Stingray Plant Care

Stingray plants are unique plants with patterned stems and big leaves that can attract attention from across the room. 

Alocasia plants are native to the Southeast Asian tropical rainforests and are grown as house plants, even though they are hard to find in some areas. 

Alocasia Stingray Care Tips

Alocasia Stringra enjoys warm and humid environments and bright indirect light. The Alocasia plant needs consistent water and moisture to thrive. However, excess water will ruin it. 

It is completely normal for Alocasia Stringra to become dormant and lose its leaves in the fall and winter seasons, so don’t worry; your plant is still alive. As long as you continue to take care of it, your plant will become alive in the spring as the temperature becomes warmer.  

Light 

This plant thrives in bright but indirect light. Too much light is not good for the plant as it can cause its leaves to burn. However, short periods of bright light during the early morning or evening sunlight are okay. Even though Alocasia Stingray’s light requirements may be confusing, it is vital to provide it with the correct light source to ensure it thrives. 

You can also use a window film or sheer curtain to ensure that it does not receive direct sunlight.  

Soil 

Alocasia Stringra prefers its soil moist but cannot grow in soggy soil. Moreover, it grows best in well-draining soil. 

You can grow this plant in potting soil that removes excess water and retains moisture. The correct soil mixture can be made at home using potting soil, coco peat, and perlite. This will produce fertile soil that is rich yet well-draining. 

Moreover, make sure to check the soil’s pH levels. The Alocasia Stingray grows well in slightly acidic soil. 

Your plant will grow beautiful foliage if you keep the soil evenly moist and damp. 

Water 

Alocasia Stingray does not like being dry for too long. Hence, it is important to water these plants regularly. However, ensure that the pot you use has sufficient drainage holes and that the soil is not soaking. 

Check the top of the soil before you water the plant- only water it if it is dry. This tropical plant requires coarse potting sand and a container with enough drainage holes.  

Humidity and Temperature 

Alocasia Stingray is common in South East Asia, so they prefer slightly higher humidity levels.

Usually, household temperatures are okay for the plant, but if your house is particularly cold, you can increase humidity by using a humidifier. A humidifier ensures that the Alocasia Stingray leaves do not develop dry spots. 

As long as you keep the temperature in your house above 15 degrees Celsius, your tropical plant should be happy. 

Fertilizer

Alocasia Stingrays need loads of organic fertilizer to thrive. For best growth, we recommend fertilizing it twice a month during the spring and summer months.

A balanced, liquid fertilizer particularly made for houseplants is your best bet.

Do not fertilize the plant in the fall and winter months, as during this time, Alocasia Stringras go through a dormancy period and stop growing.

Propagation

There are two ways to propagate Alocasia Stingrays; by growing their corms or division. Alocasia plants grow corms around their roots. If left untouched, they grow into new plants in the same plant’s pot, which can later be divided. You can also take the corms out of the plant’s soil and grow them in another pot.

Even though it is not easy to propagate an Alocasia Stingray, it is a rewarding process that can boost growth in the long run.

Here is how to propagate your plant by division:

• Take the plant out of the pot and loosen the soil that you need to separate. Be very gentle during this entire process.
• Break a few roots, separate the corms and offshoots from the mother plant, and keep them safely aside.
• Take small pots for every offshoot and fill them with the correct soil mixture. Pat down the soil around the corms and roots.
• Water the new pots and put them in areas that receive morning sunlight. These new plants should not receive direct sunlight; their leaves can get burnt. Hence, aim for indirect light.
• Ensure to keep the soil evenly moist.

You can also propagate this plant by growing the corms. Here’s how:

• Take the plant out of its pot and put it down on its side so that it is easier to dig around in the soil.
• Use your fingers to feel the Alocasia Stingray’s roots for corms. These will feel round and small and will be light green or brown in color. You might find them attached to the root system or grown separately. In case the corms are attached, you can break them off gently from the roots.
• After removing the corms from the soil, peel the brown husk to explore the corm inside.
• Take a container and add fresh water to it. Put the corms inside this container. The corms do not need to be fully submerged but aim to cover 2/3 of them with water.
• Use plastic wrap to cover the container’s top so that you can increase the humidity inside the container.
• Follow the Alocasia Stingray light requirements by placing the plant in bright indirect light. Change the water every few days, and you will find the plant thriving within a few weeks.
• Ensure that the roots are 2 to 3 inches long before moving the plant into the soil. Use a small pot with some well-draining soil and water the pots well.
• Put the pot away from direct sunlight. To increase light-capturing efficiency, place the pot near a window and cover the window with some shade.

