Alocasia Macrorrhiza ‘Stingray’ Care Guide (2024)

Alocasia Macrorrhiza 'Stingray'

Some plants have a fancy way of showing off their beauty. For Alocasia macrorrhiza ‘Stingray’, having unique-shaped foliage makes it stand out among other alocasia varieties. Alocasia Stingray is a lovely houseplant that is easy to maintain. However, if you’re a beginner, you may find it tough to grow this plant.

Scientific NameAlocasia macrorrhiza ‘Stingray’
Common NameAlocasia Stingray, Elephant Ear, giant taro
LightBright but indirect light
WateringAbout once or twice a week
TemperatureBetween 65°F (18°C) to 85°F (29°C)
Hardiness ZoneZones 10 and 11
HumidityBetween 40-70%
Soil Typewell-draining soil
Soil pHpH of 5.5 to 6.5
FertilizingWater-soluble fertilizer such as the 10-10-10 formula,
every 2 weeks from the start of spring until August
RepottingSpring or summer,  repotting every 18-24 months
PruningRemoved yellow or dying leaves and plants
PropagationSown from ripe seeds by rhizome division, offsets, and cutting from the root stem
ToxicityToxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses
Mature Size15-feet (458cm) tall and 8-feet (244cm) wide
Bloom TimeMid-summer

What’s Unique About Alocasia Stingray?

Alocasia Stingray plant makes eye-catching foliage as it resembles the shape of a marine animal commonly known as a stingray. It has that flat, leathery leaves that point upwards and curve inward. It has that notable whiptail. 

This plant is native to Southeast Asia and is a perfect indoor plant if you wish to achieve a tropical look. Alocasias also have a reputation for being good air purifiers. So, apart from having a beautiful plant display, you’ll also have a functional ornamental that cleans the air from possible toxins. However, we have a word of caution about Alocasia Stingray as this plant is considered toxic.

Alocasia Stingray Care

Alocasia Stingray plant care is relatively easy. However, this plant is not advisable for inexperienced gardeners. If you want your Alocasia Stingray plants to thrive, you have to pay serious attention to proper light, moisture, temperature, and humidity.

Following are the specific Stingray plant care requirements to serve as your guide:

Light

When trying to fulfill the Alocasia Stingray light requirements, always consider the natural habitat from where it originates. You will find alocasia species mostly under tree canopies in the rainforest. Hence, they’re used to receiving dappled light, not full sun. 

When taken indoors, the way to properly achieve Stingray plant light needs is to place it near an east or west-facing window where it can indirectly receive at least 6 hours of sunlight. When it’s too hot, adding a sheer curtain will help dissipate the heat, thereby, protecting the leaves from scorching.

Pro-Tip: Add an artificial light source if sunlight is lacking.

Watering

Generally, alocasias have high watering needs. They need the soil to be moist but not overly wet. Once the top two inches of the soil gets dry, it’s time to water Stingray plant again. Just make sure that the pot has enough drainage holes to drain excess water and prevent root rot. 

Given the Alocasia Stingray watering needs, expect that you’ll have to water the plant once or twice a week. But of course, this also depends on what the prevailing season is. Summer and spring will require more watering than winter, obviously. It’s up to you to just adjust the routine accordingly.

Temperature

Keep the plant in a warm environment. The most favorable Alocasia Stingray temperature range is between 65°F (18°C) to 85°F (29°C). This is normally achievable indoors at room temperature. Avoid cold drafts as this plant has limited temperature tolerance. Sudden temperature changes can lead to serious damage to your plant.

It’s not that hard to achieve the correct temperature for Stingray plant if you’re living in areas under USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11. But if not, you may need to do a few adjustments to help your plant thrive. Without proper temperature, any plant species will not grow optimally.

Humidity

It’s important to be mindful of the Alocasia Stingray humidity requirements because this will help the plant grow lush and healthy. If the humidity level is not correct, your plant will show signs of stress such as browning and curling of the leaf tips. This could be a real trouble when left without 

For best results, try to stick close to the ideal humidity for Stingray plant which is between 40 to 70%. If the conditions get dry, might as well turn the humidifier on or start misting around your plant. If you have other foliage plants, grouping them together will also help raise the humidity in the area.

