Alocasia 'Mandalay' is an easy to grow aroid which makes for a perfect house plant or companion plant in a tropical grow area. The Alocasia Mandalay, or African Mask, will add bold brilliance to your garden or household with its silver leaf margins.
Keep Alocasia plants moist all year; they are water-loving plants. There is a fine line with these plants. You want to keep the soil moist, but not soggy. They require less water during the winter months because the plant is dormant.
It needs a bright indirect light and water whenever the top layer of soil feels dry. Best for a 4"-5" pot with drainage.
Alocasias are very heavy feeders, and fertilizing alocasia plants frequently is the only way to keep up with their appetite. Before planting your alocasias, mix 2 pounds (1 kg.) of slow-release fertilizer per 100 square feet (9.5 sq. m.)
Horticulture Magazine recommends a 36-inch pot for larger alocasia plants because it will give them room to grow and will provide enough soil volume to keep the roots moist. A nonporous plastic pot is best because porous ceramic or unglazed clay pots will wick moisture away from the soil.
Alocasia is a very poisonous plant; the leaves contain insoluble oxalate crystals. A human or pet chewing or biting into a leaf releases the crystals which can cause swelling and irritation of the mouth and GI tract.
