The Alocasia Cucullata plant, nicknamed ‘Buddha’s Palm,’ is a popular houseplant choice. It has procured this unique name due to its slim stems joined to huge heart-molded leaves that appear to be waving with the smallest of breezes.
The Alocasia Cucullata is an exotic plant that has a place with the Alocasia plant bunch, otherwise called elephant ear plants. The Cucullata species is an ideal houseplant because of its smaller size than its kindred individuals.
This evergreen Alocasia is a strong and easy to care plant. Thus establishing the plant outside or inside is simple. The ornamental and vintage vibe from the Alocasia Cucullata plant makes it a famous indoor houseplant decision. Houseplant lovers plant it in a hanging basket and place it in offices or living rooms.
The species is found across south-east Asia and is used for decoration of nurseries of numerous Buddhist sanctuaries because of the conviction that its presence brings good luck and great wellbeing.
Characteristics of Alocasia Cucullata
The Alocasia Cucullata produces small white or cream-colored flowers during the summers. However, they are insignificant compared to the plant’s lush green leaves.
Alocasia cucullata is preferred as a houseplant for its unique foliage mostly. The plant can grow up to 90cm tall. The heart-shaped leaves with prominent veins grow to 15 inches by 11 inches.
The scientific Characteristics of the plant are as follow.
| Scientific name | Alocasia Cucullata |
| Genus | Alocasia |
| Family | Araceae |
| Habitat | South-east Asia |
| Common names | Crinkle-leaf Alocasia, Buddha’s Palm, Chinese Taro, Buddha’s hand, Elephant’s Ears, Chinese ape, Dwarf elephant’s ear |
Alocasia Cucullata Care Guide
You must follow this essential care guide if you want your Alocasia to thrive and remain happy and healthy.
Light Requirements
Alocasia cucullata thrives in ample, indirect, bright light conditions. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. The plant health is compromised in the shade and in too low light.
Temperature Requirements
Alocasia cucullata loves warmth. Average room temperature between 64.4F – 71.6F (18-22°C) is ideal for the excellent growth of the plant.
Alocasia cucullata is sensitive to temperature. Keep a close eye on the temperature you keep your Cucullata plant in. Avoid temperature draughts.
Humidity Requirements
Alocasia cucullata requires an environment with above-average humidity to thrive. The 65% to 85% humidity range is ideal for Cucullata.
Don’t let the humidity fall below 60%; mist the plant frequently leaves for best results. If it needs a boost, place the plant near the shower or kitchen for a while.
Watering Requirements
Little and often is a good approach when watering Alocasia. The plant’s soil should be kept moist with warm water. Do not allow the soil to dry out but be cautious not to overwater.
Soil and Fertilizer Requirements
Alocasia cucullata plant nurtures well in free, well-depleting, and a little loamy soil. Don’t keep the soil exorbitantly soggy, as it will expand the likelihood of contamination.
Apply organic and slow delivery fertilizer once per month during the developing season. Make sure not to fertilize the plant in winter as the plant does not grow actively in this season.
Alocasia Cucullata Dormancy
In the fall-winter metabolism of Alocasia, Cucullata is reduced, and the plant enters a dormancy period.
During dormancy, watering should be reduced, and the plant should not be fertilized at all.
Repotting Alocasia Cucullata
Alocasia cucullata needs to be repotted once a year as the plant likes to be root bound. Choose a container that fits the roots and let the roots remain crowded for healthy plant growth.
Repot the plant in summer and spring as it is the growing season. Do not report in winter.
Pruning Alocasia Cucullata
Alocasia cucullata may be pruned to groom the plant in the desired shape or to remove dead plant parts.
While eliminating the impacted leaves, try not to pierce the yellowed/cooked tissue as it might prompt further decay.
Prune the whole leaf off through the petiole and examine the remainder of the plant for a possible spread of the issue.
Also Check: Alocasia Zebrina Care & Propagation Guide with Tips
Propagation of Alocasia Cucullata
The best method for propagating the Alocasia Cucullata plants is splitting the rhizomes. Propagate the plant in the growing season using rhizomes.
Propagation by Rhizomes
Alocasia cucullata can be propagated by following the step-by-step guide given below.
- Set up a preparing blend containing natural, well-depleting soil and gather chlorine-free or distilled water.
- Cautiously dig around a developed Cucullata plant with the assistance of a digging tool.
- Guarantee that you dig at least 12 crawls around the plant to forestall harming its underlying foundations or the rhizomes.
- Then, delicately remove the plant from the soil and eliminate excess soil away from the plant and roots.
- You will see a few long tubers underneath the ground where the Cucullata plant was developing.
- Partition every one of these tubers. For the most part, the tubers are not difficult to isolate. In any case, if you face trouble, utilize a perfect blade or scissors to separate them.
- In a compartment, place one of the tubers and settle its foundations.
- Fill this compartment with water.
- Firm this combination with your fingers. Ensure there isn’t excessive water in the holder.
