In this guide I will cover two topics related to water and alocasia. First I will show you how to correctly water your alocasia plant. Next I will cover how you can propagate and grow alocasia in water.
Alocasias are some of the most striking houseplants you can grow—but keeping them happy can be a bit of a challenge. One of the biggest factors in their health is watering, but their needs aren’t always as straightforward as other plants.
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How To Water Alocasia
If you’ve struggled to figure out the best watering routine for your Alocasia, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! This guide will walk you through exactly what your plant needs to stay lush and thriving.
Alocasia Watering Basics
These tropical beauties love humidity, but that doesn’t mean they want their soil soaking wet. In fact, Alocasias prefer their potting mix to be moist but never soggy.
A good rule of thumb is to wait until the top 2–3 inches of soil feel dry before watering again.
During the cooler months, Alocasias naturally slow down their growth and go into a semi-dormant state.
This means they need less water than they do in spring and summer, so be sure to cut back on watering to avoid overdoing it.
Getting the balance right can take some practice, but once you do, your Alocasia will reward you with healthy, vibrant foliage all year long!
Overview of Alocasia Watering
Watering your Alocasia correctly isn’t necessarily hard, but these tropical beauties don’t forgive mistakes easily!
To avoid issues, it helps to understand their natural habitat and how to replicate it indoors.
Where Do Alocasias Com From?
Native to subtropical Asia and eastern Australia, Alocasias belong to the Araceae family and thrive in warm, humid environments with well-draining soil.
🌿 Houseplant vs. Outdoor Alocasias:
Large “Elephant Ear” Alocasias – Often grown as landscape plants and have slightly different care needs.
Smaller “Jewel” Alocasias – More delicate, naturally growing in loose, well-draining organic soil beneath jungle canopies.
Because they come from such specific environments, Alocasias can be tricky to grow indoors. If you live in a humid climate, you already have an advantage.
Otherwise, you may need to use humidifiers, greenhouses, or pebble trays to keep your plant happy.
Why Is Watering Alocasias Sometimes Tricky?
💧 Alocasias need just the right amount of moisture—too little and their leaves wilt, too much and their roots rot.
As tuberous plants, they are highly susceptible to root rot if the soil stays too wet for too long.
The key is to provide enough water without creating soggy conditions—which means using a fast-draining soil mix and watering only when the top 2–3 inches of soil are dry.
Mastering the balance of moisture and drainage will keep your Alocasia lush, healthy, and thriving indoors!
General Alocasia Watering
Alocasias don’t follow the typical tropical plant watering rules.
While they love high humidity, they dislike consistently moist soil and prefer their growing mix to be on the drier side.
This unique balance makes watering Alocasia is tricky—though they need indirect light and warmth like other jungle plants, they must be watered more like succulents.
A key challenge in caring for Alocasia indoors is ensuring their soil dries out fast enough to prevent moisture-related problems.
Using a fast-draining mix and maintaining good air circulation will help keep their roots healthy.
Essential Alocasia Watering Tips:
✔️ Overwatering is the #1 Alocasia killer! Unlike some of their Colocasia relatives, Alocasias are not bog plants.
✔️ Water during the growing season, but don’t use a set schedule. Instead, check the soil regularly.
✔️ Before watering, let the top 2–3 inches of soil dry out. The exact timing will depend on pot size and humidity levels.
✔️ Don’t let the rootball dry out completely. While Alocasias don’t like excess moisture, they won’t survive an extended drought either.
✔️ Never let Alocasias sit in soggy soil. If the mix stays damp, increase warmth and air circulation to speed up drying.
✔️ Underwatering is better than overwatering, but prolonged dryness will cause wilting and leaf loss.
Finding the perfect balance will help your Alocasia thrive indoors with vibrant, healthy foliage!
Exceptions to the Rules: When to Adjust Alocasia Watering
Alocasias don’t always follow a predictable watering pattern.
Sometimes they drink more, sometimes less, and it’s not always clear why.
The key is to stay observant and adjust accordingly.
1. Dormancy & Watering Adjustments 🍂
Alocasias slow down in winter and often enter semi-dormancy indoors.
Their water needs decrease drastically—overwatering at this stage can be fatal!
Look for signs of dormancy (slowed growth, leaf loss, or no new leaves).
Water sparingly: Only give a small amount every two weeks and keep the soil much drier than in the growing season.
2. When a New Leaf is Growing 🌱
Alocasias drink much more water when producing a new leaf.
As the new spear emerges and unfurls, the plant’s water demand spikes.
Monitor the soil carefully—stick to the dry-then-water rule but expect to water more frequently.
Staying attuned to your Alocasia’s cycles will help you provide just the right amount of water for a healthy, thriving plant!
