How to Grow Alocasia Robusta & Soil Culture

Alocasia robusta is the largest-leafed monocot plant of the Alocasia genus. In fact, the Alocasia robusta has the largest undivided leaves in the plant kingdom. Commonly named the elephant ear, the alocasia is a tropical plant suitable for growing only in zones 8b through 11. Since it grows to such a large size, you usually need only one or two plants to give a real tropical look.

Shovel
Wheelbarrow
Peat moss
Compost
Vermiculite
Potting soil
Large plant pot

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare a rich soil for the Alocasia robusta plant. It thrives in the rich, wet soils of bogs, so use water-retaining materials like peat moss. Mix a combination of equal parts of dampened peat moss, vermiculite, well-rotted compost and potting soil in a wheelbarrow or other large container. Add enough water to make it a pudding-like mixture.
- 2
  Fill the plant pot with the mixture, leaving about 2 inches at the top of the container for watering space. Dig a hole in the center and bury the tuber under about 3 inches of the wet soil.
- 3
  Keep the plant outside where it will get at least six hours of sunlight per day. The alocasia will tolerate full sunlight if the soil is wet.
- 4
  Fertilize the Alocasi robusta plant with a liquid plant food every two weeks to compensate for the rapid growth of the leaves. Use a balanced fertilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

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