Purple Alocasia Plant Care

Purple Alocasia (Alocasia atropurpurea) belongs to the Araceae family within the Alocasia genus. Purple Alocasia is native to northern Luzon in the Philippines.

Purple Alocasia displays a large, upright foliage growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Purple Alocasia produces rarely flowers indoors, inconspicuous blooms.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Purple Alocasia every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Purple Alocasia thrives in bright indirect to filtered light. Avoid placing Purple Alocasia in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Alocasia atropurpurea tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Purple Alocasia prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, rich organic mix with perlite and peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Purple Alocasia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Purple Alocasia every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect to filtered light and well-draining, rich organic mix with perlite and peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Purple Alocasia is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Purple Alocasia can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 5 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Purple Alocasia while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Purple Alocasia is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Purple Alocasia can be propagated through division, rhizome cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alocasia odora plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Purple Alocasia is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Purple Alocasia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Purple Alocasia is native to northern Luzon in the Philippines. In cooler regions, grow Purple Alocasia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.