A Plant for the Library

Elaine Hogan shared an Alocasia plant this month with Cooper Memorial Library.  She is pictured with Library Assistant, Dylan Levy.

Genus: Alocasia  Family: Araceae

Common Name: Alocasia reginula

Alocasia plants are native to tropical forests and jungles where they grow on the forest floor. Because they grow on tropical floors,

they only do well outdoors in USDA zones 10-12.

Alocasia are easy to grow indoors with bright, indirect sunlight. Preferably an East or West facing window in a South room. Insufficient

light will cause the plant’s growth to slow down and the leaves to turn yellow or die.

Potting mix needs to be loose and moist. Small amounts of water on a regular basis rather than letting the soil partially dry out

is needed for the Araceae to prosper.