Alocasia zebrina is known by many common names, including the African mask plant and Elephant’s ear. This plant speaks loudly with its arrow-shaped leaves, which can grow to 36 inches in length when fully grown.
Alocasia demands very little attention or care, although it benefits from repotting every few years.
The process of repotting is simple, but it can sometimes prove to be challenging because of the plant’s large size.
In this article, you will learn all you need when it comes to repotting your Alocasia zebrina.
Keep reading.
Read also: Alocasia Black Velvet – Best Care Tips
When to Repot Your Alocasia Zebrina
Your Alocasia Zebrina will thrive when grown under slightly cramped conditions, but will ultimately need to be transplanted into a new pot to revive its soil.
Your plant will show the following signs to tell you it needs repotting:
- Visible roots on the surface of the soil
- Roots growing out of the drainage hole of the pot
- Wilting of the plant between waterings
- Slow growth
- Formation of white salt crystals on the surface of the soil
Alocasia prefers to be slightly root bound, and as such, it needs repotting every few years.
Spring and autumn are both excellent times to repot houseplants such as Alocasia since they are tropical species that will continue growing throughout the year under warm conditions.
How to Repot Alocasia Zebrina
When repotting your Alocasia Zebrina, select a container that is at least 2 inches larger than the original.
You can settle for a 36-inch pot for larger alocasia plants since it will allow them room to grow.
Also, this size of the pot will offer sufficient soil volume to keep the roots of your plant moist.
Consider using a pot made of non-porous plastic since unglazed clay or porous ceramic pots will wick moisture away from the soil.
All the same, ensure that whatever pot you are using has drainage holes at the base.
If you are repotting to a pot that you have used before, wash it out with a 10% bleach solution and rinse thoroughly before using it again.
You can follow the following steps to repot your plant successfully:
1. Water your plant an hour before repotting to hydrate the leaves and roots.
2. Put a coffee filter over the drainage hole of the new pot and fill the bottom third with potting soil.
3. Slide your plant from its original pot and inspect the roots.
4. Untangle the roots and break them apart. For tangled roots, cut using a sharp blade that has been sterilized with rubbing alcohol.
5. Set your plan in the new pot and add soil underneath the root ball until it is at the right level. The soil level should be one inch below the edge of the pot.
6. Hold your plant upright and add soil around the root ball, firming it occasionally to get rid of air pockets.
7. Keep adding soil until the root ball is fully covered and then water it well.
Caring for a Repotted Alocasia Zebrina
When caring for your repotted plant, consider the following:
1. Light
Position your freshly repotted plant where it is exposed to indirect light – a good place is close to the north-facing or east-facing window.
2. Temperature
Consider putting your repotted plant in an environment that has temperatures above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because Alocasia needs warmth to produce new growth above and below the ground.
3. Watering
Consider watering your plant whenever the soil feels dry on the surface. Add water to the soil until it trickles through the drainage holes. At the same time, avoid overwatering since soggy soil increases the likelihood of root problems.
4. Fertilization
Alocasia plants are light feeders but they do benefit from an application of a balanced fertilizer, like a 15-15-15 applied at ¼ strength every two months.
Newly repotted plants will not need fertilizer for a couple of months due to having fresh soil that supplies them with nutrients. Nonetheless, light application in the spring of the preceding year will help enhance growth.
Always apply fertilizer to moist soil to avoid burning your plant’s roots.
I hope this article has been beneficial to you and now you know what to do when repotting your Alocasia zebrina.
Thanks for reading!
