Are you looking for a unique houseplant to liven up your home? You may like to consider the alocasia calidora, commonly referred to as an elephant ear plant. This exotic plant is easy to care for, and with the proper growth tips, you can help it reach its full potential. Let’s look at how to care for an alocasia calidora plant.
What is a alocasia calidora?
The alocasia calidora, or elephant ear plant, is an exotic-looking houseplant that features large heart-shaped leaves that are lovely and glossy. These plants are easy to care for and are perfect for anyone who’s looking for a large plant as a centerpiece to a living room, office, or waiting room.
The alocasia calidora belongs to the Colocasia genus of plants, which are part of the Alocasia family. These plants belong to the same botanical family as other large tropical plants such as philodendron and taro. Common Alocasia varieties include Alocaisa Taro, Alocasia Melo, and Regal Shield.
The name elephant ear comes from the fact that the plant has large leaves, which are said to resemble the ears of an elephant. It was originally native to southeastern Asia, Indonesia, and Australia, but today can be found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide.
The alocasia calidora is a perennial plant meaning it will live for several years if cared for properly. Many homeowners reach for this plant when they want to
create a tropical look on their porch or patio. Alocasia calidora can be grown outdoors if you live in a climate that has hot temperatures year-round. They also work well as indoor plants if you do not live in such a climate. The leaves can grow as big as two feet wide and three feet long on some plants.
Alocasia calidora plants can be grown outside in USDA zones 9b to 11. These plants generally reach a height of between 5 and 9 feet outdoors. When grown as a house plant, their growth will be stunted slightly, and they will grow to approximately 3 to 5 feet tall.
How to care for a alocasia calidora plant?
Alocasia calidora plants are very easy to care for. The following tips will help you grow a healthy and thriving plant indoors or outside.
Sunlight requirements
When caring for an alocasia calidora, you want to make sure it has enough sunlight. It needs at least six to eight hours of sunlight each day.
Watering needs
You also want to make sure your alocasia calidora plant gets plenty of water, but wait until the soil is dry to water again. The alocasia calidora prefers moist soil, but you still want to avoid overwatering it. When the plant goes dormant during the winter months, you will only need to water it once or twice a month.
Fertilization
When caring for an alocasia calidora plant, it’s recommended that you provide fertilizer once a month during the growing season to support its growth. In the winter, these plants will become dormant and don’t need to be fed.
Soil
Alocasia calidora plants will do best in soil that is slightly acidic and has a pH level of between 5.0 and 6.5. This type of plant can grow in many soils, but does not grow well in clay soil or soil with high amounts of sand. It’s best to use good quality soil with some organic matter that’s loose and well-draining.
Temperature and humidity
When growing alocasia calidora as a houseplant, keep the temperature between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not expose it to cold drafts or extremely hot temperatures as this can damage its leaves and cause it to drop its leaves.
Alocasia calidora plants mostly need humidity levels of around 50 percent. There are several ways you can increase humidity levels, including placing pebbles in the saucer of your alocasia calidora plant or adding water to it daily.
Propagation
You can propagate an alocasia by taking cuttings from the plant and putting them in moist soil. You will want to wait until springtime, or once the danger of frost has passed, before propagating the plant. Keep the cutting moist for several weeks until it begins growing roots.
Conclusion
Alocasia Calidora is a beautiful perennial plant that can be propagated by planting cuttings. It is native to Southeast Asia and Indonesia but is commonly grown in other parts of the world as a house plant. These plants can get very tall with the correct care and maintenance and make a great focal point in any room.