Last Updated on December 4, 2022 by Plant Mom Care
Alocasia Bambino is indigenous to Southeast Asia and is another evergreen plant from the ornamental Alocasia genus. Its gorgeous arrowhead green leaves are purple underneath with a bright, elegant venation on their surfaces.
They are excellent indoor plants for both novices and seasoned gardeners because they are so simple to grow and maintain.
This is a dwarf variety and only reaches a height of about 12 inches when grown indoors. It can live for two to several years, provided that you care for it properly.
Bambino is also a flowering plant that blooms in spring and summer, but the foliage outshines the somewhat insignificant flowers.
Alocasia Bambino Light Requirements
This plant requires indirect light, but avoids growing it under the direct sun as the leaves can burn easily, so its ideal location should be on a shelf or tabletop in a room with lots of indirect natural light.
It can also grow well behind semi-translucent curtains or in the shade of bigger plants.
Alocasia Bambino Watering
This plant is not drought tolerant and does not like to be dry between watering. Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain a regular schedule of watering it every week. Water it thoroughly until excess water drains out from the pot.
It can get stressed by both over-watering and/or under-watering so follow a consistent watering schedule.
Alocasia Bambino Humidity
This plant will thrive happily in surroundings that mimic the humid, warm tropical environment it originates from. Maintain an average humidity level over 70% – it can also thrive in a bright bathroom enjoying the humidity from your shower.
Alocasia Bambino Temperature
It grows well in temperatures between 64 to 85°F, with a minimum low of 50°F.
Alocasia Bambino Soil
Its soil has to be loose and well-draining. Dense or compact soil mixes tend to retain moisture and can rapidly bring about root rot causing dire effects on the plant.
A mix of potting soil, sand or succulent soil, and orchid bark will keep the roots aerated and well-drained.
Alocasia Bambino Repotting
This plant is small, slow growing, and can be repotted in 2 – 3 years or when roots emerge outside the drainage holes. Use a new pot that is 1 or 2 inches larger.
Repotting the plant is best done in the spring or summer when it is actively growing. The reason for this is that if the roots get damaged, they’ll grow back nicely in these seasons.
Alocasia Bambino Propagation
The simplest way to propagate this plant is by dividing the rhizomes in spring or summer, before you begin to sterilize all your tools and wear gloves. Select a mature plant and water it well. Remove the parent plant from the container and cut the rhizome into several sections. Replant the parent and plant the sections into individual pots filled with suitable soil.
Now, place the pots in warm temperatures, high humidity, and plenty of indirect sunlight. Keep the soil moistened and reduce watering to your normal schedule after new roots and leaves emerge.
Additional Care
Feed the plant every month in summer and spring to help promote healthy foliar growth with diluted balanced fertilizer. Avoid feeding it in winter.
Significant pruning isn’t necessary as the leaves grow on separate stalks. However, remove dead foliage and wipe the leaves regularly to keep them free from dust and/or pests.
Alocasia Bambino Common Problems
Stress caused by overwatering, extreme temperatures, and insufficient light can stress the plant and create inappropriate conditions for pests to attack the plant. Spider mites, scale, thrips, mealybugs, and whitefly usually are the most common pests that can appear in these conditions.
Spray the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap solution to eliminate these pests, repeating the procedure after two weeks.
Check all plants you purchase before you bring them indoors and isolate them until you’re certain no unwanted insect pests are living in the foliage. Keeping the leaves clean and removing plant debris near the plant’s base will prevent pests from finding a home on the plant.
Improper drainage or over-watering are two common causes of yellow leaves. Saturated soil can suffocate the roots, making the leaves look yellow and pale. Since this plant loves water and isn’t drought-tolerant, lack of moisture is a big problem and can make the leaves look dull and listless.
Prevent this by watering the plant by following a set watering schedule and you won’t face this problem.
Over-watering could also make leaves develop brown tips. Another cause can be over-exposure to direct sun. Let the topsoil become dry before watering it again. Inspect the plant’s location and move the plant to a shaded location if it is growing in direct sun – it thrives best under indirect light.
Brown leaf tips could also be due to fertilizer burn. Over-fertilizing or fertilizer with a high nitrogen content can cause leaf browning. Follow the instructions and always dilute the dose to prevent over-fertilization.
There can be several causes why the plant might suffer from leaf drop. Over-watering or low light or pest infestation or diseases could be the cause.
If this is because of over-watering, let the soil become dry before watering again. If it’s due to low light, move it to a brighter area but out of the direct sun. And if you think it might be due to pest infestation or disease, carefully examine the leaves for insects or fungal diseases. Treat the problem accordingly with organic pesticides or fungicides.
Alocasia Types
Is Alocasia Bambino easy to maintain?
These beautiful plants are very easy to look after indoors. Provide them with the appropriate care and maintenance to keep them happy.
Is Alocasia Bambino an indoor plant?
This is a dwarf and will only grow to a height of about 12 inches when grown indoors.
What distinguishes Alocasia Bambino from Polly?
Alocasia Bambino is very similar in appearance to Alocasia Polly however, they’re entirely different in size as Alocasia Bambino’s size is much smaller than the Polly plant.
Why is my Alocasia Bambino dying?
Over- or under-watering, nutrient deficiency, and temperature stress are the main causes for the plant to die. Proper watering and using pots with lots of drainage holes and well-draining soil will prevent problems with watering, proper use of fertilizer will prevent any nutritional deficiencies, and maintaining appropriate temperature levels will help keep the plant healthy and thriving.
Can you mist Alocasia Bambino?
This plant needs a humidity level of 50% or more and it will tolerate low levels with no problem. If growing conditions are too arid, misting the leaves regularly or using a humidifier nearby will help raise humidity levels. Excessive misting could make the leaves inordinately wet and attract fungal diseases.