How often should I water an Alocasia?

An Alocasia drinks steadily while it is growing, then may rest almost completely over winter, so the routine has to change with it.

Plant

Season

Light

Every 5–7 days

A starting point, not a rule — check the soil before each watering and let the top few centimetres dry out first.

Always confirm with the soil: water when the top 2–5 cm is dry, whatever the calendar says.

Light and warmth

Alocasias, the elephant ear plants, want bright, indirect light; their large, thin leaves burn in direct summer sun and the plant sulks in a dim corner. In good light near a window in summer the calculator’s figure is every 4–6 days, more often than most plants here. Warmth matters as much as light: below about 15°C growth stalls and water use falls with it.

Pot and soil

They grow from a corm and have fleshy roots that rot easily in dense compost, so use an airy mix with plenty of bark and perlite, in a pot that drains well. Aim for soil that stays lightly moist through the growing season, watering when the top 2–3 cm is dry. Alocasias are toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.

Through the year

In medium light the calculator starts at every 5–7 days in spring and summer, 7–9 in autumn and 8–11 in winter, or 10–15 days in low light in winter. Many alocasias go dormant in the cold months and lose most of their leaves. If yours does, keep the soil barely damp and wait; the corm usually resprouts in spring.

Too much or too little

Too much water shows as yellowing leaves, often the oldest first, with soft brown stems and a corm that feels squashy. Too little makes the big leaves droop and the edges turn brown and crisp. Alocasias often drop an old leaf as a new one unfurls, so a single yellowing leaf is no reason to change anything.

The plant watering calculator explains how the intervals are worked out for every plant on the list.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my Alocasia losing all its leaves?

In autumn and winter this is often dormancy rather than death. Shorter, cooler days lead many alocasias to die back to the corm. Cut away the dead leaves, water only enough to stop the soil drying out completely, and keep the pot somewhere warm. Check the corm is firm; if it is, new shoots usually appear in spring.

Why are my Alocasia leaves drooping?

Drooping on dry soil means it needs water; it should lift within a day of a thorough soak. Drooping on wet soil is more serious and usually means the roots are rotting, often after a cold spell. Other causes are low light, which makes the stems stretch and flop, and a recent move, which the plant may react to for a week or two.

Leaflet works out this schedule for every plant you own and reminds you.