Alocasia Lauterbachiana Care

Alocasia Lauterbachiana Care Tips & Growing Guide 2023!

If you own an alocasia lauterbachiana, congratulations, you possess a plant that is as beautiful as it is hard to pronounce out loud! However, you may be wondering about the ins and outs of alocasia lauterbachiana care.

We’ve gathered enough research to cover what alocasia lauterbachiana actually is, how to take care of it, and even where to buy one if you don’t have one already!

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What is Alocasia Lauterbachiana?

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The alocasia lauterbachiana is a poisonous, flowing plant in the family Araceae. It can be found in the wild growing in New Guinea as well as the Bismarck Archipelago. The plant is beloved as a houseplant, despite it’s poisonous nature, and can be identified by it’s sword-shaped leaves. 

In fact, it is these leaves that earned the alocasia lauterbachiana the additional names: purple sword, silver sword, and baroque sword, though it has also been called Elephant Ears!

Features of Alocasia Lauterbachiana

The alocasia plant is distinguished by how high it can grow, the flowers it produces amidst it’s characteristically-shaped leaves, and it’s lifespan. The features of an alocasia plant are as follows:

  • Height – A healthy alocasia lauterbachiana can grow up to fifteen feet tall as well as eight feet wide.
  • Flowers and Leaves – The leaves of an alocasia lauterbachiana are long, able to grow up to two feet, and feature wavy edges. The flower of the plant is colored purple, matching the underside of the leaves around it, and is often veined with purple, too. It can and will flower throughout the year when healthy.
  • Foliage and Stem – The long, two-toned leaves of the alocasia plant are supported by sturdy stems which combine to create the main body of the plant itself. The stem extends downward into the root system similarly to that of a tree.
  • Evergreen – The plants leaves can be described as evergreen, without changing color or form due to season and maintaining their waxy texture and dimly green coloration.

Basic Care of Alocasia Lauterbachiana

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The care of an alocasia plant is covered by the following standards:

  • Size and Growth
  • Light Requirements
  • Water Requirements
  • Soil Requirements
  • Sunlight Requirements
  • Temperature and Humidity
  • Drought and Disease Resistance
  • Toxicity
  • Fertilizing
  • Potting and Repotting
  • Pruning Requirements

Below we’ll cover each of these standards particular to the alocasia lauterbachiana.

Size and Growth

An alocasia lauterbachiana can, as aforementioned, grow up to several feet in height if in the proper conditions. The average height of the domestically grown alocasia is about five feet, with three feet being it’s standard height when cared for indoors.

An alocasia plant grows quickly in a very short amount of time if given proper sunlight, exposed to the correct humidity levels, and given enough water.

Light Requirements

An alocasia plant thrives in bright conditions, requiring a light source overhead. It will grow quickly under this type of lighting, but can also survive as long as it is within two meters of a sunny window.

Water Requirements

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An alocasia has sensitive roots and should not be given cold water. Instead, focus on giving the alocasia lauterbachiana just enough water to keep the top third layer of soil moist. In autumn and winter, this can be lessened.

Soil Requirements

A lauterbachiana needs soil that is well-draining, light, and has a pH level that is between 5.5 and 6.5.

Sunlight Requirements

An alocasia will not survive long in direct sunlight, which will burn it’s leaves. Early morning sunlight for one to three hours is optimal in the summer, with less exposure in the winter and autumn months.

Temperature and Humidity

The lauterbachiana is a plant that thrives in humid conditions. It should be kept between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in terms of temperature, and should be around humidity levels that are at least 70%. It cannot tolerate any frost or cold.  

Drought and Disease Resistance

The lauterbachiana is only somewhat drought-resistant, tolerating heat and humidity well. However, it does not last long if it goes without water for more than two weeks. In terms of disease resistance, the lauterbachiana is susceptible to stem and root rot and leaf spots.

Toxicity

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According to Plantophile.com, the lauterbachiana is incredibly poisonous, containing oxalate crystals which can cause swelling in the gastrointestinal tract if ingested and reduce the ability to breathe.

Fertilizing

Lauterbachiana is a big eater, enjoying liquid fertilizers and very small amounts of granule fertilizers throughout their growing season.

Potting and Repotting

Potting this plant must occur every year, moving the lauterbachiana into a larger space with new soil. During repotting, the roots should be divided to increase it’s chances of growing larger.

Pruning Requirements

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A lauterbachiana needs regular maintaining, cutting the highest, dead leaves away as often as they are noticed.

Outro

Acacia lauterbachiana care can be easy thanks to the plant’s tropical origins and hardiness when it comes to humidity and forgetting to water. It only requires overhead light, indirect sunlight, enough water to keep it’s first layer of soil damp, and repotting every year!

Properly caring for your lauterbachiana will lead it to exhibit all of the beautiful traits of it’s species: growing up to 5 feet in height and displaying evergreen, purple-and-green colored leaves which produce flowers in any season!

Buying Options

The Alocasia can be purchased on Amazon and Etsy. The price for the plant varies so to get the cheapest price check both marketplaces. Click on the Links below to check the prices.

Check Price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why is my Alocasia Lauterbachiana leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing lauterbachiana leaves are a signal that your plant is dying due to improper care. This could be from over-watering your plant. Additionally, the leaves of the plant turn yellow when they are not exposed to enough light or given enough water. Refer to the section on watering and light for solutions!

How do you take care of alocasia indoors?

An alocasia can be cared for indoors by making sure it is exposed to bright overhead light but indirect sunlight, watering it enough to keep the first three layers of soil damp, and pruning away dead leaves.

Why is my Alocasia Lauterbachiana drooping?

Similarly to yellowing leaves, drooping specimens of the lauterbachiana are caused by improper methods of care like too much sunlight, less than 70% of humidity conditions, and the incorrect amount of water given to the plant.

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