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Alocasia & Elephant Ear Care Guides

Alocasia wants bright indirect light, consistent warmth, high humidity and soil that drains fast. It is the genus most likely to drop every leaf and appear dead, then return from the corm — dormancy is normal and is not the same as failure.

This collection includes the jewel alocasias such as Black Velvet and Frydek, which need higher humidity, and the larger elephant ear types which are more tolerant. Related genera with similar needs — Xanthosoma, Colocasia and Apoballis — are grouped here too.

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All alocasia care guides · taro and elephant ear guides

Common problems

Spider mites are the defining pest of this genus and thrive in dry air — check leaf undersides regularly. Yellowing followed by leaf drop in autumn is usually dormancy; keep the corm barely moist and wait. Constant leaf loss year-round is overwatering or cold.

See the lighting guide, or Residential Plant Concierge.

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