Alocasia Zebrina Care & Propagation Guide

Alocasia zebrina has a very unique shape. Its plant is small, and the shape of the whole leaf is like an arrow. The veins on the leaf surface of Alocasia zebrina are dark green, and the surrounding veins are green, which will form a very unique reticulate pattern.
The most unique feature of Alocasia zebrina is its unique petiole. There are zebra like lines at its petiole, all of which are horizontally distributed stripes, which looks like zebra lines. This is also the origin of Alocasia zebrina's name.

Alocasia Zebrina Quick Info

Botanical/Scientific Name	Alocasia Zebrina
Common Name	Elephant Ear
Varieties	Alocasia zebrina Tiger, Elephant Ear, Alocasia reticulata zebrina, Alocasia Leopard, and Zebra Alocasia
Uses	Improves indoor air quality,Beautify
Origin	Southeast Asia
Light Care	Medium to bright, indirect sunlight
Soil Care	One part peat moss
Temperature Care	65-77 degrees Fahrenheit
Humidity Care	Ideal level is 60% or above
Watering	Weekly watering sessions and frequent misting
Pruning Care	Remove yellowing or damaged leaves
Fertilizer Care	Regular balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength
Propagation	Dividing and repotting the plant
Toxic	Toxic to both people and animals

Alocasia Zebrina Care in Detail

Alocasia Zebrina Watering

The growth of alocasia zebrina will not be affected as long as it is not excessively wet or often ponding. When we water Alocasia zebrina, we only need to pour it into the soil. Don't let the leaves get wet often, and ensure good air circulation in the environment.
Alocasia Zebrina is not a drought tolerant plant. If the basin soil is relatively dry and the air humidity is relatively low, the tips and edges of Alocasia zebrina's leaves are easy to turn brown, and the tips are easy to dry up. When we usually raise Alocasia zebrina, we should fully water each time, not just a little water. If only a little water is given to the soil surface at a time, Alocasia zebrina's leaves tend to turn yellow and dry. If you use tap water to replenish water for Alocasia zebrina for a long time, it is also easy to cause its leaves to turn yellow. Occasionally, you can use rainwater to wash the basin soil with a large amount of clean water every two months.

Alocasia Zebrina Soil

To cultivate Alocasia zebrina, we need to use appropriate soil. Alocasia zebrina likes to grow in loose, fertile and well drained soil, so we can use rotten leaf soil, peat soil, fine sand and other materials for mixing and preparation. We can also add an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer into the soil as the base fertilizer, which is more conducive to the growth of Alocasia zebrina.

Alocasia Zebrina Light

When propagating alocasia zebrina potted plants, we should pay attention to maintaining bright light, or ensure an environment with scattered light for about 3 ~ 5 hours every day. We must avoid direct sunlight in Alocasia zebrina. If the light is too strong, the leaves of Alocasia zebrina will be sunburned.

Alocasia Zebrina Temperature

In the southern region, it is warm all the year round, the environment is humid, and there is high air humidity. Alocasia zebrina grows faster. In winter, if the temperature is below 10 degrees, Alocasia zebrina will fall into dormancy, and if the temperature is below 4 degrees, it may be frostbitten. During winter dormancy, we should pay attention to control watering. If watering too much, it will easily affect Alocasia zebrina dormancy and even lead to root rot.

Alocasia Zebrina Humidity

Alocasia zebrina is afraid of frost. Alocasia zebrina is a tropical foliage plant. Alocasia zebrina prefers a warm and humid environment all year round. In spring and summer, the soil should be kept moist.
Alocasia zebrina is also afraid of dry air. If Alocasia zebrina is cultured indoors, the indoor air humidity will be relatively low, which is unfavorable to its growth. Alocasia zebrina's favorite ambient relative humidity is maintained above 60%.

Alocasia Zebrina Fertilizer

In the spring and summer growing season, we can supplement zebra taro with thin fertilizer every two or three weeks, nitrogen fertilizer or foliage fertilizer. The fertilization concentration of Alocasia zebrina is generally half of the usual.

Alocasia Zebrina Pruning

Usually, Alocasia zebrina pruning is relatively simple. We should maintain a high humidity environment and give soft scattered light every day to ensure that the environment is warm, well ventilated and the temperature is maintained above 15 degrees. If we find some yellow, withered or damaged leaves, we should cut them off in time, and do not carry out Alocasia zebrina pruning at other times.

Alocasia Zebrina Repotting

As a typical Araceae plant, Alocasia zebrina's leaves, petioles and tubers are poisonous. We must avoid eating by mistake. During Alocasia zebrina repotting and ramet propagation, we must pay attention to wearing gloves.

Alocasia Zebrina Pest & Disease Control

Alocasia zebrina has fewer diseases and insect pests during the growth period. Alocasia zebrina's common diseases during dormancy are: soft rot, which mostly occurs at the root and stem base. It can be sprayed with 72% agricultural streptomycin 3000 times solution, and more at the wound. The initial symptoms of white silk disease are yellow leaves, shriveled stems, and white whiskers on the soil surface and roots. Alocasia Zebrina at the beginning of the disease, we can spray 50% carbendazim 1000 times liquid or 50% tobrozine 500~800 times, spray 1 times on 10 days, spray 2~3 times, and focus on the middle and lower parts of the plant. (Find More Prayer Plant Varieties Here.)

