In this Alocasia Frydek care guide, I’ll cover all you need to know about Alocasia Frydek and top care tips.
Alocasia Micholitziana or Alocasia Frydek, affectionately known as Alocasia Green Velvet, originates in Southeast Asia and is renowned for its beautiful appearance.
It’s a gorgeous variety of Alocasia that has grown in popularity over the years.
These plants make for glamorous and unique-looking indoor and garden plants with rich, dark green leaves and prominent, white-colored, lateral veins sweeping across its velvety broadsheets.
Like many other Alocasias, keeping these beautiful Green Velvet plants looking the best they can is a bit of a challenge.
What is Alocasia Frydek?
Alocasia Micholitziana ‘Frydek’ is a stunning plant within the Alocasia genus. There are more than 70 different species of Alocasia, including its beautiful Araceae family members, the Alocasia Wentii, Alocasia Polly, and the Zebrina plants.
The size and shape of its leaves are one reason why Alocasia Frydek forms part of a group of plants named Elephant’s Ear.
Alocasias can reach heights of 2 to 3 feet tall, 2 to 5 feet wide, and are native to Southeast Asia. Like many other Alocasias, these plants thrive and look their best in humid conditions with a variety of soils and pH levels.
Alocasia Frydek boasts dark green to almost black leaves and prominent lateral veins. Their leaves can grow up to 18-inches in length and have a velvety feel to them, hence the nickname ‘Green Velvet.’
Alocasia Plant Care Tips
Alocasia Frydek plants make stunning indoor houseplants. And when they’re grown in the right conditions, these beautiful elephant ear plants thrive.
When taking care of your Alocasia, the most important thing to note is consistency with watering, soil, fertilizer, humidity, light, and temperature. Let’s take a look at some basic Alocasia care tips.
Alocasia Light Requirements
Alocasia Frydek thrives in bright, indirect light for optimal growth and development. The amount of light and the current season during the year will directly dictate the frequencies of water intake.
The plant may be a little sensitive to light intensity and may suffer when it’s getting too much light.
You should try to place your green velvet Alocasia somewhere in your home where it’s bright enough to cast a shadow but out of direct sunlight.
Direct sunlight may cause a scorching effect on the leaves. So, be sure not to leave your plant in the direct sun for more than one or two hours.
On the contrary, with insufficient light, Alocasia Frydek plant tends to take a long time to grow and produce new leaves.
They are also prone to overwatering in low light conditions; this is from the soil taking much longer to dry out.
Signs Your Alocasia Frydek Needs More Light
Your Alocasia Frydek requires 1-2 hours of direct sunlight per day, and anything more than that may cause your plant’s leaves to scorch and turn brown on the tips and edges of the leaves.
On the contrary, insufficient light will cause slow growth. And, if your plant is outdoors, you’d need to ensure its sheltered from any harsh sunlight.
Alocasia Frydek Temperature Requirements
Green Velvet Alocasia Frydek are most comfortable growing in humid, tropical forests, so temperatures of 60°F (16°C) to 80°F (27°C) make for a happy Alocasia plant. Temperatures below 60°F (16°C) may trigger dormancy.
This will result in very slow growth; however, once the conditions become more favorable again, your plant will begin to grow once more.
Another issue regarding temperature care is hot and cold drafts. Heating or cooling vents near your plant may cause major problems. And your plant will tell you this by showing signs of unhappiness.
You may see their leaves start to turn yellow and dying, or your entire plant may start to droop.
Alocasia Frydek Outdoor Care
Alocasia Frydek can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones from 9b-11. Because they naturally thrive in humid conditions, you’ll need to ensure temperatures stay above 60°F (15°C).
Temperatures below this average may cause your plant to grow slowly. Signs of your Alocasia Frydek going into dormancy are when the leaves turn yellow and fall off without any new growth happening.
A quick solution to this is to bring your plant indoors during the colder months.
Alocasia Frydek Care Tips for Winter
Alocasia Frydek is likely to grow more slowly in wintertime or enter a period of dormancy. If you notice your plants’ growth slowing or that the soil remains wet for much longer, you may want to slow down on your watering cycle for a few months.
