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Conservatory GreenhouseHouseplants

Alocasia zebrina

A tough, rhizomatous perennial houseplant with dark green, glossy arrow-shaped foliage and a black and white striped stem. This plant will often drop leaves which is perfectly normal as it makes way for fresh new ones.

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Black White Green
Summer Black White Green
Autumn Black White Green
Winter Black White Green
Position
  • Partial shade
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1A
Botanical details
Family
Araceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
TOXIC if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Alocasia are robust evergreen rhizomatous or tuberous perennials with large, usually peltate, leaves with conspicuous veins; insignificant flowering spathes may be followed by orange-red fruits

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Philippines

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow indoors in a potting mixture of equal parts of composted bark, loam and sand, in filtered light. Water freely in the growing season and provide high humidity by placing the container on a tray or moist gravel or pebbles. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks. Water moderately in winter. Requires a minimum temperature of 15-18°C (59-64°F) Keep out of direct sunlight to avoid leaf scorch. Plant is prone to dropping leaves to make way for new ones

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 23°C (73°F) as soon as ripe. Propagate by division in spring or summer. Propagate by stem cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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