Alocasia zebrina is a large-leafed decorative houseplant with exotic and eye-catching striped stems. Its particular, designed stalk and huge leaves justify the epithets’ zebra alocasia’ and ‘elephant ear zebrina.’ Alocasia zebrina has a place with the Alocasia variety, part of the arum family (Araceae). Its leaves develop from the base without a trunk.
The Alocasia zebrina begins from Southeast Asia’s tropical and subtropical timberlands, especially those of the Philippines. Under ideal circumstances, Alocasia zebrina creates gender-neutral blossoms typical of the Arum sort, comprising a stem, a bract, and a bulb.
Alocasia zebrina can’t fertilize itself. Notwithstanding, if a subsequent alocasia prepares the blossoms, a berry will shape. You can involve the seeds in this berry to propagate your Alocasia zebrina.
Characteristics of Alocasia Zebrina
This evergreen, herbaceous plant can grow up to 1.5 meters tall, and structures follow deciduous leaves. The leaves are heart-formed and develop toward the end of a striking stem, usually striped green and white. Alocasia zebrina leaves can grow from 10 to 35 centimeters in length, giving a beautiful leaf design. The blossoms are, for the most part, green and white.
Scientific characteristics of Alocasia are as follow:
| Scientific name | Alocasia Zebrina |
| Family | Araceae |
| Genus | Alocasia |
| Habitat | Asia |
| Common name | Zebra plant, Alocasia Leopard, Zebrina Alocasia, Tiger Taro (gabing tigre) |
There is a wide variety of Alocasia zebrina cultivars. Some have eye-catching patterns, and others are plain. Some of the most popular Alocasia zebrina varieties include:
- Alocasia zebrina ‘Tiger.’
- Alocasia zebrina ‘Variegata’
- Alocasia zebrina ‘Reticulata’
Alocasia Zebrina Care – Step by Step Guide
Light Requirements
Bright and indirect sunlight is best for the growth of Alocasia Zebrina. Lower light is also suitable for the plant.
Temperature Requirements
The suitable temperature range for Alocasia to thrive is 60ºF to 82ºF ((15ºC – 28ºC). They can survive in high temperatures of up to 30 but cannot tolerate cold temperatures.
Humidity Requirements
High humidity is necessary for the extraordinary growth of Alocasia Zebrine. Maintain humidity >60% for a healthy and happy plant.
Watering Requirements
Alocasia Zebrina should be watered when the top half inch of soil becomes dry. Do not over-wet the soil but water in small amounts. Otherwise, the roots will start to rot.
Soil and Fertilizer Requirements
An extremely well-draining potting mix is recommended for Alocasia. Equal parts of peat, perlite, and compost work fine.
Fertilize every two weeks in the growing period with a ½-dilution of a balanced organic formula. Flush the soil every few months to avoid salt build-up.
Pruning Alocasia Zebrina
Prune Alocasia when needed. Remove damaged or yellowing leaves with sterilized scissors. Otherwise, little pruning is required.
Repotting
Avoid repotting Alocasia Zebrina unless the plant becomes root-bound. The delicate roots can easily be damaged during repotting, negatively affecting the plant.
Also Read: Alocasia Regal Shields Plant Care Guide | Elephant Ears Plant
Alocasia Zebrina Propagation by Division And Offsets
The Alocasia Zebrina is a tuberous plant that grows in bunches. The common propagation methods are either separating plant bunches or offsets and corms division.
Alocasia zebrinas are delicate, so be careful not to traumatize their roots.
Here are the Propagation steps:
- Unpot the mother plant and gently shake or wash off the soil from its roots.
- The roots should have clumps (corms) and probably some offers growing: these are the babies. These plantlets often have small developing roots that have become entangled with the larger plant; gently tease the individual root systems apart.
- Assuming you have various plants in a single pot that you might want to isolate, unravel the underground roots if possible. Attempt to abstain from tearing. If the singular plants’ foundations are too enmeshed, thoroughly cut them separated with a disinfected blade or scissors.
