Alocasia Odora is a beautiful exotic plant that is found in tropical regions and rainforests of Japan, China, and other Eastern and Southeastern parts of Asia. Like other Alocasia varieties they are known as ‘Elephant Ears’, while this particular species is also called ‘night-scented Lily’ for its night time fragrance, and ‘Asian taro’.
Grow
To ensure that your Asian Taro grows into a proper healthy looking plant, a few requirements would need to be met.
First things first, remember that this is a large houseplant that can grow 6-8 ft tall. Make sure you grow it in a location where the space is available, as well as one that meets the plants basic growing needs.
This Alocasia, like others in the same family, is usually grown indoors in temperate climes. However, it may also potentially be grown outside in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. When grown outdoors in these zones it can be hardy, and will do best in full or partial shade.
Light Requirements
The large leaves of the Alocasia Odora require as much bright indirect sunlight as possible when grown indoors. So be sure to place them in a room that meets such conditions. A position in an east-facing window could be ideal.
Excessive direct sun can damage the leaves as they might get singed or bleached. If you can’t avoid direct sunlight, then make use of a curtain or light cloth to provide shade for your night-scented lily.
Humidity And Temperature
Since these plants grow in tropical jungles in their native range, we need to mimic the conditions of those forests as closely as we can inside our homes. One feature of course is that these forests are humid places. So like other rainforest plants, Alocasia odora needs humidity to be reasonably high in order to thrive.
Grow these plants in a bright, humid room such as a bathroom or conservatory, or, where humidity may fall too low, group houseplants together, mist, and/or place water-filled pebble trays below the plants.
The ideal temperature for the Alocasia Odora is from 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything outside this range could kill your plant.
Soil/ Potting Mix Requirements
Alocasia odora requires a moist yet well-draining soil or growing medium. The potting mix you choose should be peat free for environmental reasons. It should be rich in organic matter and slightly on the acidic side. A pH level that ranges from 5-5 to 6.5 is best.
Care
Alocasia Odora requires little maintenance. Its giant leaves and sturdy roots are designed to flourish and survive a wide range of conditions.
Water Requirements
Your goal when watering this plant is to maintain soil moisture at all times. Do not let the potting mix dry out entirely, but equally, do not allow waterlogging to occur.
Dry soil is terrible for the Asian Taro, it could lead to it wilting so don’t leave them without water for too long. Wet soil can be just as detrimental. It can lead to root rot and other fungal issues.
Remember, water needs vary throughout the year. In the growing season, you should always water consistently to maintain soil moisture.
In cold and winter seasons, the Alocasia Odora requires very little watering, This is because the plant becomes dormant during this time.
Feeding Requirements
Only feed Alocasia Odora during the plant’s growing season. Although the Asian taro is a heavy feeder, fertilizing it during the cold season can do more hard than good.
Choose a well-balanced, organic liquid plant feed and ensure you dilute it to about half of its initial strength before using it. In general, you will only need to consider feeding around once a month or so during the period of active growth.
Propagating Your Alocasia Odora
Alocasia odora can be propagated by division between spring and late summer. As it is a perennial, rhizomatic plant, you can quite easily take a mature plant and divide it into sections.
Make sure that each section has roots attached. As long as a division has both roots and above ground growth, it should have a good chance of survival.
Pruning Requirements
Pruning your Odora Alocasia shouldn’t be an everyday affair. It requires low maintenance so you shouldn’t have to worry about it growing out of control.
However, do ensure you remove dead, damaged, or discolored leaves by nipping them off from the lower end of their stems. Use a sterilized knife to avoid infection.
Repotting Requirements
Repotting your Alocasia Odora shouldn’t be done often. In fact, it is recommended that you repot your Asian Taro only when the roots fill the pot and begin to emerge at the base.
Repot the plant into a container just slightly larger than the previous one, with some new growing medium. Make sure you choose a suitable free-draining yet moist potting mix.
Toxicity
If you are considering growing Alocasia odora as a houseplant, note that its leaves are quite toxic to humans and animals when ingested. They also contain calcium oxalate crystals which could cause irritations in the eyes and the skin.
Common Pests And Diseases
Odora Alocasia is susceptible to a few diseases and pests. Some of these pests and diseases that you have to be on the lookout for are:
- Mealybugs.
- Aphids.
- Spider Mites.
- Scale.
- Root Rot.
- Xanthomonas Infection.
- Leaf Spot.
Proper care, especially when it comes to watering, and good hygiene in houseplant care, can help reduce the chances of any serious issues taking hold.
