AT A GLANCE
Why is my Alocasia dripping and what can I do about it?
The Alocasia drips due to guttation, a natural process by which the plant sheds excess moisture through the leaves. In order to reduce guttation, you should adjust the amount of water and watering frequency, avoid waterlogging and ensure an adequate supply of nutrients.
Why is the Alocasia dripping?
Many a proud owner of an Alocasia initially suspects a pest or an injury at the first drop of their plant. Don't worry! The scientifically called guttation phenomenon is particularly common in tropical houseplants (i.e. H. also at monstera or Dieffenbachia) perfectly normal and occurs when you do it with the Pour have exaggerated a bit. Put simply, the plant releases excess moisture through the leaves. Normally it would evaporate these, but this is not possible in high humidity and water droplets form instead of beading off the tip of the leaf.
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Does the drip damage the plant?
But on the contrary! In fact, guttation is a very healthy behavior of the plant, as it gets rid of excess water and can continue to provide itself with sufficient nutrients. A balanced one
water balance is immensely important for the optimal supply of nutrients, similar to the blood circulation in our body.However, after drying, the water droplets can leave unsightly stains on the leaves. These consist mainly of lime, but can be easily wiped off. Unfortunately, room walls or the floor can also be affected by dripping water, which is why you don't necessarily place Alocasia on a wooden floor or directly against a wall should.
Are the drops poisonous?
Basically it is too elephant ear actually called alocasia poisonous, although the milky juice in particular contains relevant toxins. Milky juice only occurs with injuries such as those caused by a pruning, which is why gloves should be worn when cutting. The dripping water resulting from the guttation, on the other hand, does not contain any toxins.
How to prevent the Alocasia from dripping?
Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent the Alocasia from dripping. After all, this is perfectly normal behavior. However, you can reduce the liquid output by adjusting the amount of water and frequency of watering. So make sure that the substrate is not permanently damp and let it dry out a bit before the next watering. Instead, ensure a high level of humidity by spraying the plant, as well as a needs-based Fertilize for a balanced supply of nutrients.
Tip
Avoid waterlogging
In general, you should absolutely avoid waterlogging! If the soil in the pot is permanently wet, this not only affects root growth. The roots can rot and, paradoxically, the plant dries up. Drying out happens because the roots cannot transfer water or nutrients to the leaves. So ensure good drainage in the pot and don't water too much!
