RARE PLANT FAIRY CARE GUIDE

Alocasia 'Loco'

At a Glance

Bright, indirect.South or west-facing window, or full-spectrum grow light.

Allow top 1–2 inches of soil to dry before watering. Keep evenly moist but never wet.

HUMIDITY LEVEL60–70%+

PET SAFETYContains calcium oxalate crystals; toxic to pets and humans if ingested.

Genus Profile

Alocasia is a genus of around 100 species of tropical aroids native to Southeast Asia and parts of Australia. In the wild they grow as understory plants beneath forest canopy, which is why they crave bright, filtered light and consistent humidity. Most Alocasias grow from corms, dense bulb-like structures at the base of the plant, which is what allows them to go dormant and bounce back after stress or cold. Indoor Alocasias are almost always hybrids or cultivars descended from a handful of species: A. sanderiana, A. longiloba, and A. zebrina show up in the parentage of most of the collector-grade plants you’ll find today. The genus as a whole is characterized by bold, architectural foliage, strong venation, and a growth habit that makes each new leaf an event.

Species Profile

Alocasia ‘Loco’ was introduced by Deroose Plants in Apopka, Florida, and made its debut at the Tropical Plant International Expo in 2010. Its parentage is understood to be A. sanderiana x A. longiloba ‘Watsoniana’, likely as a somaclonal mutation of Alocasia ‘Mandalay’, which is itself a mutation of the widely known Alocasia ‘Polly’. After its debut, Loco essentially disappeared from the market for years. It was re-established through tissue culture in 2023, which is how it made its way back into serious collections.

What makes it worth tracking down: Loco is a compact hybrid with ruffled, undulating leaf margins, triangular foliage, and strong white venation against deep green. The deltoid leaf shape and distinct silver veining make it a genuinely unique Alocasia, different in character from the smoother jewel hybrids and more dramatic than the everyday Polly it’s related to. It stays compact, which makes it a good fit for collectors with limited space who don’t want to give up visual impact.

Routine Care

Weekly

Watering, Humidity & Temperature

Water when the top inch or two of the soil mix has dried out. Alocasias want consistent moisture but are sensitive to sitting in wet conditions; the root zone should never be soggy. In practice this usually means watering every 5–10 days depending on your light, pot size, and season. In winter when growth slows, stretch that interval out further and let it dry a little more between waterings.

Humidity should stay at 60% or above. Loco is not exceptionally fussy compared to some Alocasia species, but like all members of the genus it will show its displeasure at dry air, typically through browning leaf margins. A humidifier running nearby is the most reliable solution. Grouping plants together helps somewhat but rarely gets you to the levels this genus actually prefers.

Temperature should stay between 65–85°F (18–29°C). Keep Loco away from cold drafts, AC vents, and windows that get cold at night in winter. Alocasias stop growing and can go dormant below 60°F, and temperatures near or below 50°F can cause real damage.

Monthly

Fertilizing & Pruning

During the active growing season (spring through early fall), fertilize every 2–4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Alocasias are moderate feeders; consistent light fertilizing through the growing season will support faster growth and better leaf quality than occasional heavy doses. Reduce fertilizing in fall and stop through winter while the plant is growing slowly or not at all.

Pruning is minimal with Loco. Remove any yellowed or damaged leaves at the base by cutting cleanly with sterilized scissors. Loco will naturally shed older leaves as it pushes new growth, which is normal and not a cause for concern as long as new leaves are emerging. Do not remove healthy green leaves in an attempt to redirect energy; the plant manages this on its own.

Seasonal

Repotting, Support & Propagating from Corms

Repot when roots are circling the bottom of the pot or beginning to push out of drainage holes, typically every 1–2 years. Go up one pot size, as Alocasias can be slightly snug and will rot more easily in oversized containers with too much moisture-retaining mix around the roots. Use a chunky, well-draining aroid mix. Our RPF Aroid Soil Mix is what we use in our nursery and it is well suited to Loco’s needs.

Loco is a compact plant and does not require staking or support structures like moss poles. Unlike vining aroids, it grows upright from a central corm and won’t benefit from climbing support.

The most reliable way to propagate Alocasia is through corm division. When you repot, inspect the base of the plant for offset corms, the small dense nodules attached to or separated from the main root ball. These can be removed and potted individually in moist moss or a fine aroid mix. Keep them warm and humid and they will eventually produce new growth. This is a slow process and results won’t come quickly, but it is reliably successful when conditions are right.

Fairy Diary: How Alocasias Are Propagated (And Why It Matters for Collectors)

Grower's Notes

Loco: My Loco dropped a bunch of leaves suddenly. Is it dying?

Probably not. Alocasias are notorious for dropping leaves during transitions: after shipping, after repotting, after a season change, or after any significant shift in environment. If the corm is firm and healthy and at least one leaf remains, the plant is almost certainly fine. Keep conditions stable, resist the urge to overwater in response to stress, and wait. New growth will follow.

Why are the leaf edges browning?

Low humidity is the most common cause. Alocasias are very sensitive to dry air, and Loco is no exception. If your humidity is below 50%, browning margins are almost inevitable. Cold drafts and inconsistent watering can also cause this. Check your humidity first, then rule out watering issues before assuming anything more serious.

Is this plant safe for my pets?

No. All Alocasias, contains calcium oxalate crystals throughout its tissue. Ingestion causes intense irritation of the mouth and throat in both pets and humans. Keep it out of reach of cats, dogs, and small children.

The leaves are yellowing. What’s wrong?

Yellow leaves on Alocasia are most often caused by overwatering. Check the soil. If it has been consistently wet and the roots smell off, you may have early root rot. Pull the plant from its pot, trim any soft or mushy roots, let it dry slightly, and repot into fresh mix. If the roots look fine and the yellowing is on an older, lower leaf, it is likely just the plant naturally cycling out older foliage.

My Loco isn’t producing any new leaves. Should I be worried?

In winter, this is normal. Alocasias slow significantly or stop growing entirely in low light and cooler conditions. If it is spring or summer and growth has stalled, check light levels first. Loco needs bright indirect light to grow actively. A plant sitting too far from a light source will simply hold its leaves and wait.

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