Araceae
Alocasia lowii
Alocasia lowii
Bright indirect light, soil kept lightly moist but never soggy, and high humidity. Keep it above 10 °C all year, away from cold draughts and radiators. Feed in spring and summer. All parts are toxic, so keep it away from children and pets.
Every 7 days
Partial shade
10° - °C
60% - %
Categories
What is Alocasia lowii?
Alocasia lowii (Alocasia lowii) is a medium-care plant from the Araceae family. Alocasia lowii is an elephant ear with large, arrowhead-shaped leaves that are dark green on top, often with silvery or whitish veins, and light green or purple underneath. The leaf stalks are brown and mottled. Botanists now treat it as a synonym of Alocasia longiloba, a species of moist forests fr...
Alocasia lowii grows up to 1.5m, watering every 7 days. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 14 days.
How to Care for Alocasia lowii?
TLDR: Alocasia lowii needs Partial shade, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 10-30°C with 60-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Alocasia lowii?
Keep the soil evenly moist and water when the top third has dried out, about once a week in warm weather. Water less in winter. Standing water in the pot causes root rot.
How Much Light Does Alocasia lowii Need?
Bright, indirect light near a window. An hour or two of gentle morning or winter sun is fine, but strong summer sun scorches and bleaches the leaves. Too far from a window, it grows lopsided toward the light.
What Is the Best Soil for Alocasia lowii?
A rich, airy, well-drained, slightly acidic mix. Houseplant compost with perlite works well; add some grit for larger plants.
What Pot Should You Use for Alocasia lowii?
A pot with drainage holes, only slightly larger than the root ball. Plastic or glazed ceramic holds moisture better; repot every 2 to 3 years.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 28 days
Misting
Every 7 days
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is Alocasia lowii and Where Does It Come From?
Alocasia lowii is an elephant ear with large, arrowhead-shaped leaves that are dark green on top, often with silvery or whitish veins, and light green or purple underneath. The leaf stalks are brown and mottled. Botanists now treat it as a synonym of Alocasia longiloba, a species of moist forests from southern China to Southeast Asia, but the houseplant trade still uses the name "lowii" for this form. In the wild it reaches 1.5 m; in a pot it usually stays around 60 to 70 cm with a few large leaves. Its flowers are a greenish to white spathe, followed by small orange fruits. It is one of the parents of the hybrid Alocasia × mortfontanensis.
How to Propagate Alocasia lowii?
Division of corm offsets
Wear gloves, as the sap irritates skin. Do not overwater freshly divided plants.
- 1 In spring, take the plant out of its pot and loosen the soil from the roots
- 2 Separate the offsets or small cormlets growing from the corm, each with some roots
- 3 Pot each one in a small pot of moist, well-drained mix
- 4 Keep warm, bright and humid until new leaves appear
Materials needed:
How Big Does Alocasia lowii Grow?
TLDR: Alocasia lowii can reach up to 1.5m tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
1.5m
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Alocasia lowii?
TLDR: Alocasia lowii is susceptible to 8 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Fun Facts
The name Alocasia means "different from Colocasia", the taro genus.
The spadix of many alocasias warms up when in flower, spreading scent to attract insects.
Its fruits are small orange berries, each with one large seed.
Frequently asked questions
Are Alocasia lowii and Alocasia longiloba the same plant?
Is Alocasia lowii toxic?
Why are the leaf tips turning brown?
What is the minimum temperature?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Fieldcap | Medium | Low light | 2d | ⚠️ |
| Azalea | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ⚠️ |
| Muriel's Bamboo | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ✓ |
| Bougainvillea | Medium | Direct sun | 7d | ⚠️ |
