Ultimate Growing Guide for Alocasia Odora Plant

What is Alocasia Odora Plant?

Did you know that in some parts of India, the corms of this plant are being eaten? It contains calcium oxalate though, which is why it should be thoroughly cooked before eating. On sturdy stems, glossy, vivid green, paddled-shaped foliage resembling elephant ears are borne.

Individual heart-shaped leaves can reach a height and width of more than 3 feet. The spathe and spadix of these Alocasia flowers are pale peaches. They have a beautiful scent, especially at night, and bloom from late spring to early summer.

The seedpods, which are brimming with gleaming red berries, are exceptionally striking. Do you want to grow these as houseplants in your gardening space? Don’t worry, Plantly got your back! Read below to find out more.

Alocasia Odora Plant Care Basics

To get to know more about this plant, here’s the Alocasia odora at first glance:

Recommended Potting Mix

Rich, moist, well-draining soil is ideal for your Alocasia odora. Choosing loose soil rather than heavy soil is critical, as the latter would store too much moisture for an extended period. This puts your plant at risk of root rot.

Because this Alocasia likes to thrive near ponds and streams, you’ll need a lot of organic matter in your soil mix. A modest amount of peat moss and/or perlite added to your potting mix will significantly aid in the creation of a moisture-rich growing medium.

Pro tip: It is recommended to keep the soil pH from 5.5 to 6.5. This range makes all essential nutrients available to the plant.

Watering Needs

These water-loving Alocasia plants should be kept damp all year. However, it’s essential to keep the soil moist but not overly wet. It’s because the plant is more sensitive to fungal diseases when the soil is flooded.

On the other hand, they don’t like it when the environment is too dry. While your Night Scented Lily may withstand a few days of low water, it won’t be happy if it happens frequently.

They need to be watered daily and will do well half immersed in a pond or wicking bed. Immediately after planting or any time you transfer them to a new position, keep an eye out for indications of wilting.

Pro tip: These Alocasias are dormant during the winter, so they require less water.

Lighting 

Most Alocasia species can thrive in the shade, although they prefer filtered sunlight that is slightly brighter. You can place this plant near an East-facing window if you treat them as an indoor plant. If the leaves appear bleached or singed, relocate them to a dimmer location or cover them with a transparent curtain.

Planning to plant it outside? Choose a somewhat shady site or a shade garden. However, make sure it doesn’t get too much or too little direct sunshine, as both will affect how it grows.

Temperature & Humidity 

The Alocasia odora requires high humid conditions. It’s possible for these Elephant ear plants to die if the temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius). During the winter, certain kinds will die down and re-sprout from the rhizome.

Likewise, the plant needs protection from severe gusts. It’s a good idea to keep it away from winds, whether indoors or as an outdoor plant.

During arid conditions, there are a few techniques you can attempt if you need to enhance humidity. You put it on a pebble tray and fill it with water until it reaches just below the pot’s bottom. However, this may be a challenging option if the plant is already huge.

Alternatively, you can also create a humid environment by grouping plants together. Another option is to purchase a humidifier to help with the moist surrounding.

Fertilizer 

Alocasias, especially large species, can be heavy feeders. Feed with a liquid fertilizer that has been diluted to 50% of the recommended concentration. This will suffice for the plant to flourish. This should be done during the plant’s growing season.

Allow your plant to rest in the winter by not fertilizing it.

Pro tip: Giving your plants too much nourishment is worse than not giving them enough. Because they leave a salt residue in the soil, this is a problem. Fertilizer burn will occur, causing damage to your plant.

Propagation

The Alocasia odora is a rhizomatic perennial with a pungent odor. As a result, it sprouts from a rhizome. And yes, division is the most effective strategy to grow the plant. Spring and summer are the best times to propagate your Alocasia odora. 

Here’s how you will do it:

• Carefully remove the plant from its pot.
• You should see a lot of tubers once it’s out. And it’s your job to keep them isolated from the mother plant. It’s because each plantlet has the potential to become its own plant.
• Fill the new pots with fresh soil once they’ve been separated. Then place them in their appropriate containers. Remember to use well-draining soil and water often to keep the soil moist.
• Place the plants in a warm, humid environment with plenty of bright, indirect light once they’ve arrived at their new homes. Make sure to water your plants regularly. Then, you could see the roots sprouting in a few weeks, and there you have another new Alocasia odora!

Growth Zone

USDA zones 7b through 11 are suitable for Alocasia odora. However, it thrives best in zones 9 to 11, where it may stay outside all year without much assistance from you. When the winter comes, you’ll need to keep it warm in zones 7b to below zone 9.

Its leaves will be damaged if this does not happen.

Potting

It is not necessary to repot your Alocasia odora regularly. Alocasia varieties should be repotted into larger pots every year with fresh, well-draining potting soil. Repotting your plant is also best done in the spring or early in its growing season.

This enables it to take advantage of timing after receiving a new potting mix and greater space for its roots to flourish. Repotting in the spring also aids in the recovery of plants that have been traumatized by repotting. 

Pruning

The majority of your trimming will consist of removing dead, dying, damaged, or discolored leaves. Yellow, brown, and spotty leaves should also be clipped off to keep the plant healthy. It doesn’t get out of control like vines, and other climbers do, despite its size. This ensures that only low-maintenance pruning is required.

Alocasia Odora Varieties and Similar Plant

I know you are excited to learn if there are still more varieties like this beauty, right? Well, you’re right! There are still more beauties like this one. Alocasia comes in over 70 different types. Because of their visual attractiveness and their most gorgeous foliage, they have won the most stunning-looking prize. Some Alocasia types have leaves that can reach a length of three feet! Here they are:

Alocasia macrorrhizos ‘Giant Taro’

Giant Taro is another name for the massive Alocasia mycorrhizas. It is a plant that grows really quickly and has a beautiful large green rosette leaf. It can be cultivated both inside and outside.

Alocasia micholitziana’ Frydek’

This is the most beautiful Alocasia plant. This unusual plant rose to prominence only a few years ago. It hardly ever sends flowers. The leaves are always the main attraction. The stems aren’t as thick as they used to be. But it has white veins in its green leaves.

Alocasia sarawakensis

This plant has a striking and exotic appearance. It makes patent leather-like leaves with a glossy finish. The surface of the leaves is a serene, cool grayish-green, and the underside is a chocolate milk tint. This beautiful princess appears robust while holding her leaves straight and erect.

Alocasia Odora Diseases & Pests

Mealybugs, scale, aphids, and spider mites are common pests of Alocasia odora. Spray the plant with warm soapy water every few weeks to keep pests away and maintain it dust-free. And yes, these are inevitable, so use ultra-fine insecticide oil or neem oil if an infestation occurs.

The pests and their eggs will be killed by these products.

Crown, stem, root rot, leaf spot, and Xanthomonas infection are among the fungal infections these plants are susceptible to. Disease symptoms include black or dark brown patches on the leaves with a golden rim around them. The diseases can be avoided by following proper watering procedures; do not overwater these plants.

Maintain good air circulation around and near the plant by keeping the foliage dry.