Soil

It’s critical that the soil for Stingray plant be moist but not soggy. To achieve this, you must prepare a soil mix that has a well-draining property but also demonstrates good retention of moisture. You can combine one part soil, one part perlite or coarse potting sand, and one part peat. 

Test the drainage of the Alocasia Stingray soil by pouring water continuously. Excess water must seep out of the pot just a few minutes after. You must also ensure that it has the correct pH. Ideally, the ph level for Stingray plant must fall between 5.5 to 6.5.

Fertilizer

Adding fertilizer for Stingray plant is beneficial because it supplies essential nutrients to the growing plant. Incorporating organic matter in the soil is good as it slowly releases nutrients. But if you want the nutrients to be more readily available, you can use synthetic fertilizers. Find one that has a balanced fertilizer ratio of NPK like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. 

Before applying Alocasia Stingray fertilizer, be sure to dilute the solution to half of its strength. Water the soil first so it will be damp. This lessens the risk of acquiring fertilizer burns. Apply fertilizer every two weeks during the summer and spring seasons only.

Potting & Repotting

You will need to do Alocasia Stingray repotting every 2 years. This plant prefers to be a little pot-bound. But after a considerable time, it will require a little bigger container to have enough space to grow. Choose a container with a pot size that’s at most 2 inches larger than the old one. 

Wait for the Spring or Summer seasons before repotting Stingray plant. These seasons are the period when your plant’s growth is most active. Hence, they have a high chance of recovering well after the potting process. 

Pro-tip: Be careful not to damage the roots when repotting so the plant will remain healthy.

Pruning

Alocasia Stingray pruning is relatively simple. You just have to remove the leaves that are dying, aged, diseased, or discolored. This is to maintain the plant’s aesthetic appearance as well as its health. Pruning encourages the regrowth of new stems and leaves. 

There are simple ways to follow when you decide to trim your plant. First, you have to spot the portions that must be removed. Next, prepare the tools that you’ll be using by sanitizing them. Don’t forget to put on your gloves. Then, proceed with cutting Stingray plant with caution, making sure that you create clean, slanted cuts.

Propagation

You have many options when it comes to Alocasia Stingray propagation. One is through rhizome division. The other is the separation of the offset. You may also get cuttings from the roots. And of course, you can use the seeds. Among such methods, the rhizome division is the most efficient. 

To propagate Stingray plant through rhizome, you have to remove the whole plant from its pot. Remove the soil and wash the root ball. Now, you have a better view of the rhizomes. Using a clean knife, cut the rhizomes individually to separate them from the cluster. Plant each rhizome separately in individual pots. In a few weeks, you’ll see baby Stingray plants growing independently.

Also, make sure to check out our in-depth dragon scale Alocasia plant care guide.

Common Problems of Alocasia Stingray 

There are various ways to identify Alocasia Stingray problems. But you can normally observe visible signs on the leaves such as deformities and discoloration. Those things will tell a lot about the health of your plant. The common problems with Stingray plant that you’ll most likely encounter are caused by certain pests and diseases.

Pests 

The Stingray plant is susceptible to attacks from common houseplant pests like aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, scales, thrips, and whiteflies. Due to their small size, it’s often hard to spot their presence unless they’ve already spread widely. So, as a way of caution, always check specific portions of your plant. Bugs, for example, love hiding in the cubbyholes of the plant.

The way to beat these Alocasia Stingray pests is to do prevention. Always make sure that the environment has the best growing conditions so your plant isn’t stressed. If they managed to infest your plant, get rid of them using neem oils or diluted insecticidal soaps.

Diseases

There are certain Alocasia Stingray diseases that you should be wary about. They include root rot, leaf spot disease, botrytis, rust, powdery mildew, and southern blight. Root rot causes yellowing of leaves and stems as well as stunted growth. Southern blight is characterized by rapid loss of the older leaves along with root rot. 

Botrytis has signs visible on the leaf surface like yellow spots and streak wounds. Powdery mildew, on the other hand, would look like a powdery covering on the leaves of your Stingray plant. Most of these diseases are caused by excess moisture. So, always adjust the growing conditions so these fungal diseases won’t flourish.