Overwatering: The Hidden Alocasia Killer
Alocasias store water and nutrients in their tuberous roots to survive droughts, but this makes them highly vulnerable to root rot in wet soil.
Why Overwatering is Dangerous:
✔️ Leaves won’t always warn you early—by the time they discolor, it may be too late.
✔️ Rot starts underground, causing the crown to collapse after the roots disintegrate.
✔️ Once root rot spreads, saving the plant is difficult.
How to Prevent Overwatering:
✔️ Let the top 2–3 inches of soil dry before watering again.
✔️ Check the roots periodically—they should be pale, firm, and odorless.
✔️ Use well-draining soil to avoid moisture buildup.
✔️ Unpot the plant if you suspect trouble and trim any rotten roots.
If Root Rot Strikes:
🛑 Dry the soil immediately.
✂️ Trim away infected roots with sterilized shears.
🪴 Repot into fresh, dry, well-draining mix.
🌱 Don’t toss a rotted plant too quickly—there may be healthy rhizomes in the pot that can regrow!
Alocasias prefer underwatering over overwatering, so when in doubt—wait before watering!
Water Quality Issues & Alocasias
Alocasias are sensitive to the quality of water they receive, and poor water quality can lead to issues like discolored leaves or stunted growth. Here’s how to ensure your Alocasia gets the best water:
Why Water Quality Matters:
Mineralized Tap Water: Alocasias can react poorly to water high in minerals, leading to issues like leaf discoloration.
Chlorine & Chloramines: Municipal water often contains chlorine or chloramines, which can damage delicate Alocasia roots.
Fertilizer Residue: Fertilizer left in the soil can also affect water quality, leading to nutrient imbalances.
Best Water Options for Alocasias:
Purified or Rainwater: These are the best options for your Alocasia, as they don’t contain chlorine or other additives.
Tap Water: If using tap water, it’s a good idea to dechlorinate it.
Set it out overnight to let chlorine escape, or use a few drops of aquarium dechlorinator to neutralize chloramine.
Guttation – The Alocasia “Sweat”
What is Guttation? Sometimes Alocasias release clear drops from their leaves, a process known as guttation.
This happens when the soil is moist and the plant expels excess water through special pores.
Is it Harmful?
No, guttation is not harmful. It’s a natural process that helps the plant maintain its moisture balance.
Treat it as a sign that your Alocasia has enough water!
Why It’s Important to Use The Correct Container
Proper drainage is non-negotiable when growing Alocasias and this should be a major consideration when choosing the correct pot for your plant!
✔️ Use containers with adequate drainage.
One central hole may work, but multiple holes are ideal for rapid water exit.
✔️ Using Decorative Pots?
Keep your Alocasia in a slightly smaller pot with drainage holes.
Place it inside the decorative container.
Add pebbles to the bottom of the outer pot for better air circulation.
⚠️ Important Tip: Always empty the outer container after watering to prevent root rot from pooled water!
Why Choosing The Correct Soil Is Also Important
When it comes to watering Alocasias, soil consistency is crucial!
Soil that retains too much moisture is often the culprit behind a struggling Alocasia, rather than low humidity.
Here’s what you need to know:
Key Traits for Ideal Alocasia Soil:
Fast Draining – Water should pass through the soil in seconds, but not too quickly.
Loose, Chunky & Airy – This allows the roots to breathe and prevents water from pooling at the bottom.
Rich in Nutrients – Alocasias thrive in nutrient-rich, organic soil.
Soil Composition for Alocasias:
50% Aerating Elements (perlite, coco coir, or coarse sand)
50% Organic Matter (peat, compost, or humus-based potting soil)
pH Level: Slightly acidic with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 – peat moss helps maintain this level.
🌿 Remember: Over time, organic materials like bark or compost can break down, reducing soil drainage.
You can add coarse sand (in moderation) to improve it and keep the soil airy!
Alocasia Watering Quick Tips
Proper watering care is essential to keep your Alocasia happy and healthy.
Here are some extra tips to perfect your watering routine:
1. Room Temperature Water:
Avoid Chilling the Roots: Always use room temperature water.
Cold water can shock the roots, while lukewarm water helps maintain healthy root development.
2. Clean the Leaves:
Remove Dust and Grime: Regularly wipe down the leaves to remove dust.
Clean leaves help the plant’s transpiration process, which increases its water uptake and helps the soil dry out faster.
3. Aerate the Soil:
Fluff the Soil: Before watering, gently aerate the soil to keep it oxygenated.
You can use a fork or similar tool to “fluff” the surface, which helps the water to absorb better and prevents compaction.
4. Flush the Soil Regularly:
Cleanse the Soil: To prevent the buildup of harmful residues, regularly flush the soil with excess water.
Let water flow freely through the medium once a month or two during the growing season.
