Transplant shock is probably the reason why your Alocasia is drooping. Alocasia leaves also droop when it is watered improperly, i.e., overwatering or underwatering. Alocasia could also droop if it doesn’t get adequate sunlight or humidity.
Alocasia is grown indoors for its beautiful foliage, which makes it one of the most striking indoor plants. Alocasia is a genus of broad-leaved perennials.
Alocasia grows out from thick tubers. Alocasia is native to subtropical regions. That’s why it needs high humidity.
It is easy to take care of Alocasia but sometimes it does run into some issues. Let’s see why your Alocasia is drooping and how to fix it.
Alocasia drooping after repotting
Alocasia plant is drooping probably due to transplant shock. Transplant shock is seen in Alocasia when the plant’s repotted improperly.
Most plants get shocked when moved to a new pot. This is usually because the roots get disturbed in the repotting process.
Leaf dropping, yellowing and wilting are seen in Alocasia if it’s experiencing transplant shock.
Transplant shock also occurs if you repot your Alocasia at the wrong time. Alocasia is vulnerable to transplant shock especially after blooming.
You need to understand that transplant shock only occurs when the current conditions are quite different from the previous conditions.
How to treat transplant shock in Alocasia
- Does the new pot have enough drainage holes? If not, drill some holes at the bottom of the pot.
- Place your Alocasia in the same location it previously was. This helps ensure the plant gets the same amount of light, humidity.
- Prune off the dead leaves to encourage new growth.
Prevent transplant shock in Alocasia
- Don’t damage the roots of your Alocasia when repotting it.
- Use the same potting mix you used before repotting it. Changing potting mix has adverse effects on your plant.
- Don’t transplant your Alocasia in the spring/just after blooming. The plant is quite weak at this stage and can’t take it.
- If roots get removed, remove the top growth of your Alocasia too.
- Water your Alocasia adequately to prevent transplant shock.
Should I cut off drooping Alocasia leaves?
Yes, cut off the drooping Alocasia leaves using a sterilized pair of pruning shears. They’ll fall off themselves but you can prune them off if you want.
Pruning off the dead leaves encourages new growth. Trim the leaves as close to the base as possible.
Alocasia yellow leaves drooping
Alocasia leaves turn yellow and wilt if the plant gets too much water. Waterlogged conditions cause drooping in Alocasia.
Overwatered Alocasia
Alocasia needs water but it doesn’t like waterlogged conditions. Only water your Alocasia when it needs some.
Check the soil with bare fingers and water only when the top 2 inches of the soil go dry. This helps prevent overwatering.
Also, check if the pot has drainage holes. If the pot doesn’t have drainage holes, it’ll also lead to waterlogged conditions.
If you think the soil is heavy, amend it by adding Perlite to it. If you confirm overwatering is the issue, stop watering your Alocasia immediately.
Increase the ventilation around your Alocasia. If needed change the pot. Check for any signs of root rot in your Alocasia.
You can also spray a fungicide as a preventive measure.
Underwatered Alocasia
Alocasia leaves also wilt when it doesn’t get adequate water. Underwatered Alocasia leaves wilt and turn brown.
You need to find the sweet spot between underwatering and overwatering your Alocasia.
Check the soil with bare fingers and water when the top two inches of the soil goes dry. This is the best way to water Alocasia.
Underwatered Alocasia’s leaves go limp first, then wilt. The leaves turn brown if they don’t get enough water for a while.
How to fix an underwatered Alocasia
Place the pot in a sink. Fill the sink up to 3/4ths with water. Let the roots absorb water through the drainage hole.
Keep the plant pot in the sink for 45 minutes. Take it out from the sink and let the excess water drain away through the holes.
Feel the soil with your bare fingers, if it doesn’t feel moist throughout, water it again.
Drain excess water in the pot/sink and place your Alocasia back in its spot. From now on, check the top 2 inches of the soil with fingers and water when it feels dry.
Alocasia stem bending
Alocasia stem bends and looks weak when it doesn’t get adequate sunlight. Alocasia leaves might also droop when the plant doesn’t get adequate sunlight. Alocasia thrives in a sunny spot.
Just because your Alocasia has dark leaves doesn’t mean it likes to be in a dark location. If it’s too dark the leaves will wilt.
Move your Alocasia to a bright location if you confirm the issue is the darkness. Move it to a place where it gets bright, indirect sunlight.
Placing your Alocasia near eastern windows is the best way to provide them the light they require.
Humidity
Alocasia is a tropical plant, it loves to be in humid areas. Alocasia leaves droop if it doesn’t get adequate humidity.
You can increase the humidity around your Alocasia by misting the plant regularly. You can also move a humidifier near your Alocasia.
Another way to increase humidity around your Alocasia is by placing a water-filled pebble tray near the plant.
One can place three or four plants around one such pebble tray. Test the humidity and make sure it’s above 40% at all times.
How do you fix droopy Alocasia?
Below are some instructions to fix droopy Alocasia.
- Water your Alocasia consciously. Check the soil with bare fingers and water only when the top 2 inches of the soil are dry.
- Make sure your Alocasia gets adequate sunlight. Alocasia thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. Placing the plant near an eastern window works wonders.
- Make sure the humidity around your Alocasia is above 40%. Increase humidity by misting your Alocasia or placing a humidifier near the plant.
- Be careful when trasnplanting your Alocasia, make sure you don’t damage any roots. Try to provide your Alocasia the same conditions it had experienced before to avoid transplant shock.
- Changing any external conditions abruptly affects your Alocasia badly. Keep this in mind and take good care of your beautiful plant.
Happy Gardening 🙂