Alocasia Lauterbachiana

Indoor plants bring serenity to a room, especially when they are healthy and decorative. The alocasia family of plants is known for its beautiful foliage, and they make stunning additions to any indoor space. The alocasia lauterbachiana is a popular houseplant with arrow-shaped leaves and unusual coloring. Although it may be expensive, it is easy to find on the plant market.

Alocasia lauterbachiana is a tropical plant that thrives in warm areas. It is planted indoors and sometimes outdoors in warmer places for its aesthetic appeal. It is easy to care for and does well in fairly bright, indirect light. Although it seldom blooms, the plant’s foliage is the focal point.

Alocasia lauterbachiana is indigenous to the Southeast Asian area, specifically the Bismarck Archipelago and Northern New Guinea. As a tropical plant, it grows best in conditions that mimic its original climate and is suitable for hardiness zones 9b to 11.

What Is The Botanical Name For Alocasia Lauterbachiana?

Alocasia Lauterbachiana is the botanical name for one of the approximately 80 species in the Alocasia genus. It belongs to the plant family known as Araceae. It also has some synonymous botanical names: Xenophya lauterbachiana, Alocasia wavriniana, and Schizocasia lauterbachiana. It was probably named after a 19^th-century botanist called Carl Lauterbach.

What Is The Common Name For Alocasia Lauterbachiana?

Botanists and other scientists may use the botanical name for this plant. Still, the average plant-lover and gardener calls it the purple sword, baroque sword, or silver sword. People often refer to alocasia plants as elephant ears because of the shape of their leaves, so some may call it the elephant ear purple sword.

Description Of Alocasia Lauterbachiana

The purple sword is a rhizomatous, evergreen plant that grows in thick clumps when planted outdoors. It has a short, herbaceous stem, around 2 inches in diameter.

The foliage is different from other alocasias that have broad, heart-shaped leaves. Lauterbachiana’s leaves are long, narrow, erect, and have a scalloped edge. Leaves are typically 16 to 20 inches long, 3 to 4 inches wide, and extend spirally from the stem. Petioles are mottled or striped deep purple and olive green. As the leaves mature, they become waxy, with purple undersides and green on top.

On the rare occasion that the purple sword blooms, it bears a flower ranging in color from white to green. It may also get red berries.

Outdoors in its natural environment, alocasia lauterbachiana can grow to 4 feet in height, but as a houseplant is more common for them to reach about 2 feet.

The Growth Preferences Of Alocasia Lauterbachiana

Although alocasia lauterbachiana only requires light maintenance, certain conditions are necessary to allow it to flourish. Things to consider for a happy plant are its light, water, soil, and surrounding temperature.

Light

The purple sword alocasia plant requires medium exposure to sunlight. Although the light should be quite bright, it should only get indirect light in the morning or afternoon from east- or west-situated windows, where it receives about six hours of indirect sunlight per day.

Water

Alocasias are water-loving plants and should be kept moist, but they do not tolerate soggy soil. Let the top few inches of soil become partially dry before watering the plant again. A. lauterbachiana requires more water in summer because it is its peak growing season, possibly 2 to 3 times a week. In winter, it may become dormant, and you may only have to water it once a week.

Soil

The purple sword grows best in a mix of sandy and loamy soils that drains well. It should be able to retain water without drenching the roots. Soil mixes specially made for tropical plants are ideal and contain coconut coir, coarse sand, and peat moss. The plant flourishes in slightly acidic to acidic soil, with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.

Temperature And Humidity

Alocasia lauterbachiana enjoys a humidity level between 60 – 75% and temperatures of 65 – 72°F.

Tips For Caring For Your Alocasia Lauterbachiana

Although the alocasia purple sword is not difficult to grow, some maintenance is needed to keep it thriving.

If the plant has yellow leaves at its base, although normal, you should trim off any yellowing or dead leaves. This can help it grow because the plant’s energy is directed towards healthy, developing leaves.
Clean the leaves regularly with a damp cloth to prevent the spreading diseases or fungal infections to the plant’s foliage.
Using half-strength liquid fertilizer during the growing season will make your alocasia lauterbachiana’s leaves stand out, but avoid using it in winter.

Common Issues And Troubleshooting Alocasia Lauterbachiana

Houseplants and even beauties like the purple sword have issues sometimes, including discolored leaves, diseases, and pests.

Leaf Issues

It is normal for leaves to become discolored and die off, but yellowing leaves could indicate a severe problem. Wet soil due to overwatering is usually the culprit, and it can cause root rot and eventually death.

When the leaves turn brown or discolored near the midspan, it is often due to insufficient lighting. Brown spots on the foliage could mean an infestation attack, and when the edges of the leaves turn brown, it means the plant needs more humidity.

If the leaves begin to droop, your alocasia lauterbachiana is dehydrated and needs more water. Extreme temperatures, insufficient humidity, and dry soil will cause the leaves to droop, so do your best to ensure the correct “climate” for your purple sword.

Diseases

The alocasia family is more susceptible to fungal diseases and insect pests than many other species, especially during spring and summer.

Fungal root rot is a common disease, most often caused by overwatering. It causes the affected tissues to turn brown and rot, leaving the dead tissue behind. If your plant’s leaves are yellow, the roots are brown and mushy, or the stems are beginning to wilt, it could have fungal root rot.

You may treat this by removing the plant from the pot and cutting away the damaged roots. When you repot the plant in fresh soil, spray some fungicide on the roots to prevent further infection.

Pests

Spider mites, mealy bugs, and aphids tend to attack the leaves of the purple sword plant. They drain the sap from the leaves and prevent photosynthesis. Washing the leaves with detergent and water helps to control pests. One teaspoon of detergent in a gallon of water is sufficient. You can clean the leaves with this solution twice a week.

Repotting Alocasia Lauterbachiana

For the first two years, it is not necessary to repot your plant; simply refresh the soil. After that, repotting it annually helps prevent root damage because it grows outwards from the container. The next pot should only be slightly bigger than the current one. Here are the steps for repotting your purple sword.

Water the plant every few days prior to repotting.
Remove it gently with the soil.
Half-fill the new pot with the correct soil mix.
Place the young plant in its new container and fill it with more soil.
Give the plant a lot of water and drain the excess.
Repot your alocasia lauterbachiana in early spring before the growing season.

Propagating Alocasia Lauterbachiana

You can easily divide the rhizomes to propagate the plant, and it is best to do this in the spring or summer months or when you are transferring it to another pot. Here are some steps to follow for successfully propagating the purple sword plant.

Choose a mature plant and shake off the soil.
Cut 1/3 of the parent rhizome with a sterilized blade or knife.
Place baby plants into their new pots with some well-draining soil.
Allow them to settle into their new pots and water them, ensuring good drainage.
Water the parent plant and continue repotting.

Conclusion

Alocasia lauterbachiana is usually the star among indoor plants due to its stunning green and purple foliage. Although it demands a few specific conditions, it is not a high-maintenance plant. With just a little bit of regular attention, this beauty will develop into a sizeable shrub, showing off its healthy, gorgeous leaves in your home.