Transform your interiors into a tropical oasis with the unique foliage of the Alocasia wentii. Get an exclusive care guide below!
Native to the highlands of New Guinea, Alocasia wentii will add a touch of sophistication to your indoor garden with its hardy arrow-shaped foliage highlighted with prominent veins. Learn everything about growing this exotic houseplant indoors!
- Botanical Name: Alocasia wentii
- Popular as—Hardy Elephant’s Ear
- Reaches an impressive height of upto 5 feet
- Thrives in a temperature range of 60-86 F or 16-30 C
- Toxic to humans and pets
Alocasia Wentii Plant Profile
With its striking, dark green leaves that are accented by striking white veins and delicate ridges, Alocasia wentii is perfect for home offices, book cafes, and homes. Standing tall at a height of upto 5 feet, the plant flaunts typical elephant ear shaped foliage with a dark green hue, contrasting the exotic burgundy-purple undersides. The unique foliage shape combined with its tough, adaptable growth structure gives the houseplant its common name—Hardy Elephant’s Ear.
The 1 foot long, elegant leaves are supported by sturdy, almost cane-like stems that add a touch of drama to its overall aesthetic. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a novice gardener, the Alocasia wentii can be your best buddy.
Ideal Pot Size
When it comes to finding the perfect pot for your Alocasia wentii, the trick is to get one that is one size bigger than the plant’s root ball. Provide a container with enough room for the roots to spread—preferably a 6-8 inches pot. As the plant grows, transplant it into a 1-2 sizes larger pot.
Terracotta Pots, woven pot covers, glossy ceramics—the options are endless to complement your Alocasia wentii’s stunning foliage. Ensure enough holes at the bottom to aid drainage.
Alocasia wentii Propagation
Propagating Alocasia wentii by rhizome division is a simple and effective method to produce multiple plants from one parent plant.
- Look for a healthy plant with robust green leaves and no signs of disease or pest damage.
- Carefully dig up the plant and gently shake off any excess soil. Look for large rhizomes that have developed along the base of the plant.
- Using a sharp, clean knife, divide the rhizomes into smaller sections, each with a few healthy leaves and roots attached.
- Place the divided rhizomes in a well-draining potting mix and water thoroughly.
- Keep the soil moist and locate it at a spot that receives bright, indirect sunlight and good air circulation.
In about 2-3 weeks, you will see new growth sprouting. At this point, you can reduce watering and provide the plant with favorable conditions to grow!
Requirements for Growing Alocasia wentii
Light
Alocasia wentii loves bright, indirect sunlight for the most part of the day. Expose the plant for 2-3 hours in the morning sunlight but keep it away from the harsh afternoon heat to maintain the velvety texture of the foliage. Extended exposure to direct sunlight will burn the leaves, turning them brown and dull, losing that sharp and edgy appearance.
The Northern or Eastern windows can be the plant’s ideal place with a few hours of morning sunlight.
Soil
The trick to growing stunning, razor-edged Alocasia wentii is to get a medium that retains moisture without making it soggy. Grow the plant in a well-draining, moist medium with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6-7.5. The ideal blend would be equal parts of peat moss, perlite, and coarse sand enriched with a handful of compost.
Water
This tropical plant prefers to be kept evenly moist but not soaking wet. A good rule of thumb is to water when the top inch of soil is dry, depending on the weather conditions. To hit the perfect balance, follow a deep watering session every week and let the water drain away, wetting the medium thoroughly.
Temperature & Humidity
Native to the tropics, Alocasia wentii thrives in warm temperature conditions— the ideal range is 60-86 F or 16-30 C. If your place experiences temperatures below 55 F or 13 C, keep the plant away from windows or use heat lamps to induce some warmth. Locate the plant away from heat or cold drafts to avoid temperature fluctuations.
To exhibit the best foliage, ensure the plant gets a minimum of 50-70% humidity indoors. Consider misting the plants or using a humidifier to compensate for the drier days.
Alocasia wentii Care
Fertilizers
The plant doesn’t require regular fertilizing to feed its appetite if grown in a nutrient-rich medium. However, you may shower the medium with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/4th its strength every 3-4 weeks during the spring and summer. Keep from fertilizing in the colder months as that will burn the foliage due to salt build-up in the soil.
Pests and Diseases
Alocasia Wentii is susceptible to several pests, including spider mites, mealybugs, and scales. Inspect the plant regularly to detect these pests early on and prevent an infestation. Use neem oil spray or horticultural soap to bar off the nasty pests.
Root rot is the most common disease affecting an Alocasia Wentii. This disease is caused by over-watering or poor soil drainage that could be kept in place with controlled watering and maintaining proper air circulation.
