"Elephant Ear" Alocasia Regal Shield

Indoors: Bright, indirect light Outdoors: Morning part shade (4-6 hours)

Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy). Let it dry between waterings on the top 1-2 inches of the soil.

Keep high humidity around this plant at an average of 65-80%. Add a gravel tray, or use a humidifier or group with other plants. Don't spritz as it can cause foliar disease.

The Elephant Ear 'Regal Shields' grows in its original environment at warm temperatures. Keep this plant away from any cold drafts or heating and air vents.

Take inside where temperatures fall below 59°F.

Add a balanced liquid fertilizer at a quarter strength when watering indoors during the growing season between spring and summer. Give it a rest during the winter months.

When the plant is root-bound and ready to repot (early spring before growth starts), obtain a 2" bigger container in diameter and slightly deeper than the existing planter. (A bigger pot will eventually cause overwatering and a slower time for the soil to dry out.)

Trim off any dead, damaged, or diseased leaves or stems.

Carefully lift the vines and prop on top of the container to protect the hanging branches. Another set of hands may be advantageous for this process.

Use an indoor container mix that is well-draining mixed with one-third peat moss and one-third perlite. Add soil to the bottom to elevate the root ball.

After watering an hour before repotting, lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Inspect the root ball.

Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim off with sterile pruners. If the plant is rootbound, cut through the roots to alleviate continued encircling.

Ensure the plant is sitting about 1" below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Do not cover the current level of soil on the plant but add soil up to this level.

Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. Add more soil after watering if the soil settles around the edges.

To clean the leaves, put in a sink, and use filtered water in a watering container to shower over the leaves to knock the dust off. After cleaning the leaves, remove any dead leaves or debris on the surface of the soil. At this time, keep a lookout for pests and treat or remove them. Refreshen soil mixture if needed.

Prune away dead, damaged, or diseased leaves down to the stem base with sterile pruners. Maintain the long vines as a full and bushy vine by trimming every few months or leave them to grow longer. As they thin out on the stem, trim back. Use the cuttings to propagate more plants!

Take stem cuttings from the parent plant. Cut with sterile scissors below the leaf node with at least two joints. Dip in rooting hormone and place it in moist soilless potting soil. Cover with a clear plastic bag to retain moisture and humidity while it roots. Keep the cutting in warm, medium to bright indirect light. After three weeks, check the rooting of the baby cutting by pulling gently on the leaf. If it's snug, then roots are forming. Keep it covered until new growth appears. Remove the clear bag at this point and keep moist and humidity levels high while it matures.

Alternatively, place root cuttings in a container with water and maintain indoor temperatures at 65° to 72° F. Change the water weekly as the roots form to eliminate bacteria from forming. The cuttings will root within a four to eight week time period. Once there is a significant root mass of 3-4 inches, transplant into a container mix in a 4-6" pot.