During this time, you would need to reduce watering and should not divide or repot your plant.
Another thing to look out for is when your beautiful green velvet Alocasia leaves and stems begin to die; it’s likely to have entered a dormancy period because its environment is much colder and there are unfavorable lighting conditions.
Alocasia Frydek Pruning
Alocasia Frydek’s care requires minimal pruning. When you start to see your Alocasia Frydeks leaves turn brown, droop, or shrivel, it’s time to prune them.
It’s a natural process, as long as your plant is still producing new foliage faster than it’s losing its older ones.
Tip: Use sharp pruning shears to prune off the dead or dying foliage to keep your plant looking beautiful.
Alocasia Frydek Fertilizer Requirement
Alocasia Frydreks require some special attention when it comes to fertilization. You should use a balanced, diluted fertilizer for your green velvet plant and fertilize from spring to summer.
You should choose a balanced fertilizer, where the three numbers are the same, for example, 20-20-20 or a 10-10-10 formula.
The numbers on your fertilizer represent the percentage values of NPK, meaning:
- N – Nitrogen for leaf growth
- P – Phosphorus to induce flowering
- L – Potassium to promote stem growth
Alocasia Frydek Humidity
Your Green Velvet Frydek thrives in warm, tropical conditions, so it loves humidity. If you keep the humidity levels above 50%, your plant should be as happy as Larry.
In lower humidity levels, you may begin to notice your plant’s leaves begin to turn brown at the edges and tips. And considering your Alocasia Frydek’s main appeal is its beautiful, large green velvety leaves, keeping the humidity levels up is a must.
To help you monitor the humidity levels, it could be beneficial to get a digital hygrometer.
If the humidity in your house is below 50%, you can try some of these methods to increase it:
- Put your Alocasia houseplant in close range of each other; this can increase local humidity levels by the transpiration of the foliage.
- Place your plant on a humidity tray. You can also place your pants on an empty tray (this can be any tray) with some small pebbles scattered on the bottom. Rest the pot on the pebbles and add water to the dish.
- You can add a humidifier to the room.
Alocasia Frydek Soil
Alocasia Frydek thrives in a well-draining, fertile potting mix. Your soil should be able to contain a little moisture but should not be soggy.
Like most other Alocasias, these plants grow natively in humid, tropical forests. As such, they grow in conditions that can be closely mimicked in your home.
A well-draining soil mixed with organic matter would best meet these plants’ natural habitats. For example, a mix of 60% coconut coir, compost or peat, 30% perlite, and 10% compost would be ideal for your plant.
Watering Alocasia Frydek: Dry vs. Overwatered
Alocasias grow in tropical forests and require thorough watering. Skipping a couple of waterings may increase the risk of your Frydek going dormant.
When you are watering, ensure that the soil is well-drained and excess water can drain through the soil (yes, drainage holes are essential here).
Allow the topsoil to dry out in-between waterings during your plant’s active growth period and reduce it during the autumn and winter months.
Underwatering symptoms include:
- Wilting
- Little to no growth
- Browning leaves
Overwatering symptoms include:
- Rapidly yellowing lower leaves
- Wilting or root rot
- Brown spots on leaves
- A rotten stem
How Often Do You Water Alocasia Frydek?
Proper watering of your Alocasia Green Velvet may be the trickiest part as they tend to get finicky when over-or underwater.
The general rule of thumb is that Frydeks require regular watering, without completely soaking the soil. Prolonged exposure to wet soil can cause root rot and various other problems.
To what extent will depend on various factors, including the environment (humidity), where the plants are kept (indoors or outdoors), and the type of pot used.
If the soil dries out regularly, you can adjust the frequency and amount of water fed to the plant. A pot with drainage holes comes in handy here.
Alocasia Frydek Propagation
There are a number of ways to propagate your elephant ear. Alocasia is a rhizomatous perennial or bulbous plant.
So, the best and easiest way is by the division of larger plants – rhizome division. The most suitable time to do this is in spring or early summer when there is plenty of growth.
Take a look at this step-by-step guide on how to propagate your Alocasia Frydek by division:
- Gently remove your plant from its container. This can be done by carefully loosening the plant and its roots or by sliding it away from the pot.
