Alocasia Portodora – Upright Elephant Ear

The Alocasia Portodora is a very impressive Alocasia because of her thick stems and big, beautiful, green scalloped leaves. Her leaves can be up to 60 cm across, that is why they are also known as the upright elephant ear plant. This fast growing lady will fill your room in no time and will certainly give your room a real tropical vibe!

Light☀️

Alocasias love bright indirect light and will do well near a window with filtered sunlight. This is due to the plant’s natural habitat, on the forest floor beneath the tree canopy. Direct sunlight will cause the foliage to burn or scorch. So avoid placing your Alocasia plant somewhere with direct sun for a more extended period.

Water💦

Here’s the thing about water and Alocasias: they like their soil a little drier but require high humidity. Counter-intuitive, we know… For your Alocasias optimal comfort, we recommend frequent misting with a misting bottle.

Allow the top 2 to 3 centimetres of the soil to dry between watering to ensure the plant isn’t sitting in too soggy soil. If you are not sure how much to water your Alocasia plant, water it less than more.

Another way to tell if your Alocasia plant needs watering is to look at the leaves. If the leaves are drooping or starting to wilt, this is a sign that the plant is thirsty and needs to be watered. A quick watering will help to restore the leaves to their former glory.

Alocasias will go through a dormancy period in the winter and therefore require less frequent watering. They also can be susceptible to root rot and fungal infections if their soil doesn’t have proper drainage, so we always advise potting these plants in a (nursery) pot with a drainage hole.

Humidity🌱

Due to its tropical nature, Alocasia thrives in humid environments. It is best to keep the air humidity level between 60 and 80% for it. Too low air humidity can cause an Alocasia plant’s leaves to dry out and become crispy. As a result, the leaves can eventually turn yellow and fall off.

Feed

Apply a slow release fertiliser once a month during the growing season