Allouia Plant Care
Calathea allouia (Aubl.) Lindl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Goeppertia allouia, known as lerén or lairén in Spanish, and also known in English as Guinea arrowroot, and sweet corn root, is a plant in the arrowroot family, native to northern South America and the Caribbean. The name "allouia" is derived from the Carib name for the plant.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Allouia?
Water Allouia every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Allouia Native To?
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- French Guiana
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Virgin Islands, British
- Virgin Islands, U.S.
What Is the Allouia?
Allouia (Calathea allouia) belongs to the Marantaceae family within the Calathea genus. Allouia is native to northern South America and the Caribbean. Allouia is also known as Guinea Arrowroot, Calalloo.
Allouia displays a climbing, vining growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2.5 ft.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Allouia?
Calathea allouia requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Allouia Need?
Allouia thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Allouia in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Allouia Prefer?
Calathea allouia grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Allouia prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Allouia?
Well-draining mix with perlite and peat. Good drainage is essential for Allouia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Allouia?
Feed Allouia every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Propagate a Allouia?
Allouia can be propagated through stem cuttings or division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to peacock plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Allouia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Allouia, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Allouia?
Allouia is susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Allouia Need?
Allouia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Allouia is native to northern South America and the Caribbean. In cooler regions, grow Allouia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Allouia is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Calathea genus — compare its care with other Calathea species on PlantoScan.
Calathea is part of the Marantaceae plant family — browse all Marantaceae genera and species.
Allouia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Calathea Species
Other Calathea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Calathea allouia (Aubl.) Lindl., family Marantaceae (first published in Bot. Reg. 14: t. 1210 (1829)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Allouia, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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