This helps flush out accumulated toxins and improves soil health.
5. Use Organic Fertilizers:
Reduce Toxins: Organic fertilizers are less likely to leave harmful residues in the soil, which can interfere with proper watering and root health.
By following these simple steps, you’ll help your Alocasia stay hydrated and thrive in a healthy environment!
Growing Alocasia In Water
Although the most common form of propagation for Alocasia is in soil, using water as a growth medium for propagation of many plants houseplants cis becoming more popular.
Can Alocasia Grow in Water?
Yes, Alocasia can grow in water!
It’s actually an effective method for propagating and displaying your plant without the mess of soil.
Here’s what you need to know about growing Alocasia in water:
How Alocasia Grows In Water
Rhizomes: Alocasias grow from rhizomes, not through traditional cuttings like other plants.
This makes water propagation a viable option for them.
Offsets: Alocasia plants sometimes produce offsets, which are small copies of the main plant.
These can be separated and grown in water, making propagation much easier.
Steps to Grow Alocasia in Water
1. Select Offsets: Look for the small offshoots (or clumps) produced by the main plant.
2. Place in Water: Gently remove the offsets and place them in a jar or vase with water, ensuring that only the roots are submerged, not the stem.
3. Change Water Regularly: To prevent algae growth and maintain healthy roots, change the water every 1-2 weeks.
4. Provide Light: Place the jar in a location with bright, indirect light.
Although it can be an attractive way to showcase your Alocasia, remember that growing it in water might not be the best long-term solution for the plant’s overall health. This is due to the fact that it may lack the nutrients that soil provides.
However, it’s perfect for propagation or displaying a smaller specimen!
How to Grow Alocasia in Water
Growing Alocasia in water is a fun and effective way to propagate or display your plant.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Remove the Alocasia from Its Pot:
Carefully take your Alocasia out of its pot.
Gently loosen the roots and shake them to remove the soil.
Be cautious not to damage the delicate roots during this process.
Clean the Roots:
Rinse the roots under running water to ensure no soil remains stuck to them.
If any dirt is stuck, soak the roots in water briefly to loosen the soil.
This will help keep the water clean and avoid contamination.
Trim Dead or Damaged Roots:
Inspect the roots and remove any that are dead, decayed, or yellowing.
This helps ensure that only healthy roots are submerged in water.
Separate Baby Plants (Optional):
If you want to propagate, use sterilized pruning shears to carefully separate any baby plants (offsets) from the main plant.
Be gentle to avoid damaging the offsets.
If you plan to grow the entire plant in water, you can skip this step.
Place the Plant in Water:
Now, place the cleaned roots or the separated baby plant(s) into a container filled with water.
Make sure the roots are fully submerged and not sticking out above the water level.
Use the Right Water:
It’s crucial to use distilled or filtered water, as tap water containing chlorine can harm your Alocasia.
The cleaner the water, the better for your plant.
Monitor Water Levels and Change Regularly:
Keep an eye on the water levels and top it off when necessary.
Change the water every 1-2 weeks to prevent algae growth and keep the roots healthy.
Additional Tips:
Place your Alocasia in a spot with bright, indirect light.
Ensure the container has enough space for the roots to grow without being overcrowded.
By following these steps, your Alocasia can thrive in water, allowing you to enjoy its beauty without soil.
Just remember to care for it by changing the water and maintaining proper light!
How to Care for Alocasia in Water
Taking care of your Alocasia in water involves providing the right conditions for it to thrive.
Here are some key tips for keeping your Alocasia happy and healthy:
1. Light
Indirect Light: Alocasias prefer bright, indirect light. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight for extended periods as this can cause leaf burn.
Morning Sun: You can place your Alocasia near a window where it will get a little bit of morning sunlight, but not too much direct exposure.
2. Water Quality
Use Filtered or Rainwater: Regular tap water often contains harmful chemicals like chlorine, which can be detrimental to your Alocasia.
Rainwater is ideal, as it contains no chemicals and is rich in nutrients.
If using filtered water isn’t possible, let tap water sit out for 24 hours to allow chlorine to dissipate.
Change Water Regularly: Keep the water clean by changing it every 2-3 days.
Stagnant water can become a breeding ground for bacteria, algae, and insects, which can harm your plant.
3. Fertilizing
Fertilizer is Essential: Since water alone doesn’t provide enough nutrients, fertilization is important for your Alocasia’s growth.
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer (like 20:20:20 NPK) every 3-4 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer).
Skip Fertilizing in Winter: In winter, when your Alocasia may be dormant, reduce fertilization to avoid stressing the plant.
4. Temperature
Warm Temperatures: Alocasias prefer warm temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C).
Avoid placing your plant in areas with cold drafts or sudden temperature changes.
