant and do some root division or propagation. You can even grow the plant yourself and divide out segments for your friend and family so more people can have access to the plant without having to ship it in from abroad.