Question

alocasia   hi

I have alocasia plant as you see in the pic.

the weather is too hot and I heared that this plant likes water
but Iam fear from water it too much since there are more than plant died from root rot (over-watering)
please can you tell me should I keep the soil moist all the time ? or I should leave it until drying

thank you

Answer
Sara
Actually your plant is grown in high temperature tropical areas throughout the world...Often called Elephant ear plants there are many species in existence...In this case do not allow the plant to go so dry as to cause the leaves to wilt...Water it as I suggested (see below), but make sure the soil does not go too dry in between waterings...The more sunlite you give the plant the faster it will dry out...Keeping the soil wet at all times will usually result in killing the plant...
Water your plant based on how much it weighs when thoroughly watered VS when it is ready to be watered again...Plants die from too frequent waterings, not from how much water you give them at one time...Pick up or lean the pot and feel how heavy it is after watering it thoroughly... Sometimes it helps to put a saucer under the pot when watering and let the plant sit in water for 10-15 minutes...Don't water it again until it feels considerably lighter and the top of the soil is lighter in color...You can always poke your finger into the soil if you are not sure...Depending on plant types, sunlight exposure and pot size plants will need water at many different rates from once a day to once a month or more...
It helps to spray mist the elephant plant periodically to keep the leaves free of dust and add humidity around the plant...A lot of this depends on how much lite the plant receives...

Good luck,
Rick