The Alocasia Infernalis has become a standout in the Alocasia genus. Its smooth, glossy leaves are a mysterious black-purple color. They have increased its popularity.
Join us at Xu Farm to learn more about this species. Consider adding it to your tropical plant collection!
What is Alocasia Infernalis?
Origin
Infernalis belongs to the Alocasia genus. It is a flowering plant in the Araceae family, which is in the order Alismatales.
In the late 20th century, Peter Charles Boyce documented this species. It is also known as “Black Magic.” The Latin term “Infernalis” means “hellish.” This describes the plant’s dark leaves.
This species is from Borneo. This can be found in the valleys of flooded rainforests. Today, it is also cultivated through tissue culture in Florida.
Alocasia Infernalis Black Magic
Characteristics
Alocasia Infernalis looks like Alocasia Cuprea. The key difference is the non-alternating leaf growth in Infernalis.
The plant can reach up to 55cm in height, with leaves spreading around 15cm wide.
Its leaves are arrow-shaped, featuring prominent veins spread across the surface.
The leaves are a deep black-purple-red color under good light. The color becomes stronger as the plant grows.
Alocasia Infernalis flowers in late spring or early summer, producing modest blooms. The flowers, either white or green, last about three days before wilting.
When grown indoors, this species rarely flowers compared to its natural outdoor habitat.
Alocasia Infernalis Red
Caring for Alocasia Infernalis Plants
Soil
Infernalis plants thrive in porous soil with excellent drainage capabilities. The use of quick-drying soil is crucial to prevent both over and under-watering. Certain soil components absorb the right amount of water. This ensures your plant gets optimal hydration. Meanwhile, other elements ease excess water drainage to the bottom. Always opt for a plant pot with drainage holes to avert waterlogging at the roots.
For optimal growth, Alocasia varieties fare well in sphagnum moss peat and perlite. Perlite helps keep plants hydrated. It maintains moisture levels. It also lets in air to stop water buildup. Sphagnum peat moss ensures efficient disposal of excess water. An alternative option is a blend of burnt rice husks and cocopeat.
Lighting
Infernalis plants prefer bright but indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, which is undesirable. Insufficient light causes loss of chlorophyll, leading to dry or wilted leaves.
These plants live in their natural habitat. They get bright light, but it’s shielded by trees and other plants. To replicate this indirect bright light, put your plant near windows that face north or east. If using artificial lights, place the plant away from the direct light.
Watering
Watering Infernalis is like other Alocasia plants. Avoid both dry soil and saturated soil. Overwatering is a common mistake that can lead to root rot. When the soil is too wet, oxygen can’t reach the roots, causing them to decay. To prevent this, ensure the soil is dry before watering again. If you are unsure, feel the soil to see if it needs more water.
Temperature
The best daytime temperature for Alocasia Infernalis is 22 to 29 degrees Celsius. This is the same as 71.6 to 84.2 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, temperatures should be between 13 to 18 degrees Celsius (55.4 to 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit).
Humidity
Infernalis plants thrive in high humidity, between 80% and 100%. In dry home environments, creating humidity is often necessary. While humidifiers are an easy solution, they can be expensive. An alternative is the gravel tray method. Fill a tray with gravel and water, ensuring the water doesn’t overflow the gravel. Place your plant pot on the gravel. Evaporating water increases humidity, benefiting the plant.
Fertilization
Fertilizing Alocasia Infernalis is crucial to prevent leaf drop. A diluted, all-purpose fertilizer is ideal. Fertilize at least once every two weeks. But, skip during colder weather to avoid salt buildup. Salt can harm the roots.
Propagation
You can propagate AlocasiaInfernalis through root division or water propagation. Continue reading for step-by-step guidance.
Growth
Infernalis can grow between 30 to 60 cm in height. The leaves usually reach 12 to 20 cm in length.
Repotting
Repot Infernalis every two years. It’s time to repot when you see roots emerging from the drainage holes. Alocasia roots tend to spread out, but too much extra space can stress the plant. Choose a pot only a few centimeters larger than the original.
Propagating Alocasia Infernalis
Root Division Propagation
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Carefully remove your Infernalis from its pot. Be gentle to avoid damaging the fragile roots.
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Once you expose the roots, clean off the dirt. This makes it easier to see the root clusters and any offsets. If shaking off the dirt isn’t enough, rinse the roots with water. But, avoid using full-force water.
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After cleaning, you’ll notice separate root clusters, usually with offshoots or baby shoots.
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Don’t hesitate to cut the roots you need for propagation. Use sterilized garden scissors and sanitize them with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Cut only the necessary root clusters to start a new Infernalis plant.
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Prepare your new pot, ensuring it has fast-draining or well-draining soil.
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Plant the cut roots into the new pot, ensuring they are well placed in the soil.
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Care for the planted roots as you would the original plant. Ensure it receives indirect sunlight and allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Water Propagation
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Get a baby Alocasia Infernalis offset or a root cluster by gently removing the plant from its pot. Be sure not to harm the roots.
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Shake off some dirt from the plant. If a baby shoot or root cluster detaches, handle it gently.
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Rinse the roots with water to clean them. Avoid high-pressure water. It can damage the roots.
