How to Grow and Care for Spikasaurus

The Alocasia ‘Spikasaurus’ is a hybrid plant known for its distinct foliage. Its large, arrowhead-shaped leaves are notable, but the primary feature is its petioles, or leaf stalks. These stalks are covered in soft, fleshy spikes, giving the plant a prehistoric appearance. Native to tropical regions of Asia and Australia, this plant grows from a rhizome and is grown for its foliage rather than its flowers.

Spikasaurus Care Guide

This Alocasia thrives in bright, indirect light. An east-facing window that provides gentle morning sun is ideal. Direct sunlight will scorch the leaves, causing brown patches, while insufficient light can lead to leggy growth and a sparse appearance.

A well-draining, chunky potting mix is necessary to prevent root rot by providing a balance of moisture retention and aeration. A suitable blend can be made from all-purpose potting soil amended with orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir. This mixture ensures that water does not bog down the root system.

Use the “soak and dry” method by watering the plant thoroughly until water escapes the drainage holes. Allow the top two to three inches of soil to dry out before the next watering. This plant is susceptible to root rot if the soil remains soggy, so it is better to underwater slightly than to overwater.

These tropical plants appreciate warm and humid conditions, with an ideal temperature range between 60 to 85°F (15 to 29°C). Protect the plant from cold drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations. To increase humidity, you can place the plant on a pebble tray with water, group it with other plants, or use a room humidifier.

During the spring and summer growing season, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength once or twice a month. Do not fertilize during the fall and winter, as the plant’s growth slows.

Propagating Spikasaurus

One method for propagating is through division, best performed during repotting in the spring. Carefully remove the plant from its pot and loosen the soil to expose the rhizome. Using a clean, sharp knife, cut the rhizome into sections, making sure each piece has at least one growth point and a healthy set of roots. These new divisions can then be potted individually into a fresh soil mix.

A more common way to propagate this Alocasia is by harvesting its corms. Corms are small, bulb-like structures that develop in the soil around the base of the mother plant. During repotting, you can gently search through the soil and roots to find these corms, which can then be detached. Healthy corms should feel firm and can be cleaned of any remaining soil.

Once harvested, the corms need a humid environment to sprout. Placing them in a propagation box with a moist medium like sphagnum moss or perlite is an effective technique. Ensure the moss is damp but not waterlogged to prevent rot. Keep the container in a warm, bright spot with indirect light, and with patience, you will see new roots and eventually leaves begin to form.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with attentive care, you might encounter some common problems. Alocasias are particularly susceptible to spider mites, which thrive in dry conditions. You can identify these pests by looking for fine webbing on the undersides of leaves and a stippled or speckled pattern on the leaf surface. Regularly wiping the leaves with a damp cloth can help prevent them, and an infestation can be treated with horticultural soap or neem oil.

Yellowing or drooping leaves can signal an issue with your watering routine. While the occasional yellowing of a lower, older leaf is natural, multiple yellow leaves may indicate overwatering. Check the soil; if it is soggy, allow it to dry out more between waterings. Conversely, drooping leaves combined with very dry, pulling-away-from-the-pot soil often means the plant is underwatered.

It is also natural for an Alocasia to enter a period of dormancy during the cooler, darker months of fall and winter. This is a resting period, not a sign of the plant’s demise. During dormancy, the plant may stop growing and even drop all of its leaves. When this happens, significantly reduce watering, just enough to keep the rhizome from drying out completely, and move the plant to a spot with lower light until new growth appears in the spring.

Spikasaurus Toxicity

It is important to be aware that all parts of the Alocasia ‘Spikasaurus’ are toxic to both humans and pets, including cats and dogs. The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which are needle-like structures that can cause irritation upon contact or ingestion. If any part of the plant is chewed or swallowed, symptoms can include immediate oral pain, swelling of the lips and tongue, drooling, and vomiting. To ensure safety, always place this plant in a location that is out of reach of children and pets.