Growing Problems 

It’s common for any plant species to experience growing problems. After all, your Alocasia Stingray is a living creature and it’s also prone to experiencing setbacks. Most of the time, the appearance of the leaves will tell whether you have a sick plant or not. Be mindful of the discolorations you see. They might indicate a more serious problem behind.

Toxicity of Alocasia Stingray

Stingray plant has a serious toxicity issue. This is pretty common for Alocasia species and other plants belonging to the Araceae family. They contain high amounts of calcium oxalate crystals that are toxic to both humans and pets when ingested. As a responsible plant owner, it’s your duty to keep this plant in secure manner.

For Humans 

Adult humans will not likely ingest a portion of this plant. But they can be susceptible to skin irritation if they manage to get in contact with its sap. So if you plan to invite your friends, make sure you have a label attached to this plant to warn them that it’s toxic. 

Children, on the other hand, can be more explorative. They may try to ingest the leaves or the stems. This is going to be an unfortunate event as the calcium oxalates can cause serious irritation to the mouth and other parts of the digestive system. To be safe, place your Alocasia Stingray in a location that’s higher than what the kids can reach.

For Pets

Growing Alocasia Stingray can be a little more challenging especially if you have pets around the home. They can be more susceptible to the plant’s toxicity and it will have a more serious effect on their health. The crystals coming from the plant will penetrate the tissues causing irritation to the mouth and GI tract. 

Symptoms will include swelling of the mouth, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. If your dogs and cats start showing these symptoms, better consult a veterinarian for immediate treatment. Always be a wise fur parent and keep this plant away from your pets to save yourself from future trouble.

Alocasia Stingray Appearance

Alocasia Stingray is primarily a foliage plant. It is an evergreen perennial that is popular for its unique-shaped leaves, similar to that of a stingray animal. Alocasia Stingray appearance has a striking visual impact, especially when taken as an indoor plant. Although it’s a rare occasion, Alocasia Stingray produces flowers, too. 

Foliage

If you’ve seen a Stingray animal, you’ll most likely find it easy to identify the Alocasia Stingray. Just by looking at its flat and triangular leaves, each having a tail extension pointing upwards, you’ll certainly know that it is this plant. The foliage of Alocasia Stingray has dark green color coupled with silvery green veins. 

If given proper attention, these leaves will continue to be lush and attractive. But if stressed out, you’ll notice the appearance of discoloration such as fading of color, yellowing, browning, and development of lesions. Those are symptoms of underlying problems. Prune the affected leaf to prevent further damage.

Flowering

Now, you may be wondering what a Stingray plant flower looks like. It’s difficult to catch a flower or two because Alocasias require a long time before they become capable of producing flowers. Hence, blooming is typically a rare occurrence, especially for those plants tended indoors. 

But to give you a clear idea of what Alocasia Stingray flowering is, imagine the flowers produced by peace lilies. It has that spoon-shaped shell known as spathe which surrounds the spadix or the real flower. That spathe has a white or greenish color. They usually appear during late summer and would last for about 5 days.

Size and Growth

The size of Alocasia Stingray can reach an average of 150 cm (5 feet) if planted indoors in pots. However, if you plant it outdoors, it can extend to about 458 cm (15 feet) tall and 244cm (8 feet) wide. It has a growth rate of 3-5 feet per year in an outdoor environment. 

However, if you want to control its size, you can have it potted in smaller containers. With limited soil and resources, the plant will remain like a dwarf version. This is the key to keeping the plant more manageable in an indoor setting. Of course, you have to repot every two years to replenish depleted soil.

Alocasia Stingray Fragrance

There’s nothing special when it comes to Alocasia Stingray fragrance. Don’t expect any special scent because it won’t give off any. The leaves remain naturally unscented all the time. However, there can be instances when it’ll give off an unfavorable odor. This happens when your plant is experiencing stem or root rot. 

Such a foul smell is characterized by a musty odor that comes from the rotting portions of the plant. It’s best to inspect the soil, stems, and roots to spot signs of rot disease. Fungal growth can also happen as a result of a constantly damp environment leading to an unpleasant smell. Make sure to provide your plant with proper airflow.

