Alocasia melo, leaves as rough as an elephant's ears

On the island of Borneo lives an elephant with very round ears and much smaller than other pachyderms. Coincidentally, Borneo is also where the Alocasia melo plant was discovered. This elephant-ear plant, smaller than its congeners, has almost circular leaves with a unique texture.

How to recognize Alocasia melo?

Alocasia melo is a tuberous perennial with a bushy habit. It grows to between 25 and 35 centimetres tall.

The short, upright stem supports smooth, green petioles. While alocasia Jacklyn petioles are streaked with brown, those of Alocasia melo have burgundy spots on the underside.

The oval leaves have a pointed apex. They measure up to 25 cm in length and 15 cm in diameter. Their blue-green or gray-green upper surface is marked by dark veins. These give the leathery blades a wrinkled, bumpy appearance. The underside is light green and smooth.

Alocasia melo is toxic to animals. Like other varieties of the Araceae family, it contains oxalate crystals. These are generally released when the plant is chewed or ingested. They then cause digestive, respiratory and kidney disorders. They can also cause irritation to mucous membranes and skin.

Our maintenance tips

Alocasia melo are not plants to be placed in everyone's hands. They need light, rich soil, a little knowledge and a lot of attention.

Watering

Water your Alocasia melo when the soil is dry on the surface, using non-calcareous water. The soil should remain slightly moist and fresh, especially in summer. But it must not be waterlogged, otherwise the roots may rot.

Spray

Your Alocasia melo is a tropical plant. It appreciates humidity. Spray its foliage with water at room temperature.

Avoid calcareous water, which leaves white marks on the leaves. Prefer rainwater or filtered water.

Repotting

Every spring, repot your Alocasia melo to give it more space.

Repotting is a delicate operation. Take care not to damage the roots in the process.

Choose a pierced pot, preferably terracotta. This material distributes humidity and protects the roots. The pot should be larger than the root ball to give the root system room to develop.

Place a bed of clay balls or gravel and cover with a drainage filter. Fill the pot with potting soil for green plants. Add sand or perlite for drainage and compost for nutrients. Plant your Alocasia melo in the center and fill with substrate. The root ball should reach the surface. Tamp down and water for the first time to encourage rooting.

To improve humidity, place the plant on a saucer filled with moist clay balls.

Fertilization

To promote the growth of your Alocasia melo, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.

During the growing season, feed your Alocasia melo with a green plant fertilizer.

Cleaning

When dust accumulates on the leaves, the plant slows down its photosynthesis process and its growth. To keep your Alocasia melo healthy, clean its foliage with a damp, clean cloth.

Alocasia melo are toxic plants. Wash your hands after touching your plant, or wear gloves when handling it.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Take a young shoot with its roots. You can use a clean, sharp tool, such as a knife, to separate the shoot from the mother plant.

Prepare buckets with potting soil similar to that used for adult plants. Translucent pots are best. You'll be able to monitor root growth.

Place the bulbils on the surface, flat side down and pointed side up. Water and then place your bulbils in a greenhouse or transparent crate.

Diseases / Threats

Red spiders

Mealybug, accompanied by ants for its honeydew.

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Araceae - Araceae
Type	Alocasia - Alocasia
Species	Alocasia melo - Alocasia melo
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Half-shade
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting methods	In pots In tubs
Categories	Interior Rhizome Herbaceous
Tags	Soiffarde Toxic
Origin	Southeast Asia
Hardiness (USDA)	11a
Leaf color