The Alocasia Stingray has caught the interest of many people. The airy stem structure and monochromatic leaves of Alocasia Stingray make any room feel classy and elegant.
What’s the best part? It’s an exquisite and one-of-a-kind houseplant that requires only moderate care. Nonetheless, despite being a simple plant, Alocasia Stingray has some flaws.
The Alocasia Stingray does best when exposed to bright but indirect light. It prefers soil that is well-drained but still moist. During the growing season, maintain high humidity and a warm temperature between 64.4-71.6°F (18-22°C), and fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a high-nitrogen fertilizer.
But don’t worry, because I’ll be with you every step of the way as you care for your Alocasia Stingray!
Contents
- What Does An Alocasia Stingray Look Like?
- Is This A Good Houseplant?
- Alocasia Stingray Care Details
- How to Care for Alocasia Stingray?
- Common Alocasia Stingray Problems and How to Fix Them
- Toxicity: Is Your Alocasia Stingray Safe for Pets?
- Alocasia Stingray Care Tips
- FAQs
What Does An Alocasia Stingray Look Like?
Alocasia Stingray’s shape resembles that of a marine animal. This is where the name ‘Stingray’ came from.
Its special features include large leaves and a distinctive stingray shape, which points upward and outward, showing the ribbed, wrinkly, and mono-colored green surface.
It can grow up to 1 to 1.2 meters high. It’s fast-growing if you can ensure ideal environmental conditions. Alocasia Stingray has a unique and simplistic beauty that improves your home style.
Is This A Good Houseplant?
Alocasia Stingray is an incredible houseplant! It’s simple, minimalist and unique. It has an aesthetic shade of glossy green.
You can put it anywhere and it will surely add a classy and stylish vibe to any room.
Studies have shown that Alocasia Stingray is a natural filtering system of air molecules. It filters air pollutants and chemical gases coming out of your furniture.
Not only this, there are a lot more benefits such as boosting mood for it brings a feeling of liveliness inside your home.
It improves your state of mind which gives subliminal effects that give happiness and elevate the spirit. A place that has this plant at home brings a natural feeling of activeness and positivity.
Lastly, having an Alocasia Stingray as a houseplant produces an uplifting chemical linking with productivity and mood.
Alocasia Stingray Care Details
We will chew over and explain thoroughly everything about taking care of your Alocasia Stingray. But before we finally go over to the details, here is a table that contains the important facts that you’ll need to remember.
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Scientific Name | Alocasia macrorrhizos |
| Family | Araceae Family |
| Common Name | Elephant Ear |
| Type | Perennials |
| Max Growth (approx) | 1.2m (120cm) |
| Watering Needs | Regularly but in a smaller amount, to achieve moist but not soggy soil. Water it less in winter. |
| Light Requirements | Bright, indirect light |
| Humidity | Above-average humidity |
| Soil | Well-drained but moist |
| Fertilizer | Diluted balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks during spring weeks. |
| Season | Spring/Summer |
| Temperature | 64.4°F (18°C)-71.6°F (22 °C) |
| Pests | Aphids, Spider mites, and Mealybugs. |
| Diseases | Leaf-spot disease, botrytis, and root or rhizome rot. |
| Propagation | Rhizome division, cutting bulbs |
| Pruning | Removed yellow or dying leaves and plants. |
| Repotting | Every 6 months to 2 years. |
| Toxicity | Dogs, Cats, Children |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zone | 9b-11 |
How to Care for Alocasia Stingray?
We’ve mentioned that this plant requires moderate care. What’s important is that you know the basic growing conditions and try to stick to them as much as possible.
Alocasia Stingray Water Requirements
It’s essential to water Alocasia Stingray regularly during its growing season which is in spring or summer.
However, it requires less watering during the winter. Water regularly but in small amounts.
Whenever you see that the top 2 inches of the soil are dry, pour water into the pot until you see the excess water run out from the draining holes. Do this approximately one to two times a week.
This is to keep the Alocasia Stingray’s soil moist rather than watering all at once. We don’t want to end up with soil that’s soggy and soaked which is very prone to root rot. Remember to do it little but often.
Alocasia Stingray Light Requirements
Alocasia Stingray flourishes under bright but indirect light. The recommended place for your Alocasia Stingray is the south or west-facing window.
However, when placing your Alocasia Stingray beside or near a window that gets direct sunlight, make sure to put a sheer curtain between the window and the Alocasia.