- Either transfer the plantlets to soil or transplant them into water.
- The new plants (and the mother plant) will go through some shock from this cycle. Give them aberrant light and screen their dirt cautiously.
- When you see new leaves, you’ll realize the plant is recuperating.
Pro Tips
- Don’t forget that your Zebrina in winters naturally goes into dormant periods. In this cycle, their leaves weaken and can die back. Water the plant less in this period – continuing with the usual amount could cause root rot.
- The plant can enter dormancy if light conditions are inadequate or the soil gets too dry. Don’t simply increase watering if the plant looks dreary; consider all its care factors.
- If the plant is being watered accurately, it should develop new leaves as fast as it loses old ones. Some shedding of mature lower leaves is normal.
- Wiping the leaves with a damp cloth is good to increase light exposure, maximize air exchange, and reduce infestations. It’s ideal to do this in the first part of the day to give the plant more than adequate drying time before sunset. Wet leaves are open invitations to pests.
Also Read: Alocasia Black Velvet Care Complete Guide # 1
Common Problems and Solutions
Drooping Leaves
Possible causes for drooping leaves may be lack of light, improper watering, lack of humidity, and root rot. Carefully inspect your plant for any of these causes and maintain optimized conditions.
Curling Leaves
Lack of humidity can result in leave curling. Do not let your plant dry, and avoid temperature drafts.
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves clearly indicate that the plant’s growing conditions are not optimal. Common causes of yellowing of leaves are root rot due to overwatering, under watering, lack of humidity, or lack of light.
Investigate your plant’s growing environment to determine the cause and make changes accordingly.
Pests
The most common insects to watch out for in Alocasia are mealy bugs, but the plant can be subject to the typical houseplant infestations of aphids, scale, or mites.
Check your plant regularly under the leaves and along the stem for suspicious activity. You will not experience difficulty detecting an invasion on the off chance that it’s far enough along to cause foliage yellowing or disfigurement.
Treat your infested plant with insecticides or neem oil.
Toxicity
Foliage and other parts of Alocasia Zebrina contain toxic calcium oxalate crystals that cause nausea, vomiting, and irritation on contact. Keep your pets and kids away from the plant.
Conclusion
The stripe-patterned stems and big leaves of Alocasia Zebrina make it an outstanding choice for a houseplant. To care for Alocasia Zebrina, avoid direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure can cause sunburn. Place the plant in indirect sunlight with a humidity greater than 60% and water regularly.
In summer, ambient temperatures of 20 to 25°C are best for plant growth. Temperature below 5°C will cause plant damage. In the winter, maintain temperatures above 18°C. Bright stairwells and partially heated living rooms are ideal for winter dormancy.
Happy Gardening!!!
Frequently Asked Questions about Alocasia Zebrina
Is Alocasia zebrina fast-growing?
Under the right conditions, it is considered a fast-grower and can grow a new leaf every 1 to 2 weeks during the active growing period.
Why is my Alocasia zebrina not growing?
If your plant is not growing, it is due to improper light or humidity or fertilization. Alocasia requires bright, indirect light; regular watering; and monthly fertilization during the spring and summer.
Can I propagate Alocasia zebrina by leaf cuttings?
Unlike other tropical aroids such as pothos and some philodendrons, Alocasias cannot be propagated by leaf cutting but can be propagated by dividing and growing its corms.
Is zebrina alocasia rare?
Alocasia zebrine (Reticulate) is a highly uncommon plant that is seldom observed in the wild.
Is Alocasia Zebrina an indoor plant?
Alocasia Zebrina flourishes indoors with the proper routine.
How do you make Alocasia grow more leaves?
The amount of light the plant receives will dictate how quickly it grows. If you want your plant to push out new leaves actively and produce the large leaves it is known for, then make sure the Alocasia is in a spot where it can receive plenty of bright indirect light.