Alocasia 'Ebony'

🌿 Botanical Name: Alocasia 'Ebony'

🐾 Pet Warning: Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, can cause oral irritation, pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. It's advisable to keep this plant out of reach of pets.

💧 Care Level: Moderate. Alocasia 'Ebony' requires specific care regarding humidity, watering, and light but is manageable with regular attention and care.

📏 Approximate Size: Alocasia 'Ebony' typically grows to about 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) in height and width. Its compact size makes it suitable for indoor spaces without taking up too much room.

Description: Alocasia 'Ebony' features stunning dark green, almost black leaves with a glossy texture and pronounced veining, set atop sturdy ebony-colored stems. Its dramatic foliage makes it a striking addition to any indoor plant collection, offering a touch of the exotic to home or office spaces.

🌞 Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate medium light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves, and too low light, which may cause leggy growth.

💧 Water: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Use filtered water or rainwater to avoid leaf spotting from tap water minerals.

💦 Humidity: Requires high humidity levels to thrive. Increase humidity around the plant using a humidifier, misting regularly, or placing it on a pebble tray with water.

🌡️ Temperature: Thrives in warm conditions, with ideal temperatures ranging from 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C). Protect from temperatures below 60°F (15°C), as cold can damage the plant.

❄️ Hardiness: Not frost-tolerant and best kept as an indoor plant in most climates, or outdoors only in tropical climates.

🌱 Fertilizing: Fertilize every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season with a diluted, balanced, liquid fertilizer. Reduce fertilizing in the winter months.

🔄 Re-potting: Re-pot in the spring every 1 to 2 years, using a well-draining, rich organic potting mix. Choose a pot slightly larger than the current one, as 'Ebony' does not like to be overly root-bound.

🌱 Propagation: Propagate through division of the rhizome during repotting. Ensure each division includes at least one growth point for successful propagation. Be mindful that propagation requires some care to ensure the health of the parent and offspring plants.