Mature individual leaves can reach an impressive foot in length.
Its only possible to grow alocasia wentii outdoors in the warm USDA hardiness zones 8 to 10.
However, if you’ve got the option to offer the right conditions, this is aneasy-to-grow houseplant.
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Too much direct sun can lead to unsightlyleaf scorch.
Too much shade can result in spindly, leggy growth or send your plant into premature dormancy.
Consider using grow lights to see the biggest, healthiest foliage if your home isn’t bright enough.
A north or east-facing window usually works well.
If the morning light is intense, using a sheer curtain to filter the suns rays helps.
Outdoors, positioning under a tree canopy or on a sheltered pergola or patio prevents too much sun.
When growing this species as a houseplant, thepotting soilshould be rich and airy.
Some alocasia enthusiasts useLECA (lightweight expanded clay aggregate)as a sustainable potting medium.
Water
Even moisture is the key to nurturing a thriving alocasia wentii.
While you dont want the soil to dry out fully, watch out for soggy conditions.
Once the top inch or two of soil is dry, its time to water.
Check moisture levels using your fingers a couple of times a week.
However, they get their common name hardy elephant ear because they can handle colder temperatures than many alocasias.
A crucial component of alocasia wentii care is keeping humidity levels high, between 60 percent and 70 percent.
This can be one of the trickiest elements of growing these plants.
Grouping tropical plants together and using pebble-filled water trays can help.
Fertilizer
Alocasia are heavy feeders.
Use a balanced, liquid houseplant fertilizer.
Pruning
There arent any onerous pruning requirements for the alocasia wentii.
Simply remove unhealthy, dying, or dead leaves.
Its best to repot in the spring or summer during the active growth phase.
Select a pot that is 2 to 4 inches bigger in diameter than the original pot.
Overwintering
Typically, alocasia wentii is grown as a houseplant.
However, growing them outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 10 is possible.
If ground temperatures drop below freezing, digging up the plants tooverwinter indoorsor in a greenhouse makes sense.
They can then go back outside when the last frosts of spring are over.
These plants are grown for their large, fantastic foliage.
Individual flowers tend to last around two weeks.
What Does Alocasia Wentiis Flowers Look and Smell Like?
How to Encourage More Blooms
A flowering alocasia wentii is rare.
If conditions allow it, keeping your alocasia wentii outdoors increases the chance of it blooming.
If humidity levels arent high enough,spider mitescan be a problem for alocasia species.
Also watch out formealybugs,fungus gnats, andaphids.
Common Problems with Alocasia Wentii
Alocasias are known for being rather finicky.
While alocasia wentiiis one of the easier varieties to cultivate, it still encounters problems when conditions arent right.
Look out for these signs that you’re gonna wanna alter an aspect of their care.
Too much water leads to root rot, and too little water results in yellow leaves that then drop.
Dry air and too much sun can also discolor the glossy green foliage of your alocasia wentii.
These plants often go dormant during the winter months, especially when growing outdoors.
Dropping leaves on houseplantsduring the growing season can be the result of a variety of care issues.
Again, consider if you are getting the balance right with watering.
You want even moisture without the soil being soggy.
Underwatering and pests can also lead to this unsightly problem.
Alocasia wentii can grow to be up to 10 feet tall outdoors.
Even indoors, mature plants can reach 5 feet with impressively large, glossy foliage.
Be aware thatphilodendronsanddieffenbachiacontain the same toxic crystals.
Alocasia wentii is one of the rarer alocasia varieties.
While you wont find it in many big box retailers, you could order from online specialist nurseries.
Aroidiaresearch.org
Are Plants in the Alocasia Genus Poisonous?National Capital Poison Center
Alocasia.North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.
