Alocasia wentii
Alocasia wentii · Araceae
📷 Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around alocasia wentii and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- Spring-summer (discreet inflorescences)
- Adult size
- 60 to 90 cm in height
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Indoor plant (13-27 °C)
- Origin
- Southeast Asia (Papua New Guinea)
- Soil type
- Rich, well-draining, slightly acidic
Expert tips
The key tip
L'Alocasia wentii a besoin d'un substrat très drainant (mélange écorce, perlite, terreau) et d'arrosages réguliers mais jamais stagnants : laisse sécher le premier centimètre entre deux arrosages. Elle déteste les courants d'air froid et les déplacements répétés, donc trouve-lui un endroit stable avec lumière indirecte vive. Augmente l'humidité ambiante en groupant les plantes ou en posant le pot sur un lit de billes d'argile humides.
The common mistake
La majorité des jardiniers noient cette plante : les racines pourrissent en 2-3 semaines si le substrat reste humide constamment. Le piège, c'est d'arroser par routine au lieu de vérifier l'humidité réelle du sol.
The pro's trick
Utilise un morceau de bois ou un bâtonnet à tracer de jardinier enfoncé dans le pot comme indicateur d'humidité : retire-le avant d'arroser et observe à quel niveau le bois est sec. Ça prend 30 secondes et c'est infaillible.
Seasonal watch
En automne et hiver, réduis l'arrosage et diminue la fréquence : si la pièce est chauffée et l'air sec, les feuilles jaunissent des bords et les acariens s'installent. Vaporise légèrement une à deux fois par semaine et aère régulièrement pour éviter l'aridité stagnante.
Care
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season (spring-summer) by keeping the substrate moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in fall-winter when the plant slows down. Use lukewarm, non-calcareous water if possible: alocasias are sensitive to it.
Light exposure
Place it in bright, indirect light, away from direct sun rays which scorch the leaves. A spot near an east or west-facing window is ideal. It tolerates partial shade but grows better with plenty of light.
Soil and substrate
Use rich, organic matter-based potting soil that is light and very well-draining to prevent root asphyxiation. Enrich it with sphagnum peat and perlite (40% potting soil / 30% peat / 30% perlite).
Fertilizer
Feed it once a month during the growing period (April to September) with diluted balanced liquid fertilizer. In winter, stop feeding: the plant goes into dormancy.
Pruning and maintenance
Remove dead or yellowed leaves as they appear. Pinch young stems to encourage branching and a more compact shape. Regularly clean the leaves with a damp cloth to keep them shiny.
Diseases and pests
Watch out for spider mites and mealybugs, especially in dry air. Mist the foliage regularly to maintain humidity. Root rot appears if you overwater: let it dry slightly between waterings.
Did you know?
Alocasia wentii owes its name to German botanist Gustav Went, who studied Southeast Asian plants in the 19th century. In its natural habitat, it grows under the forest canopy as an epiphytic or semi-epiphytic plant, hence its love of air humidity and its slow but majestic growth indoors.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.