Alocasia Light Requirements: An Expert Guide

Alocasias are spectacular foliage plants with a stunning tropical allure. Their huge leaves and unusual shape make these plants ideal showpieces that can add an elegant and exotic note to your home or office. Placing these large plants in the background will also help bring out the plants with smaller or more delicate leaves, creating a jungle-like harmony.

But what is the best light for Alocasia? And where should Alocasia be placed indoors? Learn all you need to know about the Alocasia light requirements in our guide.

About Alocasia Plants

Alocasia plants, also known as Elephant Ear plants, have large, arrow-shaped, thick leaves that range in color from velvety green to black, or silvery or speckled. Alocasias are easy to care for and suitable even for novice gardeners. These gorgeous tropical plants are native to the subtropical areas of Asia and Australia. Thriving in high humidity and warm temperatures, Alocasias are best suited to USDA hardiness zones 10-12. Like other Aroids, Alocasia plants contain oxalate crystals in their leaves and stems, which make them toxic to pets if ingested. Perhaps because of its leaves shaped like shields, Alocasia traditionally symbolizes protection and strength.

These spectacular plants range from the relatively compact, dramatic Alocasia Polly to the exotic Alocasia Regal Shield with leaves sometimes reaching an impressive 5 ft. across.

Fabulous and stylish, Alocasias are majestic plants with an elegant jungle vibe. 

So, do Alocasia plants need a lot of sunlight?

How Much Light Do Alocasia Plants Need?

Alocasia plants require several hours of indirect sunlight daily. Appropriate light levels are vital for Alocasia, since it may become leggy or struggle to produce new leaves in insufficient light or get sunburned in full sun. Seasonal changes also affect Alocasias light needs. Although these beauties go semi-dormant indoors in winter, when the days are shorter, they still require sufficient sunlight to stay strong and healthy. In the summer, gentle, dappled light is essential to prevent browning and scorched leaves under the harsh rays. 

So, does Alocasia need sunlight to thrive, and how much does it need? Learn what kind of light is best for Elephant Ears (specifically for Alocasia plants) and how to keep these gorgeous plants lush and vibrant.

How Many Hours of Sunlight Does Alocasia Need?

Alocasia grows best with at least 6-8 hours of bright, indirect light per day. This helps the plant develop strong leaves and maintain its vibrant color and variegation (for variegated varieties).

Finding the right light intensity for your plant is not as difficult as it sounds. Watch out for any Alocasia sun or shade issues and move your plant to a different spot if necessary.

Does Alocasia Like Full Sun?

Can Alocasia take full sun? While some Alocasia varieties can tolerate a few hours of direct sunlight daily, many don’t tolerate intense midday sunlight. Alocasia loves sunlight, but it has to be filtered. Harsh midday or afternoon sun can damage this plant’s gorgeous foliage, especially during the summer. In winter, you may need to move your Alocasia to a sunnier spot to ensure it gets enough light.

How to Tell If Alocasia Is Getting Too Much Light? 

Can Alocasia get too much sun? Unfortunately, yes. Alocasias react to stressful environments, such as overexposure to strong light, sudden temperature fluctuations, or incorrect watering. Hence, watching for the signs of stress can tell you if the plant is getting too much or too little light. Here are the signs of sunlight overexposure to look out for:

• Bleached and colorless foliage
• Yellowing or drooping leaves
• Crisp edges 
• Dry, brown spots
• Leaves curling inwards 

Alocasia Too Much Light: Solutions 

If your Alocasia is getting excessive direct sunlight, consider moving it to an east-facing window, where it will receive gentle morning light instead. You can also hang a sheer curtain to shield your plant from too much sunlight, or move it slightly away from the window. Provide the right humidity levels by placing your Alocasia on a pebble tray, grouping it with other plants, or using a humidifier.

Can Alocasia Grow in Low Light?

Do Alocasia plants do well in low light? Not particularly. Alocasias may experience difficulty producing new foliage in low-light conditions. It may grow leggy and lose its variegation. During the summer, Alocasias may tolerate lower light levels, especially if placed outdoors, as long as the temperatures are warm and it receives plenty of humidity.

How to Tell If Alocasia Needs More Light

Alocasia thrives in bright, filtered sunlight, and not receiving sufficient light may cause stress and stunted growth. These signs will help you determine that your Alocasia Elephant Ear plant isn’t getting enough light:

• Small leaves and stunted growth
• Yellowing of older leaves or leaf drop
• Weak or stretched stems
• Wilting leaves
• Slow and/or no new growth

Alocasia Low Light Issues: How Do I Fix My Alocasia Plant?

If you’ve noticed that your Alocasia plant needs more sunlight, consider moving it to a brighter lit space. You can move it to a south-facing window in winter if the light issue is seasonal. Another way to fix low-light symptoms in winter is to use supplementary grow lights. Rotate your Alocasia plant to ensure that it gets sufficient light and grows evenly.

Alocasia Light Requirements: FAQs

Q: Can Alocasia grow in full shade?

A: An Alocasia prefers partial shade outdoors but will not thrive in full shade. Indoors, this plant requires bright or medium indirect light. Use artificial grow lights if you want to keep your Alocasia in low-light conditions.

Q: Where is the best place to put Alocasia?

A: An east-facing window is ideal for your Alocasia; it will receive bright morning sun, while avoiding direct midday sunlight. Another great option is to place it several feet away from a west-facing window, so it can benefit from the bright light without being burned.

Q: Do Alocasias like bright light?

A: Yes, Alocasias love bright light, but it has to be indirect or filtered through a sheer curtain. Too much direct sunlight can scorch its leaves.

Q: Can Alocasia grow without sunlight?

A: While Alocasia can survive low light, it won’t grow in complete lack of sunlight. In insufficient light, especially if paired with cool temperatures, Alocasia can go dormant, shedding its leaves.  The alternative is to use artificial lighting, such as specialized grow lights for plants.

Q: What grow light is best for Alocasia?

A: Alocasias will benefit most from full-spectrum LED lights that mimic natural sunlight and yield the full range of light wavelengths, from blue to red.

Q: How many hours of grow light for Alocasia?

A: Alocasias need a minimum of 6-8 hours of bright light daily. In gloomy weather or low-light conditions, your Alocasia will benefit from artificial grow lights switched on for about 8-10 hours daily. This will help complement the natural Alocasia sun requirements, especially if placed in darker corners or dimly lit spaces.

Conclusion

Alocasias are amazing indoor plants for places with bright, filtered light. Now that you understand how to tell if your Alocasia is happy, you can grow this magnificent statement plant indoors and enjoy its irresistible tropical vibes. 

Combine your Alocasia plants with flowering varieties, such as the delicate Peace Lily, or picturesque ferns, like the quirky Staghorn Fern, for a vibrant effect and more spatial depth. Consider using plants that share the Alocasia plant's light requirements to ensure that all houseplants in your indoor jungle are happy with their location.