- Remove any excess soil from around the roots (this can help you detect where to separate the plant).
- Alocasias have a clumping growth habit, and new stems, corns, or bulbs are regularly produced from the rhizomes, which can be easily separated.
- Gently separate the rhizomes apart. You can use a sharp blade or shears to cut the rhizomes and divide the plant.
- Each division can be planted separately in its own pot with a moist potting mix.
Note: You should wear gloves during the propagation process as Alocasias are known to be toxic and can cause skin irritation.
Tip: Alocasia Frydek is a rather fragile plant, so it’s best to propagate with larger, healthier plants.
Alocasia Frydek Repotting
Once your plant has reached maturity, you won’t need to repot your Alocasia Frydek more than once every two years or so. Green Velvet Alocasias enjoy being slightly rootbound and don’t enjoy frequent repotting.
A few ways to tell if you need to repot your plant includes:
- Slow growth despite proper care.
- Soil dries out quickly after watering.
- Poor drainage.
- Roots poking out of the drainage holes.
How to repot your Green Velvet Frydek:
- You should use a pot that’s 1-2 sizes bigger with new potting soil.
- Remove the root ball and gently untangle the roots.
- Check for signs of root rot and trim away any diseased roots.
- Replant your Alocasia into a new container.
Alocasia Plant Common Problems
Attention and responsibility are required when you’re caring for a plant – this is especially true for the Alocasia Frydek.
In order to provide your plant baby with as much support as possible, take a look at some common problems most caregivers face.
Alocasia Frydek Root Rot
Alocasia Frydek plants are prone to root rot, and one of the major culprits is watering issues.
Overwatering issues can happen when the plants sit in wet soil for a long time, and the roots struggle for oxygen.
When root rot develops, the plant’s roots’ ability to function properly slowly diminishes. Your plant’s leaves will turn yellow, and the roots will turn black and go mushy.
Take a look below at how to get rid of root rot:
- Remove your Alocasia from the soil and rinse the roots underwater.
- Take clean, sterile shears to clip away any affected roots.
- It may be a good time to dip the remaining unaffected roots in a fungicide solution to help get rid of any remaining rot.
Insect Invasions and Diseases
The best way to dodge or get rid of diseases is by avoiding over-or underwatering, keeping the leaves dry, and providing proper air circulation.
The biggest problem you may find is your plant developing root rot. This excess moisture opens your plant up to bacterial and fungal diseases.
It’s important to consider the following:
- Check the soil before watering. Be aware of the plants’ different behaviors during the seasons (warm and cold months).
- Ensure your pot has proper drainage.
- Use a well-draining potting mix.
Common pests for the Alocasia Frydek plants include bugs, thrips, aphids, spider mites, etc. You can control these pests by spraying neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Alocasia Frydek Drooping
Alocasia Frydek will droop due to several stressors. Underwatering causing wilting and overwatering causing root rot are the most common reasons leaves droop.
Other conditions include transplant stress, pests, disease, temperature stress, or excessive fertilizer.
If you think you may have overwatered your plant, stick your finger in the soil to see if it is wet and soggy.
If the soil sticks to your finger, then it’s most likely you’ve overwatered it. On the contrary, if the soil feels dry, the chances are that you’ve underwatered your plant.
You should take a methodical approach to identify the problem. The treatment of these issues will depend entirely on the problem itself.
Alocasia Frydek Leaves Turning Yellow
Yellowing leaves on Green Velvet Alocasias are often caused by overwatering, and you’ll begin to notice them with the lower leaves first.
Excessive direct light will often cause your plant’s leaves to become yellow, and sometimes with a patchy distribution.
Other sources of stress that may cause your Alocasia Frydek leaves to turn yellow include nutrient toxicity (from excess fertilizer), drafts, and temperature stress.
Alocasia Frydek Brown Spots
Brown spots may appear on your Alocasia’s leaves if the air is too dry. Low humidity levels can affect the plant’s growth and turn the foliage brown.
The dropping of leaves and dry soil are sure signs that your Alocasia Frydek needs more water.
