Alocasia zebrina ‘Reticulata’

Natural range of Alocasia zebrina

‘Reticulata’ is a named form of Alocasia zebrina. The species grows in warm Philippine rainforest from low to middle elevations. Gaps in the canopy provide filtered light, and regular rain keeps the ground moist.

Care for Alocasia zebrina ‘Reticulata’

• Light: Give it a bright position with protection from the strongest midday or afternoon sun. Increase direct exposure gradually.
• Watering: During active growth, keep the mix around the roots evenly moist rather than waiting for it to 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: The potting mix should stay loose after watering; avoid anything dense that turns soggy.
• Temperature: Keep it around 20–28 °C and away from cold windows or draughts. Move it away from cooler spots before temperatures fall below 16 °C.
• Humidity: If the room stays dry or dry leaf edges keep appearing, check the humidity and use a clean humidifier if needed.

Problems to check on Alocasia zebrina ‘Reticulata’

• A leaf stem bends and the leaf starts to hang. Check whether this is one clean crease from handling or whether several stems are losing firmness together. A single sharply bent stem may simply be physical damage. Stabilise the pot and prevent further knocks if the base of the plant remains firm; if several stems droop at once, check the roots and how wet the mix is instead.
• Leaves yellow while the plant is becoming soft. Check the mix before adding water. Water thoroughly if the root ball is clearly dry; if it is still wet and the plant continues to weaken, inspect the roots and base. Cut away any soft or rotten parts with a clean, disinfected blade, disinfecting it again between cuts. Discard the removed rotten material and repot the firm, healthy part in fresh mix that drains freely. Follow our root rot guide if rot is present.
• New leaves open with rough silver scars or tiny black specks. Inspect leaves that are still folded and the bases of the leaf stems for thrips. If you find them, isolate the plant and use a treatment labelled for thrips on indoor ornamental plants, following the label for repeat timing. If no pests are present, keep conditions stable and check whether the next leaf opens normally before treating for pests.
• Fine pale speckles appear beneath the patterned leaves. Inspect the lower leaf surfaces and main veins for tiny moving spider mites; the leaf pattern can make early damage harder to notice. If mites are present, isolate the plant, clean the foliage and use a treatment labelled for spider mites on indoor ornamental plants, repeating it only at the interval stated on the label. See our spider-mite guide for more help.

If you're not sure what is causing the problem, or the plant keeps getting worse after you have corrected the likely cause, send us clear photos of the plant and the affected areas so we can help.

Alocasia zebrina ‘Reticulata’: 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 zebrina and ‘Reticulata’ mean

Zebrina means “zebra-like” and refers to the banded petioles. Reticulata is Latin for “netted”, matching the pale network of mottling across the leaf blade.

George W. Johnson and Robert Hogg described Alocasia zebrina in 1862 in Journal of Horticulture and Cottage Gardener, volume 28, page 139. ‘Reticulata’ returned to cultivation in 1976, reached Fantastic Gardens by 1981 and was in horticultural use as a form of Alocasia zebrina by 1983.