Alocasia cucullata

One of the easiest AND most beautiful Alocasia plants we've seen to date. Our first shop premises was a small Victorian place with no heating and constant cold air coming through gaps in the door frame. All of our Calatheas and Alocasias had to be kept away from the front, near heaters and grow lights but not this guy!

In years of keeping these we've hardly even seen a crispy leaf. They don't mind getting cold, dry, and generally being abused in our experience! If you are looking for a great starter plant to get you into tropical aroid plants, this is the one for you.

Lighting requirements

Typically Alocasias are tropical rainforest plants that require warm, bright conditions but nothing too strong in terms of sunlight. The cucullata has glossy, deep green leaves that form perfect heart shapes, which allow for a lower light than some Alocasias in our opinion.

We have found keeping these kinds of plants in a South facing room, 1-2 metres from the window is best. This is because not only will the room be bright, it'll also be warm enough to keep them happy. 

Because the cucullata is much hardier than other Alocasias, they will also be happy in a North, East or West facing room, just a little closer to the window. Feel free to experiment with this flippin' incredible plant, it can handle it!

Watering needs

Again, typical proceedings with Alocasias would be to wait until the top half of the compost is dry before watering. However, we have found the cucullata can go completely bone dry for a day or two quite happily. 

Best practice however, is to not let the plant get this dry on a regular basis. Leave to dry around half to three quarters of the way through, and then give a thorough soak.

Our cucullatas have always been fine with tap water, but to be completely spoilt, rain water or boiled cooled water is ideal. If your Alocasia needs some extra TLC you can also give it lukewarm water, which simulates the warm tropical rain of its homeland!

Temperatures

As mentioned above, Alocasias like it warm. The cucullata doesn't seem to care much what temperature it is, but they are definitely an indoor only plant and will dislike cold air, draughts and large changes in temperature.

Compost and potting

Alocasia's and aroids love a loose, fibrous potting mix. Think 50% peat free compost, 40% coco coir and 10% perlite just for gigs.

They also grow quick, so be sure to check at least twice a year to see if the roots are overgrown, bunched around the bottom of the pot. 

Disclaimer

EVERYONE'S HOMES ARE DIFFERENT! This is what works for us, over years of trial and error and first hand experience with this plant. However, there may be some whacky environmental condition present in your home that affects plants in a whacky way. This we cannot take any responsibility for, but we'd love to chat to you about it! Contact us at the Mint HQ in Bristol if you've got any queries or comments!