So you’re taking great care of your Alocasia Zebrina, it’s been growing nicely, but now it seems new growth has stopped. These plants like growing in small pots, but sooner or later, there comes a time when it’s necessary to repot.
But when exactly should you repot your Alocasia Reticulata Zebrina, and how do you do it?
That’s what this guide’s for! This is the ultimate how repot an Alocasia Zebrina guide by the end. You’ll soon know the plant’s growth characteristics, when you should repot, how you can do it, and which type of soil is best to use for this plant. This will ultimately keep your plant happy, which means it will continue growing.
Growing Characteristics of Alocasia Zebrina Plants
While these plants aren’t the easiest to care for, they’ll thrive in your home with the correct routine. Here are some of the characteristics you can expect when growing an Alocasia Zebrina houseplant.
They Prefer Indirect Sunlight
It likes plenty of indirect sunlight but, when left in direct sunlight you’ll immediately notice drooping leaves as the plant dries out. Its large leaves are capable of soaking in sun rays from shaded areas of the house.
However, it won’t reach its full potential if grown in a dim, shaded area or low light. Giving it lots of indirect light allows the plant to photosynthesise better, meaning more leaves and a bigger, healthier plant.
Humid and Warm is Best
Alocasia Zebrina plants originate from tropical Southeast Asia, so they prefer a warm and humid environment. A slight chill in the air is enough to cause leaf loss, so if you’re growing this plant at home, ensure that the indoor temperatures are between 15ºC and 28ºC.
The plant’s ideal humidity is 60% and above. If you live in a dry region with low humidity, you can place the plant in a room with a portable humidifier. However, it’s not always necessary to use a humidifier if you water the plant correctly and grow it in an area with enough sunlight.
If you notice browning on the edge of the leaves, it’s a sign that the humidity is too low. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can group your houseplants and let them collectively raise the humidity level. Just be careful not to group them too close to each other because the plants require air circulation. Lack of air circulation increases the likelihood of attracting unwanted pests.
When Should You Repot Alocasia Zebrina Plants?
Alocasia Zebrina care, these plants grow well in small pots and don’t need to be repotted very often. It’s best to wait until it’s absolutely necessary before you repot due to the fragile nature of the roots.
It would be best if you didn’t repot into a larger pot before the plant has developed a healthy root ball in its current pot.
When you do eventually repot your Alocasia Zebrina plant, make sure to do it in small increments. Transplanting can stress the plant’s root system, so choose a new pot size that’s the next size up.
The following indicators will help you know when your plant is ready for repotting:
- You can see roots growing out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot
- The plant’s growth has stopped altogether, or it’s growing at a slower rate than before
- The plant has become top-heavy and is starting to fall over in its pot
- The soil is drying out faster, requiring you to water the plant more than once a week
The best time of the year to repot houseplants is during spring. Transplanting during this time of the year means your plants gradually get more sunlight as temperatures start rising.
This lets the plants know that the season is changing. The plants instinctively react to the changing season and start growing as a result.
What Kind of Soil do Alocasia Plants Need?
Good soil for Alocasia plants includes a potting mix of:
- one-part regular potting soil
- one part peat moss
- one part perlite
Peat moss contains vital nutrients that improve the soil’s biodiversity. It’s also a loose growing medium, whereas perlite enhances the soil’s drainage. This mixture is light, airy, fertile, drains quickly, but still holds enough moisture without staying damp for too long.
These plants are very susceptible to overwatering, so it’s crucial to use soil that drains well. Overwatering this plant is dangerous because you’re increasing the likelihood of root rot. Alocasia plants have a thick rhizome root, which can easily rot in waterlogged soil. When this occurs, you’ll notice the leaves start drooping, turn yellow, and eventually die.
Feeding Alocasia Zebrina Plants
These plants grow quickly, especially during the growing period from spring to early autumn. Your Alocasia Zebrina (also known as elephant ear plants) needs added nutrients when it’s growing because there is only a finite amount of stored nutrients in the soil, so giving it fertilizer is recommended.
You should use regular, balanced houseplant fertilizer that’s diluted to half strength. Feeding the plant once every two weeks will promote new leaf growth. And when fed at the correct amounts, you can expect to see one to two new leaves each month.
While feeding these plants is essential, you must be careful not to overfeed them, as they are sensitive to over-fertilization. Using an organic houseplant fertilizer rich in sea kelp, plant extracts, or tea compost is an excellent choice because it gives the plants the necessary nutrients and minimizes the risk of mineral root burn.
It’s also essential to flush the remaining fertilizer out of the soil every couple of months so that it remains a balanced growing medium. To do this, water the plant to the point where the entire pot is soaked and let the water drain out of the pot’s bottom to flush out any remaining fertilizer from the soil.
How to Repot an Alocasia Zebrina – Steps to Repotting Your Alocasia Zebrina Plant
Now it’s time to explain how you’ll go about transplanting your Alocasia Zebrina. Below you’ll find three simple steps that will ensure you correctly repot your plant without damaging its roots.
Remove the Plant From the Pot to Observe the Root Ball
You’ll want to check the roots so that you know whether the root ball is developed enough to transplant into a bigger growing space. A bigger pot has more space available in the soil, which means the plant can continue growing.
To do this, use one hand to securely hold where the plant meets the soil, then flip the pot with your other hand so that you’re holding the pot upside down. Doing this will make it easier for the root ball to come out of the pot and minimize the risks of damaging the roots.
Inspect the Rootball
The plant is ready to transplant if the rootball is tight and compact, mimicking the current pot’s shape. The roots should also be circling the bottom of the pot. If this isn’t the case, carefully place the plant back into its current pot and give it some more time to develop its rootball.
Place the Plant Into the New Pot
Now it’s time to give your plant a new home. Fill two-thirds of the new pot with soil so that there’s space for the rootball to fit into the new pot.
Next, gently place the plant into the new pot and add any soil necessary so that the plant is comfortably sitting in the pot. It’s essential to use the same type of soil in the new pot to minimise shocking the plant.
The soil should lie about one or two centimetres below the rim of the pot. Don’t fill the pot with soil to the brim. You’ll need some room for when you water the plant and soak the soil. You shouldn’t pack the new soil too tightly because the plant’s roots need space to grow into the bigger pot.
After the transplant, give the plant lots of water so that the roots can better adjust to the new pot and soak in nutrients. After repotting it, watering your Alocasia Zebrina will minimize the transplant shock and make it easier for the plant to settle into its new home.
The plant should adapt to its new pot after a few days to a week, so if you see some drooping leaves, don’t panic. Sometimes it takes some time before the roots adjust. For a few days, they may just direct all their energy to getting acquainted with their new space.
Summary of Repotting Alocasia Zebrina Plants
There you have it, your simple guide to basic Alocasia plant care and repotting. An important takeaway is knowing when to transplant. These plants like growing in small pots and don’t need to be repotted very often.
If your plant is ready for a new home, make sure to use the same soil and be super careful when handling the plant during the transplant process, so you don’t damage the root system. Following these steps will ensure your Zebrina plant can continue thriving in your household. And remember – happy plants make for a happy home.
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