Alocasia ‘Stingray’

Cultivated form and natural range of Alocasia ‘Stingray’

Alocasia macrorrhizos ‘Stingray’ is a form of Alocasia macrorrhizos, a species native to warm, rainy parts of the central Malay Archipelago, New Guinea and the western Pacific.

Growing Alocasia ‘Stingray’

Watering: Keep the roots evenly supplied while the plant is growing. Water again as the mix begins to dry, while some moisture remains deeper around the roots. Give the full root zone a thorough watering and allow the container to drain completely.

Potting mix: Choose a fertile mix that stays open around the roots and drains freely.

Light: Keep ‘Stingray’ in a bright spot where prolonged hot sun does not reach the leaves. Stronger light should be introduced gradually.

Temperature: ‘Stingray’ grows steadily at about 18–30 °C. Keep it clear of cold spots once temperatures approach sustained levels below 15 °C.

Humidity: Keep relative humidity near 60–80% around the foliage. Keep a soft flow of air around the leaves. Keep it bright and protected from the drying or chilling airflow produced by heaters and air-conditioning.

Feeding: Feed with a complete houseplant fertiliser while new leaves are growing, at a moderate dose. Provide fertiliser a little more often during vigorous growth. Hold fertiliser while the plant is growing slowly.

Repotting: Let Alocasia ‘Stingray’ fill its container before repotting; crowded roots or shoots are the practical cue.

Propagation: Propagate from a rooted basal offset, keeping the roots attached and using an airy mix around them.

Large drooping blades, scarred new leaves and light damage

• A large leaf droops and loses firmness: Check the potting mix and the leaf stalk before reaching for the watering can. A very dry root ball needs a thorough watering; if the mix is still wet and the roots or base feel soft, inspect for decay instead. Our root-rot guide explains the recovery steps.
• A fresh leaf has silver scars, black specks or new damage beyond its usual shape: Cupped leaves, waved edges and the long tail-like point are normal on ‘Stingray’. Irregular scarring and black specks are not. Check the newest folded growth for thrips and, if you find them, isolate the plant and use a treatment labelled for thrips on indoor ornamental plants, repeating it according to the label. The thrips guide shows what to check next.
• Broad pale or tan patches develop after a move to brighter light: Sudden strong sun can scorch the large glossy leaves. Move the plant away from harsh midday exposure and let it adjust gradually to stronger light. Damaged patches will remain visible, so use later growth to judge the change.

Alocasia ‘Stingray’: 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.

Why it is called ‘Stingray’

Macrorrhizos means “large-rooted”, from Greek makros, “large”, and rhiza, “root”. ‘Stingray’ is a mutant cultivar of Alocasia macrorrhizos named for the elongated leaf tip that gives the blade a stingray-like outline.

The cultivar was discovered in the Sarawak region, propagated in Thailand and reached the United States in the early 2000s.