How to Pot and Repot Alocasia Stingray

If your plant is root bound, don’t get too worked up; this means that they will not need to be repotted too often. Based on the plant’s growth, you can check to see if the roots are poking out of the drainage holes and then replant your Alocasia Stingray into a bigger pot.

However, you must wait till spring or summer when replanting your plant. During this time, the plant is growing, so a change of location will not shock it.

Moreover, the bigger pot should be at least two to four inches larger than the previous pot. Planting it in a pot that is too big may lead to overwatering due to the excess soil, eventually killing the plant.

Common Alocasia Stingray Conditions

Like any other house plant, Alocasia Stingray plants are also prone to diseases and pests. Your plant might experience brown patches, plant debris, leaf spot disease, or root rot.

Here are some common plant problems and what you can do to ensure that your plant remains healthy:

Yellow Leaves

If you find that your Alocasia Stingray leaves have become yellow, it is a sign that your plant is being under or over-watered. If it is overwatered, it is probably because you need to add a drainage hole in the pot to ensure sufficient drainage.

If the plant is being underwater, you need to check to see if the soil dries out between your watering schedule. These plants thrive in moist soil and will die if they remain in dry soil for too long.

Brown Leaves

Possible brown patches on your plant could be because of a lack of humidity and moisture.

Place your plant on an east-facing window close to a humidifier for the best results.

Dropping Leaves

Even though there can be many reasons for dying leaves, it is usually because you need to improve light-capturing efficiency. When Alocasia Stingrays receive low light or not enough humidity consistently, the leaves start to die.

Hence, try placing your plant in a shady location that receives indirect sun. Moreover, use a humidifier to boost humidity levels in the room.

Pests

A major part of Alocasia Stingray care is keeping pests away from the plant. Even though the plant is not prone to pests, we recommend being careful.

Mealybugs and spider mites are the most common pests that find their way onto the plant. It is best to check your plant often, especially on both sides of the leaf, as pests can disguise themselves extremely well.

Spider mites cannot be seen by the naked eye and are always looking for chlorophyll. Mealybugs are white pests that can be seen if you keep a close eye on your plant.

Getting rid of pests from a mother plant is a challenge. However, here are some things you can do:

• Isolate your plant from other plants so that pests do not spread.
• Use dish soap or soapy water to rinse the plant leaves from both sides. Dilute neem oil and rub the surface of the leaves with it. Clean the entire plant with fresh water, and then use a clean cloth to wipe off any residue.
• After a couple of minutes, mist the Alocasia Stingray to increase humidity. Spider mites thrive in dry conditions, so the best way to get rid of them is to increase humidity levels.
• Remember to follow these instructions and clean the plant’s leaves from both sides, including the stem. The pests love hiding and are easy to miss if you are not careful.

Leaf Spot Disease

Alocasia Stingray is vulnerable to botrytis, rhizome rot, and leaf spot disease. They damage the plants, so it is important to treat leaf spot disease as soon as possible.

This disease shows up when there is poor air circulation around the house or if the plant is being overwatered.

The best way to treat this disease is by locating the infected leaves and cutting them off. Make sure to look at the soil and check for any debris that you need to remove.

Then, wash your plant using a hose and apply some fungicide to it. We recommend using a fungicide that is made with chlorothalonil, as this helps treat the plant while ensuring that it does not happen again.

Lastly, eliminate dust particles and wash the plant with fresh water every day while placing it in an open area.

Is the Alocasia Stingray Toxic to Dogs?

Even though Alocasia Stingray plants are beautiful, they contain loads of toxins that are fatal to dogs, especially if not taken to the vet immediately.

If a dog consumes the plant, the dog’s airway will swell and it will affect the dog’s ability to breathe properly.

If this happens, the first thing you need to do is wash the dog’s mouth with some extra cold water. Wash the dog’s eyes and face to get rid of any plant residue. After that, take the dog to a vet as soon as possible.

Final Thoughts

Alocasia Stingray is a rare plant derived from Elephant Ear plants. Also commonly known as Elephant Ear Stingray, this plant boosts the appeal of any room it is added to.

The plant’s stem has a similar pattern to the Alocasia Zebrina, making it eye-catching with exceptional features.

As long as you care for this plant properly, it will thrive. Do not overwater your plant, and make sure that the pot you plant it in has enough drainage holes so that water can leak through to ensure that the soil does not get too moist and develop root rot.

Moreover, make sure that you keep your Alocasia Stingray plants in an area that receives indirect sunlight so that the plant’s leaves do not burn. Moreover, place the plant in a high-humidity area so that it can thrive. To increase humidity levels inside the house, you can mist the plant or use a humidifier.

Keep your beautiful Alocasia Stingray plants away from dogs, cats, and any pets that you might have, as these plants are toxic. In case of any mishap, make sure to take your pets to the vet as soon as possible.