How to Plant, Grow and Care For Alocasia Frydek

Alocasia ‘Frydek’ has steadily gained popularity due to its striking foliage. This tropical plant is commonly grown indoors as a houseplant but can grow outside in the appropriate zones. The unique foliage looks great mixed in with other houseplants or as a filler in a mixed patio container. 

Native to the forest floor of tropical rainforests, these evergreen tropical plants belong to the Araceae family, which also includes philodendron, anthurium, and monstera. Sometimes called “elephant ear plants,” the Alocasia genus includes 79 different species.

The ‘Frydek’ cultivar of Alocasia micholitziana comes from the Philippines. This variety of Alocasia produces arrowhead-shaped leaves that are deep green and velvety with clean white veining. The leaves are rather large and can get up to a foot long. Caring for this species can be tricky but isn’t overall difficult. 

If you are patient and establish a good schedule, caring for this plant is rather simple. Since they have become popular, you might have luck finding them at local garden centers. There are many sellers online, but be cautious of scammers. 

Alocasia is commonly grown indoors as a houseplant but can be grown outdoors in warmer months or year-round in tropical zones 10-12. Remember that they require different growing conditions depending on whether they are grown indoors or outdoors.

Propagation 

Alocasia is easy to propagate through two different methods: division and corms. This plant will not propagate by stem cutting. If you want to propagate your plant, do so in the spring or early summer. 

Division 

To perform propagation by division, you first must ensure your plant has at least 2 bulbs. Ensure your ‘Frydek’ is actively growing, and you can see new growth. Begin by removing the Alocasia from the pot and rinsing the roots to remove excess soil. 

Once the soil is removed, separate the bulbs with a sharp knife. Have your new pots ready with fresh potting soil to place the divisions into. Once the divisions are placed in the soil, evenly moisten the soil. 

Corms 

Propagating by corms can be a bit more tricky than by division. You need to choose corms that are attached to the main plant or that have their own roots. Corms sitting freely in the soil without any roots are dead. These corms will not grow and sit in the soil without any results. 

Begin by cutting the corms from the main plant. Once they are removed, place the corms in a shallow dish of water. You want to ensure the top of the corm is sitting above the water but the bottom is submerged. 

Cover the dish with a glass container to create a greenhouse effect. This glass dish will trap heat and humidity. Place the corms in medium to bright, indirect sunlight. Now, you only have to sit and wait to see if your corm propagations take. It can take upwards of a month to see new growth. 

If your corms turn mushy, there is a chance they can still grow and produce a plant, but the likelihood is slightly reduced. Transplant newly-formed plants into the soil once they are 2 to 3 inches long.  Place the new transplants back into medium to bright indirect sunlight with evenly moistened soil. 

Planting 

When you initially acquire your Alocasia, it will most likely come in a plastic pot. This is standard and not meant for long-term growth. You should remove it from the plastic container and plant it into a new pot about twice the size with proper drainage holes.

Remove your plant from the plastic container and dust the soil from the roots as gently as possible. Fresh soil will set your plant up for success. Fill the new container with fresh potting soil about halfway up the container. Regular houseplant soil blended with coco coir or perlite is ideal. Place the rootball into the hole and backfill the remainder with soil. 

Water the soil and place it in your desired location. Alocasia ‘Frydek’ gets anywhere from 2 to 3 feet tall, so short shelves and window sills are not ideal. It looks great in well-lit corners or as filler in patio containers. 

After planting, make sure to pay attention to signs of stress. It’s common for these plants to go through a period of shock after being transplanted. Ensure you understand its environmental requirements for optimal growth, and you will have a happy and healthy plant for many years. 

How To Grow 

Here are all the important growing conditions to have success with Alocasia. Understanding each requirement and providing those requirements for your plant will ensure it is happy and healthy for a long time. 

Light 

Alocasia ‘Frydek’ does best in bright, indirect sunlight when grown indoors. If you choose to grow outdoors, place it in partial shade. Alocasia plants shouldn’t be exposed to extended amounts of time in direct sunlight. Placing in direct sunlight can cause the leaves to burn. 

A good rule of thumb is to place the plant in a location that can cast a shadow. A shadow signifies there is bright light but not direct. Your plant should see less than 2 hours of direct sunlight per day to avoid damage. 

There is probably too much sunlight if you notice scorched patches or browning leaf edges. Placing these plants near a north or east-facing window is best to avoid damage. If you notice signs of burning, move it to a less bright location. The leaves should recover in a few weeks if the burn is minimal.

Water 

‘Frydek’ can be rather picky about watering. This species will not tolerate waterlogged soils and will begin to suffer if left in soggy soil. Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of the soil is dry. Be sure to water until you see water flowing from the bottom of the pot. 

How much and how often will depend on the conditions in your home and the time of year. If your home is warmer and on the drier side, you may need to water more often. Generally, during the spring and summer, it is actively growing. This is when your plant must be monitored closely for drying soil. 

Placing houseplants on a watering schedule (such as “every Tuesday”) can result in over or under-watering – nature doesn’t follow exact schedules like we do! Instead, check the soil by touching it to determine if it needs water. Be sure the pot has enough drainage holes to allow excess water to leave the pot. Check the drainage holes often to ensure they aren’t clogged, and don’t allow your pot to sit in a saucer of water. 

Soil 

This is an aroid plant similar to pothos or philodendron. These plants do best in airy, rich, and moist soil that is well draining. A standard potting mix is not the best because the plant needs a breathable potting mix. 

