Alocasia ‘Chocolate Green’

Origin and background of Alocasia ‘Chocolate Green’

The breeder and parent plants of Alocasia ‘Chocolate Green’ are unknown.

Care for Alocasia ‘Chocolate Green’

• Watering: Check the mix around the roots rather than relying on the surface. Water before the pot dries through, and allow a little more time between waterings if cooler conditions keep the mix damp for longer. Water until excess runs from the drainage holes. Let the pot drain, then empty any water left in the saucer or cover pot.
• Light: Place it in a bright position with softened light and protect the foliage from harsh direct sun.
• Potting mix: Choose a fertile mix that drains readily and does not stay soaked for days.
• Temperature: Keep it around 18–29 °C and away from cold windows or draughts. Move it away from cooler spots before temperatures fall below 15 °C.
• Humidity: Alocasia does best with medium to high humidity. Keep it in a bright spot away from heaters and air-conditioning. If the air is dry, place it near other houseplants that like similar conditions, leaving space between the leaves, or use a clean humidifier.

Common problems with Alocasia ‘Chocolate Green’

• Several leaves turn yellow at the same time: Before changing anything, rule out a watering problem. A dry root ball needs a thorough watering. If the potting mix is still wet while the plant is losing strength, check the roots for rot. If watering is not the issue, look at whether the light or temperature has changed recently.
• Tiny pale dots start spreading across the leaves: Check underneath and around the veins for spider mites or fine webbing. Keep the plant away from your other plants if mites are present. Use a treatment labelled for spider mites on indoor ornamental plants, and repeat it only as directed on the label.
• Small dark flies keep appearing around the pot: Watch how they move. Fungus gnats are slender and tend to flutter up from the potting mix when disturbed; shore flies are stockier and more likely to run across the surface. Remove dead plant material from the surface and adjust the watering so the mix is not staying continuously damp. If fungus gnats persist, choose a treatment whose label covers fungus-gnat larvae in potting mix and indoor ornamental plants, and repeat it only as directed on the label.
• Growth slows noticeably and each new leaf takes longer to appear: Check warmth and light first. If both are good but the pot has stayed wet for a long time or the plant was recently repotted, inspect the roots before adding more fertiliser.

Alocasia ‘Chocolate Green’: toxic if chewed

• Pets: This Alocasia is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep the plant and any cut pieces where pets cannot chew them.
• Children and handling: Keep it out of reach of children. Sap from damaged tissue can irritate skin and eyes, so wash your hands after pruning and avoid touching your face.
• Why it irritates: Alocasia tissue contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing or contact with sensitive tissue can cause immediate local irritation.
• Possible symptoms: Mouth exposure can cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, nausea or vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
• After exposure: For a pet, contact a veterinarian. For a person, remove any plant material from the mouth and rinse with water; seek medical or poison-control advice if symptoms are significant. Breathing difficulty or rapidly increasing swelling needs urgent medical attention.

Botanical name history for Alocasia ‘Chocolate Green’

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott introduced Alocasia in 1832 as a section within Colocasia. George Don published Alocasia at genus rank in 1839. The accepted conserved author citation is Alocasia (Schott) G.Don.