Or, you may at least put it a few feet away from the window to avoid scorching the leaves. A little shade will do no harm but direct light will scorch the leaves.
Temperature
Alocasia Stingray loves warm and cozy conditions making spring and summer its growing season. The ideal temperature is between 64.4°F (18°C) to 71.6°F (22°C). Never put it in a temperature that’s below 50°F (10°C).
Always remember that too high or too low temperature won’t be good for your Alocasia Stingray.
High temperature causes the leaves to curl, dry, and develop crisp edges. Meanwhile, low temperatures will cause your Alocasia leaves to yellow and droop.
Humidity
Your Alocasia Stingray loves an above-average amount of humidity. Remember to mist frequently and try to stand it in a pebble tray with an inch deep pebbles so its bottom won’t dip into the water.
The water that evaporates from the pebble tray will surely increase the humidity of your beloved Alocasia.
You can also put it near the shower sometimes to give the boost it needs. One of the best ways to ensure humidity for your Alocasia Stingray is by placing a humidifier.
Grouping with other plants is also an effective way of increasing humidity. Also, keep the plant away from the direct airflow of the radiator or air cooler.
Alocasia Stingray Soil
Alocasia plant care starts with good soil. The recommended mix where they will thrive best would be one part soil, one part perlite or coarse potting sand, and one part peat.
This mixture will ensure that the soil is well-drained, aerated, and moist. Your Alocasia would definitely thrive with slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5). This soil pH is considered ideal for nutrient availability needed by your Alocasia.
Fertilizing Alocasia Stingray
Spring is the active growth period for Alocasia Stingray. It’s essential to increase the soil’s fertility by adding a little bit of compost.
Carefully scratch the top inch or two of soil without touching the plant’s roots, then, bury the organic fertilizer.
Feed your plant every 2 weeks from the start of spring until August. After that, refrain from feeding your plant and resume it in the next spring.
The best fertilizer for an Alocasia Stingray is a balanced and water-soluble fertilizer such as the 10-10-10 formula.
Dilute ¼ teaspoon per gallon of water. For exact directions, always check and follow the product label.
Propagating Alocasia Stingray
Wondering how to propagate your Alocasia Stingray? No worries! I’ll teach you the step-by-step guide.
1. Remove the plant from its pot and eliminate all the excess soil away from the roots. You may also gently wash the roots with water so the soil would perfectly go away.
2. After cleaning the roots from excess soil, the multiple clumps and some offsets will start being visible. Let it dry a little.
3. Gently divide the rhizome and separate offsets. Use a sterilized scissor to cut the too tangled roots.
4. Pot the individual offshoots to separate containers with a good potting mix. Water the pot thoroughly and let it drain well.
5. Propagate it every spring or summer.
How to Repot an Alocasia Stingray?
Alocasia Stingray loves slightly compacted conditions, but eventually, it will need to be repotted to refill its soil. Here is how you’ll know that your Alocasia Stingray needs repotting:
- You’re starting to see the visible roots on the surface of the soil.
- Roots are growing out from the drainage holes below the pot.
- Your Alocasia Stingray starts to wilt between waterings.
- The growth of it is slowed.
- White salt crystals are starting to form on the surface of the soil, an indication of salt build-up from fertilizers used.
Younger Alocasia Stingrays need repotting every 6 months or so. However, older Alocasia Stingrays with slower growth only require repotting every few years.
The best time to repot it is in autumn and spring for Alocasia Stingrays grows best in warm conditions.
Step-by-step instructions for properly repotting your Alocasia Stingray:
- When repotting an Alocasia Stingray make sure to use a pot that is 2 inches larger than the previous one. The best recommendation is to use a 36 inches pot for larger Alocasia Stingrays giving them enough space to grow and providing enough soil volume to keep the roots moist.
- Water the Alocasia Stingray 1 hour before repotting to loosen the roots and soil making it easier to handle during repotting.
- Put a coffee filter over the drainage hole of the new pot and then fill the bottom third of the pot with potting soil.
- Carefully remove the Alocasia Stingray from its previous pot.
- Observe the roots, untangle them, and break them apart. If the roots are hard to untangle, get a sharp blade and wipe it with rubbing alcohol. Cut the roots with the cleansed blade.
- Put the Alocasia Stingray with the same depth as its previous pot.
- When the plant is finally set, add soil underneath the root ball. Fill in the spaces with the potting mix and make sure that the plant is properly erected.