Indoor Care in Winter: If you’re growing Alocasia outdoors, bring it inside during the colder months to prevent it from becoming dormant due to the cold.
5. Humidity
Humidity Preferences: Alocasias are native to tropical regions, so they love high humidity (50% to 60%).
When growing in water, their humidity needs are often met, but in drier environments, you can use a humidifier to maintain the right levels.
6. Transferring to Soil
Water-Grown Alocasia: If your Alocasia is thriving in water, there’s no need to transfer it to soil.
It can continue to grow in water as long as it’s healthy and happy in that environment.
By following these care tips, your Alocasia will continue to flourish in its water-based home, adding beauty and lush greenery to your space!
Advantages of Growing Alocasia in Water
1. Improved Nutrient Absorption
When grown in water, Alocasia’s roots are directly exposed to the water, making it easier for the plant to absorb nutrients and oxygen.
This eliminates the need for the plant to spread its roots in search of nourishment, allowing it to focus more energy on growing.
Since nutrients are readily available, the plant can grow more efficiently and thrive in this water-based environment.
2. Cleaner Growth Environment
Growing Alocasia in water helps avoid soil-borne pests and diseases.
Without soil, there’s less chance for soil pathogens like root rot and fungal infections to take hold.
This can make it easier to maintain a healthier plant overall.
3. Easy Monitoring of Roots
When you grow your Alocasia in water, you can easily monitor the health of its roots.
Since the roots are visible, you can check for any signs of rot, decay, or nutrient deficiencies and address them immediately.
This can help prevent long-term damage to the plant.
4. Low Maintenance
Water-grown Alocasia requires less frequent maintenance compared to soil-based care.
As long as you ensure the water is changed regularly and the plant is getting proper light, the plant can thrive with minimal intervention.
5. Aesthetic Appeal
Growing Alocasia in clear water-filled containers allows you to enjoy the beauty of its roots and the plant itself.
The water also helps reflect light, adding a visual element to your indoor space.
It creates a clean, modern look that can complement any decor.
6. Easier Propagation
Water provides an ideal medium for propagating Alocasia, especially with baby plants or offsets.
Growing in water makes it easier to develop strong roots that can later be transferred to soil if desired. The water gives the plant a healthy start in its new environment.
Overall, growing Alocasia in water can be a rewarding and low-maintenance way to nurture this beautiful plant while giving it the nutrients and care it needs to thrive!
Disadvantages of Growing Alocasia in Water
1. Limited Nutrient Availability
While growing Alocasia in water offers easy access to oxygen and nutrients, the plant may not receive all the necessary nutrients that soil can provide.
Water alone doesn’t have the full range of minerals and organic matter that the plant needs for optimal growth, so regular fertilization is essential to keep it healthy.
2. Root Health Risks
Although water allows you to monitor the roots, there’s also a risk of root rot if the water is not changed regularly or if it becomes contaminated.
Alocasias are particularly sensitive to stagnant water and can suffer from bacterial growth or algae if the water isn’t kept clean.
It’s crucial to change the water frequently and ensure it doesn’t become cloudy or dirty.
3. Requires Constant Maintenance
While water-based growth might seem low-maintenance, it actually requires consistent attention.
Water needs to be changed every few days to prevent it from becoming stale, and it’s important to ensure that the plant’s roots are not exposed to direct sunlight, as this can encourage algae growth.
4. Less Stability
Alocasias grown in water lack the stability provided by soil.
Soil helps anchor the roots and provides a stable environment for the plant to grow.
In water, the roots are more exposed and may not have as strong a foundation.
This can lead to the plant becoming unstable, especially if it starts growing larger or top-heavy.
5. Risk of Overwatering
Alocasias are prone to root rot if overwatered, and while this is less of an issue with soil-based plants, it can still be a risk in water.
If the roots are left submerged for too long without proper water changes, they may start to rot, especially if they don’t get enough oxygen.
6. Can Outgrow the Container
As your Alocasia grows, its roots will expand. In a water setup, the plant might quickly outgrow the container if the water isn’t changed frequently or if the root system becomes too large.
This could make it more difficult to manage, and you might need to transfer the plant to a larger container or back to soil.
7. Temperature Fluctuations
Water temperature can fluctuate more easily than soil temperature, especially in open containers.
If the water gets too cold or too hot, it can stress the plant and hinder its growth.
It’s important to maintain the water at a stable temperature to avoid shocking the plant.
8. Limited Growth Potential
While Alocasia can grow in water, it may not achieve its full potential as it would in soil.
Soil provides the necessary support for healthy root development and allows the plant to grow larger.
Without soil, the growth of the Alocasia may be limited over time.
Growing Alocasia in water can work well as a temporary solution or for propagation, but it comes with its own set of challenges that require close attention to keep the plant thriving.