Alocasia boyceana

Alocasia boyceana is a tropical plant from the Araceae family. Alocasia plants are also known as the African Mask or Elephant ear plants, Alocasia boyceana especially is nicknamed as the Upright Elephant Ears plant due to the angle and shape of their leaves. Alocasia boyceana has as a rhizome growing structure and it will grow rapidly during the summer months. Alocasia plants can form a new leave every week during the warm summer months. Alocasia plants are native to the tropics of Asia. The leaves of Alocasia boyceana are acuminated at the end of the leave, the leaves are attached to the petiole almost at their centre. At their centre the leaves are split into two parts, and both sides grow alongside of the petiole and also acuminate at their ends. The leaves are coloured bright green and can have up to 5 or 7 primary clearly visible veins. The petioles of Alocasia boyceana are generally coloured pale with little brown spots, but the petioles can also be almost black or clearly green. One plant can have petioles with all those different colours. Araflora advises to place Alocasia boyceana at a place out of reach from pets and small children since they are toxic when ingested.

While Alocasia boyceana is a tropical plant it thrives with a higher humidity level, therefore Araflora advises to mist the plant on a regular basis and it can be placed on a pebble tray with a small layer of water. Alocasia boyceana prefers bright but indirect light, be careful with exposing it to too much direct and bright sunlight since this might discolour or even scorch its beautiful foliage. It is important to keep the temperature above 15 degrees Celsius, so the preferable temperature range for this plant is from 15 to 27 degrees Celsius. Araflora provides Alocasia boyceana with a well-draining and a well-aerated soil mixture that has an pH of around 5.5 to 6.5. The soil should be kept moist but not get drenched since this can cause root rot. Watering is best done when the top few centimetres of the soil are dry to touch, reduce the watering frequency during the colder months. Alocasia boyceana will like to receive some regular liquid houseplant fertilizer bi-weekly from March to September. Araflora does advise to use only half of the recommended dosage of the fertilizer.