- Water the pot thoroughly and let it drain. Bring it back to its location.
A quick and helpful tip:
A plastic pot is highly recommended than ceramic or unglazed clay pots, for these types of pots will absorb moisture away from the soil. Also, make sure to have enough drainage holes for the excess water to run through.
Pruning and Trimming
The Alocasia Stingray has a USDA plant hardiness zone of 9b through 11. This means that they might not even go into their dormant stage.
This is why pruning and trimming are an important part of taking care of your Alocasia Stingray to make it flourish and boost its strength.
Follow the procedures below when pruning or trimming your Alocasia:
1. Use a serrated knife and a hand pruner that has been previously sanitized. Protect your hands with gloves when handling the plant.
Do not touch your eyes and mouth for the plant has toxic properties that can possibly cause nausea, diarrhea, and delirium. (Source: NC State University)
2. Observe your Alocasia leaves for symptoms of damage. In cold weather, leaves and stems are prone to turning yellow.
3. Cut the fleshy stem at the base of any yellowed, aged, or diseased leaves.
4. Carefully create a U-shaped cut at the petiole of the yellowed leaves so that new growth can generate from the petiole.
5. In the trimming method, if there is just a small part of the leaf that has damage or discoloration at its edges, you can trim them off along with the blemishes. Just follow the natural shape of the leaves.
Common Alocasia Stingray Problems and How to Fix Them
Pests
Although Alocasia Stingray isn’t the type to usually have pests, it isn’t exactly free from it.
Spider mites and mealybugs are the common dwellers on the said plant. Observe both sides of the leaf and its midrib to check for foreign inhabitants.
Spider mites are always in search of chlorophyll and they are transparent critters that you can’t easily see with the naked eye.
On the other hand, mealybugs are white pests that can be seen after a while. When not treated early, it can cause great damage to the plant.
How to Fix:
Eliminating pests is one of the major challenges faced by every plant parent. To solve the said issue, here are some tips you could follow:
1. Isolate your Alocasia Stingray from your other plants to avoid spreading the pests.
2. Rinse both sides of the leaves and stem with soapy water or dish soap. Rub the surface with diluted neem oil and spray again with clean water. Finally, wipe the leaves off with a clean cloth.
3. After a few minutes, increase humidity by misting the Alocasia Stingray. Spider mites love dry conditions so it’s better to humidify the condition around the plant from time to time.
Make sure to do all these on both sides of the leaves and their stem. Petioles are the favorite place for the bugs to stay so make sure to keep it in check as well.
Diseases
Alocasia Stingray is prone to diseases such as leaf spot disease, botrytis, and root or rhizome rot.
They give big damage to the plant that’s why treating them is important. Otherwise, the plant can possibly die.
Leaf Spot Disease
Alocasia Stingray has a leaf spot disease when you see the leaves having brown, orange, or yellow spots that slowly spread to other areas.
This happens when the Alocasia Stingray experiences poor air circulation from high temperature and high humidity. Sometimes, it came from overwatering and root rot.
How to Fix:
- Locate the critically affected leaves and cut them off. Check the surface of the soil for fallen debris, and remove them.
- Use a hose and gently wash your Alocasia Stingray before applying a fungicide.
- The best product to use to treat the disease is a fungicide that contains chlorothalonil. It will help treat the disease and to prevent the plant from having it again in the future. Read the manufacturer’s label for recommended use.
- Wash the plant regularly and eliminate dust particles to allow air to freely pass through.
Botrytis
Botrytis attacks both the foliage and the flower. You will notice this when the flowers start to have small black or orange spots. The leaves will have small yellow spots or elongated streak wounds.
Also, check the surface of the soil below and observe debris that turns into molds over time.
The common cause for this is when your Alocasia Stingray has excessive moisture on both foliage and flowers.
Poor circulation, dark locations, and high humidity levels invite the said disease as well.
How to Fix:
- Sterilize your scissor and gently but immediately cut the infected areas of Alocasia Stingray’s leaves and flowers.
- Check for the fallen debris on the surface of the soil below. Immediately remove them because it can easily spread in your Alocasia Stingray and its neighbor plants.
- Use a hose to gently wash off the dust and other unwanted debris in the plant’s leaves and flowers.
- Spray the foliage with a fungicide.
- Isolate your Alocasia Stingray in a sheltered location for a week. Make sure the area is well-lit, far from other plants, and far from direct sunlight.
- Keep an eye on the plant for 3 weeks and when the symptoms stop occurring, you can finally bring it back near other plants.