To help care for this issue, you can mist the leaves daily and also wipe the leaves with a damp cloth once a week. If most of the leaves are brown, you can cut them off to promote new leaf growth.
Alocasia Frydek Spider Mites
Spider mites live underneath your beautiful green velvet Alocasias foilage and can be seen as either red or pale, oval-shaped insects. They leave yellow patches or streaks on plants’ leaves.
A good trick to see if your beloved plant is infested with spider mites is to put a sheet of paper underneath your plant and shake gently on the leaves.
The pests should fall right off. And, if you neglect to sort this problem out, in the worst-case scenario, your Alocasia Frydek leaves will begin to fall off.
How to Prevent or Get Rid of Spider Mites
Spider mites thrive in dry conditions, so one option is to increase the humidity in your plant’s environment. You can do this by regularly misting your Alocasia Frydek or using a mist humidifier.
Take a look at some other ways to get rid of spider mites:
- Wash away these mites with running water
- Use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to kill the mites right away
- Apply neem oil on your plant’s leaves
Alocasia Frydek Best Products
When it comes to Alocasia care, you will certainly want to get the best products for your plant baby. Take a look at some top-of-the-range products available at affordable prices for your Alocasia.
- Best fertilizer for Alocasia Frydek – Plant food
- Best pots for Alocasia Frydek – Plastic pots or cylinder pots
- Best Alocasia Frydek basket – Seagrass planter
- Best light for Alocasia Frydek – LED Grow Light
- Best soil for Alocasia Frydek – Well-drained potting mix
Alocasia Frydek Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re keen to find out more about these stunning plants, take a look at some frequently asked questions about our beloved Alocasia Frydek.
Is Alocasia Frydek Safe for Cats?
Your Green Velvet Frydek is toxic to cats and can lead to oral irritation, pain, and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue. There can also be symptoms of vomiting, drooling, and difficulty swallowing.
These plants contain calcium oxalate crystals, which are sharp and are released when the plant is chewed.
They travel down the throat and esophagus and puncture the soft tissue, causing severe swelling. You should keep these plants out of reach from pets.
Why is My Alocasia Frydek Drooping?
The main causes of your Alocasia Frydek plants drooping are from over – or underwatering. If your Alocasia has been underwatered, the plant will begin to wilt or its leaves will begin to drop.
Overwatering, pests, root rot, and even transplants can also cause your plants to wilt or droop.
Is Alocasia Frydek Poisonous?
The Alocasia Frydeck is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. If these plants are eaten, it could cause severe illness and even death.
Is Alocasia Frydek Rare?
Alocasia Frydek plants are rare. Alocasia Polly care is much easier, and the plants are readily available to get your hands on when compared to your Green Velvets.
How Do You Water a Frydek Alocasia?
You should water your Alocasia Frydek once the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Your plants’ water requirements will vary throughout the year, so you’ll need to monitor your Alocasia rather than sticking to a schedule.
You should water your plant thoroughly during spring and summer when the topsoil becomes slightly dry. During wintertime, you can cut back on watering.
What Can I Do With Alocasia Tubers?
Alocasia Frydek is bulbous (rhizomatous perennials). When you’re repotting these plants, you’ll come across tubers or round bulbs in the soil (they look somewhat like potatoes).
These bulbs found under the soil can be used for propagation purposes (with or without roots).
Make sure you separate the bulbs from the roots, leaving the roots with the mother plants. Put the hard, solid bulbs into well-draining soil mixed with chunky bits.
Within a couple of weeks (2-4 weeks), roots and a stem should begin to grow.
Once you see a stalk emerging and leaves begin to form, you have successfully propagated your Alocasia Frydek.
A Footnote: Alocasia Frydek Care
Alocasia Frydek plants add charm to any surrounding environment, whether it’s indoors or outside in the garden.
With enough light, the right humidity and warmth, a well-draining potting mix, and a good watering regime, your Green Velvet plant will look and feel its absolute best.
These stunning tropical perennial plants are eye-catching wherever they’re placed. Now that we’ve gone through the ins and outs of Alocasia care and some potential problems, it’s time for you to get your hands on a beautiful Green Velvet Alocasia.
Pssst…And remember indirect light, great soil, and humid temperatures are key.
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