Suggested Uses for Alocasia Stingray

Alocasia Stingray are great indoors. These plants will perfectly fit glasshouses, conservatories, and greenhouses. It creates a tropical vibe in any space with those green, unique foliage. Aside from its gorgeous appearance, this plant will also be a good source of fresh air for your home or office. 

Outdoors, this Alocasia Stingray will also do well as it can grow bigger. You can have it planted as an attraction just outside of your home. Pair it up with other tropical plant species. Include it as your element in your soft scapes. Just make sure that its location is somewhere partly shaded so it won’t get scorched.

FAQ

What is Alocasia Stingray? 

Alocasia Stingray is a rare variety of Elephant ear plant that has a unique appearance. It’s another herbaceous perennial that comes from the Alocasia genus.

How to identify Alocasia Stingray? 

Simply look at its leaves and you’ll instantly know that it’s Alocasia Stingray. The plant’s green leaves resemble the appearance of the stingray with flattened bodies and a long tail.

How to care for Alocasia Stingray?

Proper soil moisture is of utmost importance. Alocasia Stingray also loves to thrive in a moist and warm environment so high humidity is also best. 

How to grow Alocasia Stingray indoors?

Find a location indoors that best provides its growing needs. It should have access to bright but indirect light. The place should be warm and highly humid too.

How to grow Alocasia Stingray outdoors?

Plant it in a partly shaded location as in under a tree canopy. You may also place it somewhere near a drained pot or stream as it loves moist soil.

How fast does Alocasia Stingray grow?

An Alocasia Stingray has a growth rate of 3 to 5 feet per year when taken outdoors. It has a fast-growing habit. But if taken indoors, growth becomes moderate due to limited resources.

How tall does Alocasia Stingray grow?

An indoor Alocasia Stingray can grow as tall as 5 feet (150 cm). But an outdoor one will grow bigger with a height of 15 feet (458 cm). 

How to make Alocasia Stingray grow faster?

Keep the soil moist, provide high humidity, and just enough light, and warm temperature. The right growing conditions eliminate stress and will make the plant happy.

How to stake Alocasia Stingray?

This plant has an upward growth habit. As it can grow tall, you may have to add a stake to keep it upright. You can use a pole and tie the stems around it to keep them upright.

How to pot Alocasia Stingray?

Prepare a sterile potting soil and a container 2 inches larger than the previous. Place your plant in the new pot taking extra care of the roots. Water the plant and keep the soil slightly moist.

How to revive Alocasia Stingray?

If your plant is becoming a little stressed, it’s time to check the existing conditions in its environment. Adjust these conditions accordingly to make them more favorable for plant growth.

Why is my Alocasia Stingray dying?

It can be due to overwatering or underwatering, lack of light and humidity, nutrient deficiency, presence of pests, and diseases. There are many probable causes so you must investigate first. 

Why is my Alocasia Stingray drooping?

Drooping can be a result of watering problems, temperature stress, repotting stress, or lack of light. It can also be a combination of many of these factors.

How cold can Alocasia Stingray tolerate?

Alocasia Stingray can tolerate a cold temperature up to 15°C (59°F) without damage. If the temperature drops to -5°C (45°F), your plant will acquire irreversible damage such as withering.

How to get rid of pests on Alocasia Stingray? 

Isolate the infested plant to prevent the spread of pests. Treat the affected areas by spraying homemade solutions like diluted neem oil and insecticidal soap. 

Is Alocasia Stingray toxic to cats? 

Yes. Alocasia Stingray is toxic to cats. It contains large amounts of calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the mouth and GI tract of your pet. 

Is Alocasia Stingray toxic to dogs?

Yes. This plant is also toxic to dogs. If any portion of the plant is ingested, your furbaby may experience irritation in the mouth and other parts of the digestive system.

Is Alocasia Stingray toxic to children? 

Yes, it is. So, it’s best to keep this plant away from the reach of your kids. The sap may cause irritation on the skin and eyes. If ingested, it may cause serious trouble. 

Is Alocasia Stingray toxic to humans? 

Yes. Even adult humans are not spared from the toxicity of Alocasia Stingray. It may cause severe irritation on the skin, eyes, mouth, and other parts of the digestive system.

Does Alocasia Stingray have a scent? 

None. This plant has no special scent so expect nothing. It may, however, produce an unpleasant odor if it happens to be experiencing root rot.

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