- Place this holder in a sufficiently bright spot that gets a lot of splendid dappled daylight.
- Top up the water at whatever point required and trust that the plant will develop.
- To promote development, a dash of diluted fertilizer can be added.
Patiently wait for the plant to develop. It might require up to half a month for it to grow. You can put the Cucullata plant in little pots as it prefers being marginally root-bound.
Also Check: Alocasia Micholitziana Frydek Care & Propagation Guide
Common Problems and Solutions
Yellow leaves
The yellowing of leaves can be caused by too little light, heavy soil, overwatering, or root rot. Yellowing leaves could also be the result of chemical burns or spider mites.
Clean the leaves consistently. Albeit this isn’t a big issue, the development of residue particles can clog the plant’s pores, lowering light-catching proficiency.
Wash the leaves once per month to hold levels down and work on developing circumstances.
Curling leaves and brown edges
Too little water and exposure to sunlight for a more extended period can result in the curling of leaves and brown edges.
The use of the chemical-based product has an adverse impact on plants’ wellbeing, as Hooded Elephant Ears are incredibly delicate to inorganic substances.
Brown leaf tips with yellow radiances on adolescent leaves are the result of too low humidity.
Albeit this won’t kill your plant, you might need to build the nearby dampness to keep the new development from embracing these side effects.
Mist the foliage occasionally, or a pebble tray can be used to adjust the humidity level. The browning leaf tips on more established leaves are entirely normal and are the result of broad photosynthesis during its life.
Moldy soil
Too low light conditions and overwatering can result in Mould development on the soil. This mold is not harmful to the plant but appears unpleasant to the gardeners.
Replace the top two inches of soil with a fresh organic soil blend. Increase indirect light and lower watering a bit.
In case of root rot, in addition to soil mold, lower leaves will start to turn yellow.
Pests & Diseases
Keep an eye out for pests, including mealybugs, spider mites, scale, thrips & fungus gnats. These pests locate themselves in the cubbyholes and undersides of the leaves.
Common diseases of all Alocasia are root rot, leaf-spotting, botrytis, rust, powdery mildew & southern blight.
Thoroughly check the plant for pests and use neem oil or bactericides in case of infestation.
Maintain proper growth conditions to avoid plant diseases.
Pro Tips & Info
- The Hooded Elephant Ears can do strikingly well in a few areas around the house, as long as it gets brilliant, roundabout light as a base. This species is best situated in a spot that can give a sprinkle of morning daylight, particularly in the winter.
- More is less with regards to watering. Permit the top third of the soil to dry in the middle between waters, decreasing this somewhat in the fall and winter. Over-watering during its dormancy period is a typical issue, so remember this when the colder months show up.
- Fertilize monthly in the spring and summer, decreasing this to each six in the colder months.
- Look out for Spider Mites that will frame networks on the under-leaves of the plant.
- Particularly with those kept in a dull area, wash or residue the foliage month to month to expand the light-catching proficiency – this is a mystery hack that will make all the difference in the harvest time and winter, while the days are at their briefest.
- Repot at regular intervals, utilizing ‘Houseplant’ fertilizer with some perlite; present some coarseness to reinforce their underground root growth.
- The Cucullata plant frequently sheds a leaf when it grows another one. Don’t panic; that’s normal.
- Water the Cucullata plant with room-temperature water.
- Develop the plant in a wet, well-depleting fertilized soil blend with adequate supplements.
- Allow it to be marginally root bounded for better and quicker development.
Conclusion
Alocasia cucullata plants usually have dark green leaves with a beautiful glossy appearance. The plant gives rise to dense foliage, all bunched close together, adding beauty to the house.
The Cucullata plant flourishes in splendid, dappled daylight. It requires conditions with humidity slightly greater than average. The Alocasia Cucullata plants love charmingly warm temperatures and appreciate being clouded now and again.
These wonders do best in soils that are wet and well-depleting. Provide it with ideal conditions, and your Cucullata will stay healthy and happy. Happy Gardening!!!
Frequently Asked Questions about Alocasia Cucullata
Does alocasia Cucullata have a flower?
The Alocasia Cucullata produces small white or cream-colored flowers during the summers.
Is alocasia cucullata rare?
Alocasia Cucullata is a rare plant. But rarest alocasia is Alocasia odora ‘Variegata’.
Is alocasia cucullata poisonous?
Alocasia plants contain oxalate crystals that are harmful if eaten and are skin and eye irritant. Keep out of reach of children and animals.
Should I throw my Alocasia Cucullata if it has lost all its leaves?
Do not throw your Cucullata plant immediately. Give it some time and extra attention, and it may just develop its lush green leaves back and begin to grow normally.
Why are there spots on the leaves of my Alocasia?
The Alocasias are sensitive to salts and chlorine in the water, which may cause spotting. Use distilled water to avoid leaf spotting.
How often should the Alocasia Cucullata plant be repotted?
Report your Alocasia approximately after 12 to 18 months. However, the Cucullata plants prefer to be root-bound, so do not rush.