Root or Rhizome Rot
Root rot has two sources, the first and most common is overwatering. When the water stays in the soil longer than it should, the soil turns soggy.
Lack of aeration, lack of light, or insufficient drainage holes are the common reasons why overwatering occurs.
Another source is the presence of fungi in the soil. Fungi usually rest in the soil just waiting for the ideal condition to grow and multiply.
When the soil consistently gets damp, they suddenly appear and attack the roots causing them to rot.
How to Fix:
- Remove the plant from the soil and wash the roots gently with water.
- Get a sharp scissor and make sure to sterilize it before use. Your hands should be clean too to avoid spreading the disease. Now, gently cut all the affected parts of the root.
- Throw away the previous soil because it’s already infected with the disease.
- Wash the plants with a bleach solution. Dip the remaining healthy roots in a fungicide solution to eliminate the remaining fungus.
- After treating the root rot or rhizome rot, repot the Alocasia Stingray using a clean, sterilized potting mix. This time, make sure to use aerated soil and check its drainage capacity.
- While waiting for the roots to grow again, do not feed the plant fertilizes until you’re sure that it has already recovered. This is to avoid stressing the roots. After this, hopefully, your Alocasia Stingray will recover from the root or rhizome disease.
Alocasia Stingray Drooping
Your alocasia stingray may be drooping because of over or underwatering or lack of light, temperature stress, or exposure to drafts. However, you do not have to worry because you can easily treat and prevent it!
Overwatering
Overwatering causes root rot and as a result, the roots lose the capability to absorb water and nutrients. When your Alocasia Stingray can no longer absorb water and nutrients, the leaves will begin to droop.
You will notice the symptoms by observing soggy soil, leaf yellowing, wet brown spots, and rotting smell.
How to Fix:
- Check and make sure that your pot has enough and functional drainage holes.
- Observe if the potting soil/mix has enough drainage capacity. If the water stays on the surface of the soil too long, you might consider using other potting mixes.
Underwatering
You will notice the sign of underwatering when your Alocasia Stingray dries easily a few days after the watering and start showing brown crispy leaves.
How to Fix:
- Water whenever the topsoil or the half-inch above the soil feels dry.
- Also, misting between watering for humidity helps to avoid dry and crispy leaves.
Lack of light
Alocasia Stingray is a plant that’s best for bright but indirect sunlight. When neglected and given insufficient light, it can cause the leaves to droop.
Whenever Alocasia Stingray receives light, it receives the energy for photosynthesis too.
When light is absent, it stops receiving the needed energy for the production of its own food. The plant gets starved eventually.
How to Fix:
- Relocate your Alocasia Stingray to an area with bright but indirect sunlight or anywhere well-lit.
- Consider using an artificial light source to augment the lack of natural light.
Alocasia Stingray Leaves Turning Yellow
Like Alocasia Stingray’s drooping problems, there’re also a lot of reasons why your Alocasia Stingray leaves turn yellow. It includes overwatering, underwatering, nutrient deficiency.
You’ll notice due to overwatering soil starts being soggy and the roots start to rot, this can cause your Alocasia Stingray’s leaves to have discoloration and turn yellow.
On the other hand, it can also be caused by underwatering. You’ll notice it when there are signs of yellow discoloration of the leaves, stunted growth, and wilting caused by persistent droughts and direct sunlight.
Nutrient deficiency is also reflected in the leaves, mostly by being chlorotic in appearance. Lack of nutrients such as iron, nitrogen, manganese, etc. can lead to this condition.
How to Fix:
When you’ve finally known the reason why your Alocasia Stingray has yellow leaves.
Now, you can take this course of action to slowly help them regain their healthy and mono-colored leaves.
If it’s from overwatering, you should consider repotting the stingray.
The direction is the same as the few guidelines above. Consider sufficient drainage holes, aeration, and the soil’s drainage capacity.
However, if it’s from underwatering, consider taking an eye off your Alocasia Stingray, water whenever the top half-inch of the soil feels dry.
You May Also Enjoy: Alocasia Polly Turning Yellow (Causes and How To Fix It)
Alocasia Stingray Brown Spots on Leaves
Brown spots on the underside of your Alocasia Stingray and pale brown spots on the top side are called rust.
If you neglect, symptoms will persist and could actually turn into a potential fungal disease that could lead to the entire leaves browning and drooping.
How to Fix:
- Remove the leaves that have brown spots.
