Zebra alocasia
Also called Zebra plant, Elephant ear.
| Light | bright indirect light |
|---|---|
| Water | Every 6 days in the growing season, every 16 in winter |
| Humidity | high |
| Difficulty | fussy |
| Height | Up to 90 cm (35 in) tall |
| Pets | Cats toxic, dogs toxic |
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Alocasia entry.
Toxic to cats and dogs if chewed. Toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The ASPCA entry covers Alocasia species. The principle is insoluble calcium oxalates, causing pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue and lips, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Keep it where an animal that eats houseplants cannot reach it, and speak to a vet if one does. In South Africa telephone the Poison Information Helpline on 0861 555 777; in the US, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.
Most alocasias are grown for the leaf. This one is grown for the stem: tall, upright and boldly barred in cream and dark brown like an animal, holding a modest arrow shaped leaf at the top. It wants warmth, humidity, an open bark rich compost and bright light out of the sun, and it will tell you very quickly if the room is too cold or the compost too heavy. It also has a habit that alarms people: in a cool dim winter it can drop every leaf and appear dead, while the corm underground is perfectly sound. Keep it barely damp and warm and it comes back in spring. Red spider mite is its other regular trouble.
Ailments observed
| Yellow leaves at the bottom of the plant | Wet compost in a cool room, or the plant going dormant in winter. Ease off the water from autumn. If it loses every leaf and the corm is firm, keep it barely damp and it will come back in spring. |
|---|---|
| Fine webbing between the leaves | Red spider mite, which finds alocasias before almost anything else. Rinse the undersides thoroughly, raise the humidity and check weekly. Dry heated air is what brings it on. |
Filed underPlants for humid air, Statement plants, Plants for a balcony or a small space
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