Alocasia melo

Natural habitat of Alocasia melo

Alocasia melo is native to Sabah in northern Borneo, where it grows on steep banks beside fast-flowing rainforest streams. Its roots occupy thin soil and cracks in mineral-rich rock. Rain and stream water keep the roots moist, and the shallow rocky ground drains quickly.

Care for Alocasia melo

• Watering: Wait until the upper part of the mix begins to dry, then water before the potting mix dries all the way through. Avoid both constant wetness and a full dry-out. Water until excess runs from the drainage holes. Let the pot drain, then empty any water left in the saucer or cover pot.
• Potting mix: Use a coarse, very loose mix that keeps a little even moisture without becoming dense.
• Light: Give Alocasia melo shade to soft, bright light and keep it out of prolonged direct sun.
• Humidity: Keep the air humid, particularly as fresh foliage unfurls.
• Temperature: Keep it around 20–29 °C and away from cold windows or draughts. Move it away from cooler spots before temperatures fall below 15 °C.

Alocasia melo: signs of trouble

• Dry pale patches develop after a move to a brighter position: Check whether the leaves are now receiving direct sun. Shift the plant back to filtered light while keeping the position bright enough for growth. Existing damage will remain; the next leaves should open without new scorch.
• A fresh leaf unfurls misshapen with scraped marks or black specks: Inspect the leaf while it is still partly folded and look for thrips. Separate the plant if insects or fresh droppings are present. Use a treatment labelled for thrips on indoor ornamental plants, and repeat it only as directed on the label.
• New leaves are getting smaller and the plant is making less growth: Compare its current warmth and light with the conditions it had when growth was stronger. Correct a cool or dim position first. If nothing has changed above the soil, inspect the roots before adding extra fertiliser; if the roots look healthy as well, avoid making more changes and see how the next leaf develops.

Alocasia melo: 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.

What melo means

Melo means “melon” and refers to the thick, rounded, strongly textured leaves, reminiscent of a melon rind.

Alistair Hay, Peter Charles Boyce, and Khoon Meng Wong first described Alocasia melo in 1997 in Botanical Magazine, volume 14, page 84.