Alocasia 'Mickey Mouse'

Description: The Alocasia 'Mickey Mouse' is known for its distinctive leaf shape, with foliage that resembles the silhouette of Mickey Mouse, especially as the leaf matures and splits. The plant's leaves are a deep green color with prominent veins, and sometimes the leaves feature a splash of lighter green or yellow, adding to its visual appeal.

🌿 Botanical Name: Alocasia 'Mickey Mouse' - Xanthosoma sagittifolium 'Variegatum Monstrosum

🐾 Pet Warning: Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, causing 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 'Mickey Mouse' requires attention to its specific care needs, especially regarding humidity, watering, and light, making it a bit more challenging than some other houseplants.

📏 Approximate Size: Alocasia 'Mickey Mouse' can reach about 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) in height and width, featuring large, uniquely shaped leaves that capture attention.

🌞 Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. Can tolerate medium light levels but may lose some leaf coloration and vibrancy. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it can scorch the leaves.

💧 Water: Maintain consistently moist soil, but avoid waterlogging. Water when the top inch of soil begins to dry out. Use distilled or rainwater to prevent leaf spotting from tap water minerals.

💦 Humidity: Requires high humidity levels to thrive. Employ a humidifier, mist the plant regularly, or place it on a pebble tray with water to increase the surrounding humidity.

🌡️ 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 cause damage.

❄️ Hardiness: Not frost-tolerant and best grown as an indoor plant in most climates, or outdoors in tropical climates where temperatures remain within its ideal range.

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

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

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