Alocasia Zebrina Propagation

Alocasia Zebrina Cutting Propagation

Alocasia zebrina cutting promotion is generally carried out in spring with appropriate temperature, which is more convenient for management and rooting. In the Alocasia zebrina cutting promotion, we used the rhizome that has grown for many years and cut it into about 10cm for standby. Also prepare a breathable, loose matrix. We can directly insert the rhizome into the soil after preparation. Pay attention to moisturizing and heat preservation in the later stage, so that it will take root and grow leaves soon. When Alocasia zebrina grows steadily, we can transplant and colonize.
When the maintenance of Alocasia zebrina is suitable, it grows very vigorously, so the cutting method is the best. You can choose the stem to cut, and then the length is about 12cm. The base of Alocasia zebrina is oblique cut, which is also more convenient for Alocasia zebrina cutting propagation, Then the temperature of the sand bed is about 18 degrees, which is more suitable for the growth and development of Alocasia zebrina. Finally, for the cutting of Alocasia zebrina, we can spray it once every two days. We should try our best to keep the ground of Alocasia zebrina slightly wet, and the growth and survival of plants can be guaranteed.

Alocasia Zebrina Division Propagation

For the propagation of Alocasia zebrina, it is common to use the method of branching. Basically, it is OK to select the plants that have grown for two to three years for branching. Usually, we can use Alocasia zebrina division propagation, because it is relatively simple. After branching on the small plants next to us with a knife, bring more protoleaves as much as possible, Only in this way can the growth and survival of Alocasia zebrina be effectively guaranteed. For selection, it is more appropriate to separate plants in rainy season and wet soil. It is OK to separate plants in spring and autumn. Under the condition of appropriate temperature, the ramet growth of plants is relatively strong.

Alocasia Zebrina Propagation in Water

If you want to propagate alocasia zebrina, you can also maintain it by hydroponics, which is much simpler than soil culture. Because hydroponics can not only avoid its rotten roots, but also maintain high air humidity, which can also prevent Alocasia zebrina's leaves from yellowing and drooping. Zebra cultivated in soil can be transformed into hydroponic culture. You can pull Alocasia zebrina out of the soil, wash all the roots and remove the old soil. If it is found that Alocasia zebrina has rotten roots, the rotten roots shall be removed and replanted after drying the wound.
At the beginning of hydroponic maintenance of Alocasia zebrina, we can change the water every 7 ~ 10 days to maintain the water activity. Don't put Alocasia zebrina in a sunny environment. Just keep it in a place with bright light and good ventilation. Hydroponic Alocasia zebrina we must pay attention to the choice of filtered tap water, or put the tap water for two or three days. Rainwater can also be used for hydroponic culture. After 3 ~ 4 weeks of later maintenance, some slow-release fertilizers can be added occasionally.

Alocasia Zebrina Benefits

The main efficacy and value of Alocasia zebrina is a green plant of perennial herbs, which is very suitable for growing in warm and humid places. This is also a large viewing object. Alocasia zebrina has wide leaves and fresh and light flowers, which are common in families and offices. In addition to its ornamental function, Alocasia zebrina has medicinal value, so many people use it for the treatment of diseases.

Alocasia Zebrina Care FAQs

Alocasia zebrina leaves curling

If you do not control the amount of water in Alocasia zebrina well, it is easy to cause leaf curl. For the thin and large varieties of Alocasia zebrina, they should be watered frequently. They can be watered once a day during the growth period. In summer, it is usually watered 3-4 times a day. At the same time, Alocasia zebrina needs less watering in low temperature season to keep the soil dry.
The demand for light is not very high. It is easy to burn after being irradiated by strong light, resulting in leaf curling. We should shade it moderately during its growth period. Especially in hot summer, avoid exposure to the sun. You can put it in the semi shade and accept the scattered light. But you can see light every morning and evening to prevent stunting, thinning leaves and so on.
Poor air circulation will also lead to poor breathing of Alocasia zebrina, resulting in poor growth and curly leaves. We can put Alocasia zebrina in a well ventilated place. Indoor propagation can be placed in a more spacious room, and windows are opened every day to strengthen air circulation. Especially in the environment with high humidity, air circulation can reduce the risk of bacterial propagation.
Alocasia zebrina is prone to leaf spot during growth, and the leaves of diseased plants will dry and curl. We can first cut off the diseased branches and leaves and destroy them in a centralized way to avoid the spread of bacteria. Then spray Bordeaux liquid, the concentration should not be too high, about 0.5% - 1%. Generally, it can be cured by spraying twice. If you want to prevent disease recurrence, you can put Alocasia zebrina in a ventilated place and reduce watering.

Alocasia Zebrina yellow leaves

1. Too much light: too much light is one of the common reasons for the yellow leaves of Alocasia zebrina yellow leaves. Alocasia zebrina likes shade and needs 50% sun shading in summer. It can't let the sun shine directly, otherwise the leaves are prone to yellow edges. We can put Alocasia zebrina in a place where we can avoid strong light at home.
2. Lack of light: Alocasia zebrina's leaves turn yellow when it is in a dark place for a long time. The main reason is the lack of light, which affects Alocasia zebrina's photosynthesis. Prevention and treatment skills: Sea taro should avoid strong light, but it does not need light, but needs sufficient astigmatism. We can put Alocasia zebrina in a place that avoids strong light but can provide sufficient astigmatism.
3. Too much watering: too much watering in Alocasia zebrina will cause rhizomes to rot and leaves to turn yellow. Alocasia zebrina should be watered properly and thoroughly, but there should be no ponding.