Why are my leaves dripping water?

This is called guttation, where the plant releases excess moisture through its leaves.

How often should I water?

Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.

Plant guide

Elephant Ear.

Alocasia

Pronounced al-oh-KAY-zee-uh

Also known as Taro

Alocasia macrorrhizos — Photo by Greg III Espera (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Alocasias are stunning tropical plants known for their dramatic, arrow shaped leaves. They thrive in warm, humid environments that mimic their native forest floors. These plants make a bold statement in any indoor collection.

Another photo of Elephant Ear — Photo by observe-syz (CC0) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tropical perennial
Light: Bright, filtered light is best.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: Varies by species, typically 60 to 150 cm.
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely blooms indoors, but occasionally in late spring or summer.

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal overwatering or poor drainage. Provide plenty of ambient humidity to keep the foliage looking its best.

Watering: Water when the top 2 to 3 centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Remove yellow or damaged leaves at the base of the petiole to encourage new growth.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root bound or the soil breaks down.
Soil: Well draining, chunky aroid mix.
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: 15 to 29°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
The plant stops producing new leaves during the growing season.

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense burning and swelling of the mouth and throat.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested due to calcium oxalate crystals.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as ingestion of any part is dangerous.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested and can cause severe irritation.

How to identify it

Large, heart or arrow shaped leaves
Prominent, raised leaf veins
Long, sturdy, succulent like petioles
Glossy or velvety leaf texture

Height: 0.3 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.3 to 1.2m
Leaves: green, bronze, silver, purple, evergreen
Flowers: white, green, cream, 5 to 15cm
Fruit: red, orange, Rarely produces fruit in cultivation.

Problems to watch for

Fungus GnatsCommon
Root RotCommon
Spider MitesCommon
ChlorosisUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
MealybugsUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
EdemaRare

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, rhizome cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Reduce watering significantly during the cooler months as the plant enters a period of slower growth. Keep it away from cold drafts or heating vents.
In containers: They grow very well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is sized to fit the root ball snugly.

Division of offsets

Gently remove the plant from its pot.
Identify small corms or offsets attached to the main root system.
Carefully separate them with a clean, sharp blade.
Plant the offsets in a small pot with well-draining soil.
Keep the soil lightly moist until new growth appears.

Group moisture loving tropicals together to create a microclimate that boosts ambient humidity.

Grows well with

Ferns — They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
Philodendron — These plants thrive in the same tropical conditions as Alocasia.

Similar species

Colocasia — Often confused due to similar leaf shape, but Colocasia prefers even wetter soil.
Caladium — Shares the same family and tropical aesthetic but is smaller and tuberous.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Alocasia
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical and subtropical Asia and eastern Australia.
Conservation: Some wild species are threatened by habitat loss and over collection.

These plants grow in the shaded, humid understory of tropical forests.

Value to wildlife: provides shelter
Pollinators: beetles
Uses: ornamental houseplant, tropical garden accent

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 6/9
Light: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves dripping water?: This is called guttation, where the plant releases excess moisture through its leaves.
How often should I water?: Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.

Where the name comes from

The name Alocasia comes from the Greek words a, meaning without, and locasia, a type of water lily. It was named to distinguish it from the genus Colocasia.

Good to know

Alocasia leaves can grow over a meter long in their native habitat.
They are part of the Araceae family, related to peace lilies.
The leaves often have a waxy coating to shed heavy tropical rain.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.