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Cut a portion of the root from the plant using sterilized garden scissors.
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Use a clear glass container for this propagation method. Fill it with soft tap water. Use water left to sit overnight to let chlorine and other chemicals to go away.
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Place the root cutting in the glass, making sure the roots are under water.
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Put the glass in a spot with indirect sunlight, like an east or north-facing window. This will encourage root growth.
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Change the water once or twice a week to prevent bacterial growth. Best practice is to gently pour water into the glass to aerate it, supplying oxygen to the roots.
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Prepare a new pot with loose, well-draining soil and drainage holes at the bottom.
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Once the roots reach 7-10 cm in length, they are ready for planting. Ensure the soil is tightly packed around the planted roots.
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Care for your new Alocasia plant as you did with the original. Place it near an east or north-facing window for indirect sunlight. Allow the soil to dry before watering again.
Propagating Alocasia Infernalis through root division or water propagation is a rewarding process. Both methods must patience and careful handling of the delicate roots. With care, your new Alocasia plants will thrive. They will add beauty to your indoor garden.
Common Issues with Alocasia Infernalis and Solutions
Pest Problems
Infernalis plants, like all Alocasia species, are prone to pest infestations. But, don’t worry. We’ll share effective ways to cut these nuisances.
Spider Mites: One of the most common pests is the spider mite. Most plant-attacking insects are insects. But, spider mites are arachnids. This means they have eight legs like spiders. These creatures are tiny and hard to see.
To check for spider mites, place a white sheet of paper at the base of your plant and gently shake it. Small black mites will fall onto the paper. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice their eight legs.
Spider mites steal nutrients from your plants. They do this by sucking their sap. It has the nutrients and water for photosynthesis.
Thrips: Thrips are another pest that targets Alocasia Infernalis. They are tiny and resemble small thread-like pieces. Thrips feed on your plant’s sap. They use sharp mouths to penetrate plant tissues and siphon nutrients.
Mealybugs: You might also encounter mealybugs, identifiable by their cotton-like coverings. These pests like to hide under leaves. They feed on the sap from the underside, robbing the plant of needed nutrients and hydration.
Natural Solutions
A natural solution to these pests is neem oil. It’s rare to hear of plants reacting badly to this oil. However, it’s advisable to test it on a small area of your plant first to ensure safety. Dilute neem oil with water and mix in a spray bottle. Apply the solution to your plant. Pay special attention to the undersides of the leaves.
Neem oil is effective due to its heaviness, which can suffocate plant pests. You may observe the pests dying within minutes. Repeat this process a few days later to ensure you eradicate all pests and their eggs.
Preventive Measures
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Regularly inspect your Infernalis for early signs of pests.
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Maintain proper watering and humidity levels to strengthen the plant’s natural defenses.
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Keep your plant clean. Do this by gently wiping the leaves with a damp cloth. This will remove dust and spots where pests could hide.
Dealing with pests is a common challenge for Alocasia Infernalis owners. Recognize the signs of infestation. Use natural remedies like neem oil. They can protect your plant. Regular maintenance and prevention are key. They keep your Infernalis healthy and thriving.
Tips for Caring for Unhealthy Alocasia Infernalis
Sometimes, you might find that your Infernalis isn’t thriving as it should. Don’t stress – even with the best care, issues can arise. Let’s explore why your Alocasia is sick. We’ll also see how to fix these issues.
Drooping Leaves
Wilting leaves in Alocasia Infernalis say either under-watering or over-watering. To diagnose, feel the soil. If it’s very dry, the plant needs more water. Consider setting a watering schedule. But, always check the soil’s moisture before watering.
If the soil feels saturated, you might be over-watering. In this case, replace the soggy soil. Use fresh, well-draining soil. This will prevent Alocasia root rot and more damage.
Leaf Spots
Two main issues can cause spots on the leaves.
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Chlorine Sensitivity: This plant is sensitive to chlorine in water. To solve this, switch to distilled water or let tap water sit for 24 hours before using it. This process allows chlorine to evaporate.
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Salt buildup comes from fertilizers. Over-fertilizing or fertilizing dry soil can cause it. To resolve this, flush the soil with water to leach out excess salts and minerals. Use a hose or faucet, but avoid full pressure. Or, repotting with fresh soil can also help.
Rusty Leaves
Like other Alocasia plants, Infernalis is susceptible to fungal diseases, particularly if over-watered. Rust disease starts with orange spots on the leaves. The spots spread and become rust-like lesions. These lesions can kill the leaves.
Remove infected leaves immediately to prevent the spread of the disease. Use a fungicide to treat the plant, but first, test a small area to ensure no adverse reaction.
FAQs
Is Alocasia toxic to cats and humans?
Yes, Alocasia is toxic. The University of North Carolina says its leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals. These can cause breathing difficulties and skin irritation. It is toxic to both humans and animals.
Where is Alocasia Infernalis native?
Infernalis originates from Sarawak, located in Malaysia, a region known for its rainforests.
Conclusion
Caring for Alocasia Infernalis requires specific attention to its unique needs. By creating the right setting and watching for issues, you can enjoy this plant’s beauty. It has a unique presence in your indoor garden.
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