Alocasia macrorrhizos is an easy-care and decorative green plant that is well suited for those with a lot of space.

Alocasia macrorrhiza can grow quite large and wide, but indoors it tends to stay smaller and grow more slowly. The leaves can grow to around 1.8 metres long and up to 1.2 metres wide. It is very easy to care for, making it especially good for beginners.

Botanical description.

The species is called Alocasia macrorrhizos, although it is sometimes called macrorrhiza. The species has its natural range from central Malaysia to Queensland (Murray Islands).

The plant was primarily cultivated by Austronesian peoples as a source of starch, along with species such as Amorphophallus paeoniifolius , Colocasia esculenta , and Cyrtosperma merkusii .

Alocasia macrorrhizos can be distinguished from the similar Alocasia odora (Asian taro) by its open leaf base (naked sinus), a longer flower stalk (appendix), and the fact that it usually grows alone rather than in groups.

Care.

This plant comes from a tropical climate and naturally thrives best in tropical temperatures and high humidity.

Temperature

But it also copes well with normal indoor conditions. It should not be exposed to temperatures below 5 °C at night and preferably at least 15 °C during the day. However, it should not be left in temperatures above 35 °C for any length of time.

Water

This plant wants to be evenly moist at all times; the substrate should never dry out completely.

If kept as a potted plant (especially in a window), water sparingly during the winter. The combination of cold and too much moisture can weaken it and cause the roots to rot.

Nutrition

Fertilize during the growing season, approximately from May to September. If you do not provide additional lighting during the winter months, the plant will grow very little, or not at all, from October to April, and then it will not need any nutrition.

You don't need any special fertilizer, regular potting soil with NPK and micronutrients works great.

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