Is My Alocasia Dead Or Dormant? [Condition Explained]

Are you anxious about your Alocasia plant showing abnormal signs? If yes, ensure your plant is dying or only resting in dormancy.

What Does A Dormant Alocasia Look Like?

When an Alocasia plant undergoes dormant, it shows some special symptoms that help you to differentiate between a dead and dormant Alocasia plant.

Some of these signs are listed below.

• Yellowing and dropping of leaves: One of the common symptoms that a plant shows in dormancy is yellowing and dropping of leaves. Furthermore, the plant naturally sheds its older leaves, and the formation of new leaves takes place.
• Reduction in growth: You can see a subsequent reduction in the growth of plants when they undergo dormancy. Similarly, when leaves begin to fall, the plant starts looking smaller.
• Decrease in leaf size: The leaves that emerge during dormancy are comparatively smaller in size than the leaves that emerge during the growing seasons.
• Curling of leaves: Due to the reason for reduced transpiration, the leaves of Alocasia begin to curl during dormancy.
• Resting corm: The corms of a dormant Alocasia appear smaller and looser than normal. So, you can inspect the corms during the winter season to ensure the plant’s dormancy.
• Watering needs: The dormant Alocasia demands less water than normal. So, if you see the soil around your Alocasia plant is constantly moist, realize the plant has undergone dormancy.

How Do I Know If My Alocasia Is Dying Or Dead?

It is really difficult to distinguish between a dead and dormant Alocasia plant, as they both exhibit similar signs.

Here are some signs that you can expect from a dead Alocasia plant.

• Mushy corms: You can see the corms of Alocasia being mushy when they are dying or after they are dead. 
• Complete end of growth: There are no signs of emergence of new shoots or leaves. Similarly, your plant stops showing signs of growth after it is dead.
• Lack of vigor: A lack of a plant’s integrity could be a symptom of a dead plant. Furthermore, the plant’s stem becomes floppy and weak after its death.

Monitor your Alocasia plants minutely to ensure their death. Sometimes, they could be alive and can be prevented from death.

How To Take Care Of Alocasia In Winter?

Alocasia is a tropical plant that needs special care during the winter as it undergoes dormancy.

Here are some tips to care for Alocasia in winter.

• Sunlight and Temperature: Furnish your Alocasia plant with bright, indirect sunlight for 6-8 hours daily. Maintain 56-80ºF temperature, bring plants indoors at night, and withdraw them from cold draft and window. 
• Watering and Humidity: Provide your Alocasia plant with 1 inch of water weekly. Furthermore, a humidity of 60-80% is appropriate for Alocasia.
• Soil and Fertilization: Alocasias thrive well in well-draining and slightly acidic soil. Additionally, provide them with balanced fertilizers twice a month during the growing season.
• Prune plants: As Alocasia also takes care of wilted or diseased leaves, so prune them off to save nutrition and energy.