- Use a fungicide to stop the spread of this problem.
- Avoid overwatering. Water the plant in the morning so that it’ll have enough sunlight and time to dry, eliminating the chance of water-soaked soil and root rot.
Alocasia Stingray Dying
Have you noticed that your beautiful Alocasia Stingray looks like dying? If yes, don’t panic too much, they might be in their dormancy period! The dormancy period means your Alocasia Stingray is just resting.
The signs that your Alocasia Stingray has gone dormant include dropping off of leaves or the plant looks almost dead. Either way, there are ways to revive it so that it goes back to being a flourishing and healthy plant.
How to Fix:
If your Alocasia Stingray has gone dormant, these are the few things that you can do.
- Eliminate pests.
- Dust your Alocasia Stingray.
- Provide just the right amount of water.
- Maintain humidity.
- Provide proper lighting.
Alocasia Stingray Black Stem
Alocasia Stingray stem rot is caused by overwatering. Stem rot will change the color of its stem to black, making it mushy, and unhealthy. Stem rot and root rot are partners and are both a result of overwatering.
How to Fix:
Assess how severe the damage is by checking on the roots. If it’s too mushy and smelly, the plant is probably dead.
However, when healthy, white, firm roots exist then you can still save it by repotting.
- Remove the plant from the pot. Be careful in handling the base of the plant. Rotten portions are usually weak and will easily disentangle.
- Wash the roots gently with running water.
- Prune the brown and mushy roots with sterilized scissors. Keep the healthy roots intact.
- Plant in a new container using fresh potting mix.
In repotting, like the other problems above, the things to consider are sufficient drainage holes, soil’s drainage capacity, and aeration.
Toxicity: Is Your Alocasia Stingray Safe for Pets?
Is Alocasia Stingray Toxic to Cats?
Alocasia Stingray contains toxins that can make any mammal ill when ingested, especially with cats.
It contains calcium oxalate, which can damage the oral and throat parts, all the way to the stomach, creating swelling in the esophagus of any cat.
When the plant gets in contact with the cat’s eye, it can also lead to inflammation.
Other symptoms you can observe are swollen tongue, eyes, or lips, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and excessive drooling.
Once symptoms start showing, go to your vet immediately for this should be treated as a medical emergency.
Is Alocasia Stingray Poisonous to Dogs?
Despite the beautiful appearance of Alocasia Stingray, it contains a lot of toxins that can be fatal to your dog when consumed and not treated immediately.
When your dog ingests the plant, the first symptom that will occur is also the deadliest one. The airway will start to swell causing the dog’s inability to breathe.
What you can do is wash your dog’s mouth with cold water. Wash its face and eyes to eliminate the residue of the plant. After doing this, immediately bring the dog to the veterinarian.
Other symptoms that you might observe include abdominal pain, delirium, diarrhea, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, eye pain, etc.
Alocasia Stingray Care Tips
- Do not panic if some leaves fade and die, especially in winter. It’s probably in its dormancy period.
- Humidity is an important part of Alocasia Stingray’s care. You can put the plant in a bright bathroom or near a humidifier to increase humidity. Utilize a pebble dish to save time and money.
- Make sure to give your Alocasia Stingray bright but indirect sunlight.
- Always dust off your Alocasia Stingray by wiping it with a damp cloth and keep them dry and healthy.
- Remember to give your Alocasia Stingray well-draining soil to avoid overwatering problems.
- It’s good to have neem oil on hand. It’s all-purpose horticultural oil that you can use as miticide, insecticide, and fungicide.
- Keep the soil moist but well-drained. Check if the pH ranges from 5.6 to 6.5 (acidic and neutral).
- Reduce watering during winter.
- Use an artificial light source when light natural light is insufficient (i.e. winter season).
- Make sure to sterilize your knife/ scissors when pruning or trimming.
FAQs
Is Alocasia Stingray Rare?
Alocasia Stingray is considered rare for its unique form of tropical Elephant Ears. Wherever room you want to put it, it adds an exotic touch. The stem is considered unique with its mottled pattern similar to Alocasia Zebrina,
It is very eye-catching. It’s rare yet on-trend because of its exceptional feature.
How Often to Water Alocasia Stingray?
Allow the top 2-3 inches to dry between watering to ensure that your Alocasia Stingray isn’t going to be overly soaked in water.
During winter, it will take longer for the soil to dry due to cold temperatures. This time, you need to reduce the watering frequency.