A soil that is amended with perlite, bark, and compost is best to avoid compacting the soil. The key takeaway is to use light, breathable soils, and standard indoor mixes can compact over time. You can create your own potting blend by mixing equal parts soil, perlite, bark (or coco coir), and compost or worm castings. 

Temperature 

Having the right temperatures to sustain this tropical plant is critical to its survival. Alocasia ‘Frydek’ is native to the Philippines and enjoys warm and humid conditions. This is why it’s commonly grown indoors because of its requirements. Keeping your home between 65 to 85 F is ideal. 

In zones 9 through 11, you can grow ‘Frydek’ outdoors year-round. Even if you live in colder regions, you can place your Alocasia outdoors during summer and bring it indoors when the weather cools. Monitor regularly to catch any issues that may arise when growing outdoors. Remember, they prefer partial shade when grown outdoors.

Fertilizer 

When this velvety houseplant is actively growing, you should apply either liquid fertilizer or a slow-release fertilizer. Starting in the spring, you can apply a liquid fertilizer once a month until fall.

High-nitrogen fertilizers should be applied less frequently. Slow-release fertilizers also require less frequent application because they break down organically over time. Read the direction of both liquid and slow-release fertilizers before applying. 

Pruning

Minimal pruning is required when caring for Alocasia ‘Frydek.’ As it grows, the lower leaves may turn brown and shrivel. Once they turn brown, you can pinch or cut the dead leaves from the plant. Removing these bottom leaves will make the plant look neat and clean and helps to prevent disease. 

Dusting 

Since this Alocasia produces such large leaves, dust can easily collect on the surface of the leaves. It is best to dust off the leaves of your plant weekly. Dusting will keep your plant healthy and allow it to capture the necessary light to survive. 

Dust buildup can lead to leaves not gathering enough energy from the sun and turning yellow or dying. Don’t use any household cleaners to remove the dust. Instead, lightly dampen a rag with water and gently wipe away the dust.

Products like “leaf shine” are unnecessary for Alocasia care and can leave a waxy buildup on the leaves. While it can temporarily make the leaves look nice and shiny, the waxy surface catches more dust than dry, untreated leaves, resulting in the need to clean them more often.

Repotting 

Alocasia ‘Frydek’ plants enjoy being a little root-bound, so they will not have to be repotted very often. On average, you can expect to repot every 2 to 3 years. It is best to repot during the active growth stage in the spring and summer. It will have an easier time recovering from transplant shock during this time.

Choose a pot one to two sizes bigger than the original container. You don’t want to use a pot that is too large because this often leads to overwatering.

Once you choose a new container, remove the Alocasia from the original container. Remove all the soil from the roots and place it into the new container with fresh soil. Water lightly and return to the desired location. 

Overwintering 

If you’re growing Alocasia outdoors, the plant will lose its leaves and enter a dormant state for the winter. Don’t panic if you notice the leaves are falling off. The foliage will return in the spring if the bulb is still firm. When grown indoors, this species will thrive through winter, but its growth will slow down. 

You will not need to fertilize during the winter because it isn’t actively growing and won’t absorb those added nutrients. Water once the first inch or so of soil is dried out. Once temperatures warm up again, you will begin to see new growth and can resume regular watering.

Common Problems 

You may encounter a few problems when caring for Alocasia ‘Frydek.’ Many of these problems stem from their growing conditions and are rather easy to fix. It’s important to adjust these growing conditions when you identify a problem. Allowing the problem to worsen can result in plant death. 

Leaves Falling Off 

A sudden change in the plant environment can cause the leaves to begin to fall off. A good example is when temperatures drop too low, the plant will lose its leaves. It is common for the plant in the fall to lose its leaves because of cooler temperatures. 

The plant shouldn’t be losing leaves during the spring and summer. If leaves begin to drop during these seasons, you need to evaluate the growing conditions. Is the plant getting enough sunlight? Did temperatures drop suddenly? Once you identify the problem, it will help you prevent other leaves from falling off. 

Yellowing Leaves 

There can be many causes for the foliage of your Alocasia to be yellowing. A common reason is under or over-watering the plant. Check the soil to determine if it is too dry or too soggy.

If moisture conditions are less than ideal, a simple soil or watering schedule adjustment should resolve the yellowing leaves. Transplant the Alocasia and improve the soil drainage by adding perlite, coco coir, bark, or peat moss. Cut back on watering to ensure the plant’s corms aren’t rotting.

Drooping Leaves 

Drooping leaves can signify several different stressors. Drooping can be caused by overwatering, which creates the ideal conditions to spur fungal root rot. It can also indicate underwatering. Transplant shock, temperatures stress, pest, and diseases can all cause the leaves to become droopy. 

You will have to investigate to determine the cause of drooping leaves. Look at all aspects of care to determine what is causing the leaves to droop. Typically, the plant will perk back up once you adjust the growing conditions.

Pests and Diseases 

No plant is completely immune to pests and diseases. With this tropical houseplant, it is best to catch and treat them as quickly as possible. Pests can easily get out of control and spread to other plants in your home. 

Sap-sucking insects such as aphids and spider mites are the most common pests found on Alocasia. 

Root and stem rot is a common disease that is brought on by overwatering your Alocasia frydek. If caught early, you can cut away mushy, brown roots and replant the plant in fresh potting soil. The plant has a good chance of growing out of the disease and recovering without any problems. 

Frequently Asked Questions