Alocasia gageana 'California'

Wow your guests with this tropical plant's dinner-plate leaves. Compared to its relatives in the wild, this plant is small - but it doesn't look it in comparison to other houseplants. Its lush, forest green leaves grow on top of long stems in large, rounded, almost heart-like shape, with its veins texturing the surface and slightly crinkled edges. Growing up to 3ft (90cm) tall, this plant makes a statement in your space. Bring a piece of the tropical rainforest into your home with this gorgeous Alocasia, and itr will repay your care with more gorgeous, prehistoric foliage.

Scientific Name
Alocasia gageana 'California' (Gage's not-colocasia, cultivar: California)

This plant was reclassified in 2022. This plant is now more properly named Alocasia odora 'California', or Alocasia odora var. california. The original description of A. gageana has now been deemed a synonym of Englerarum hypnosum.

Common Name
Elephant Ear, Asian Taro, Night-Scented Lily, California Upright Elephant Ear

Origin
This plant is native to tropical and subtropical areas in Southeast Asia.

Light
Alocasias love light; if you get them used to it gradually, they can take plenty of direct sun too! (You just might need to watch them in the height of summer.) An east- or west-facing window would be ideal here, but south-facing works too as long as you're careful at the height of summer.

Water
Allow the soil of your Alocasia to almost completely dry out before you water again; these plants like drier roots than other Aroids.

Humidity
Alocasias are jungle plants, but average household humidity will usually be fine for them. Keep them away from operating heaters and radiators, and out of draughts, which will dry them out too much. If you notice your California's leaves getting brown and crispy round the edges, the plant may benefit from the introduction of a humidity tray to increase local humidity.

Soil
A chunky soil with plenty of elements to retain moisture (like coir and bark) alongside elements that aerate soil (like vermiculite and zeolite) will work well here. Look out for mixes designed for alocasias. Repot every couple of years as the plant grows; Alocasias prefer to be slightly root bound, so only repot when absolutely necessary.

Food
Feed every four waters in the growing season, reduce to every six in autumn and winter. Water before fertilising to prevent the fertiliser burning the roots.

Temperature
Likes temperatures of 15-30°C; don't let it get below 10°C in winter.

Pet-safe
No, this plant is toxic to pets and small humans.

Sprouts Top Tips
Alocasia can be prone to spider mites, so keep an eye out for these tiny, spider-like critters and the webs they make around the base of plants.
Alocasias are less thirsty than other aroids, so it can be easy to over-water; allow at least three quarters of the soil to dry out between waters. It might be easiest to test this with a wooden skewer or chopstick!