Unusual Alocasia zebrina with black leaf stems.

This plant is a cultivated variety of the highly popular Alocasia zebrina. It has unique black leaf stems and veins on the undersides of the leaves.

Just like the common Alocasia zebrina, it has upright leaves that can grow up to 60 cm long. The entire plant can reach a height of about 1.8 meters, but thanks to its narrow, upright growth habit, it still remains quite compact.

Botanical description.

The species originates from the rainforests of the Philippines, where it grows in sparse parts of the forest, often near rivers.

The dark color is due to an overproduction of anthocyanins, the same pigments that usually give the plant its characteristic patterns on the stems. In this variety, the pigments become so intense that parts of the plant appear completely black, even though the pigments are actually reddish.

Care.

Alocasia zebrina black stem thrives best in bright light, but not in strong, direct midday sun. It does best in a spot with bright, indirect light, for example right by an east or west-facing window, or slightly to the side of a south-facing window. A little morning sun is usually fine, and during winter it can handle a bit more direct sun without any problems.

The soil should never dry out completely, but it must absolutely not be constantly damp, as this can damage the roots! It is therefore better to water a little less and let the surface dry out between waterings. The soil should be porous, preferably with plenty of perlite and bark; our aroid soil is a good fit.

The pot for this plant does not need to be particularly large, but should be chosen so that the soil does not dry out too quickly. At the same time, the pot should not be too large, as it then becomes difficult to maintain even moisture; the surface may seem dry while the soil further down is still wet, which is not good for the roots. Buy Alocasia zebrina black stem online!