Alocasia “Buddha’s Hand”
Lation name
Lation name
Pronounciation
Pronounciation
Common name
Common name
Origin
Origin
How easy is it care for?
Alocasia cucullata, commonly known as Buddha’s Hand, is a medium-sized foliage plant with glossy, green heart-shaped leaves, which feature prominent veins, and can grow up to 30cm long.
The Alocasia Cucullata is found in the shady humid undergrowth of forests, rainforests and along riverbanks in many parts of Asia, such as India, China, Burma and Sri Lanka. Often known as the ‘Buddha’s hand’ this plant is often found in Buddhist temples in Thailand and Laos.
The leaves are sometimes used externally in traditional medicine to treat symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis and to treat abscesses and even viper bites.
Caring for your Dracaena fragrans
Light
Medium-low – medium-high. Avoid direct sunlight
Watering
Keep the soil moist, but not wet. Mist the foliage with tepid water to reduce the risk of spider mites and dry leaf tips and margins
Pruning
The plant cannot be pruned, but older and dying leaves should be cut back to the base with a sharp knife
Feeding
A dilute solution of fertilizer can be added to the water every time you water the plant
Pest & Diseases
Mealybugs and other sap-feeding pests may be occasional problems. These can be removed by cleaning the plant with a damp cloth or paper towel. Two-spotted spider mites can also be troublesome, especially if the air is dry. Regular misting with tepid water will help deter them, and any webbing seen should be removed with a damp cloth or paper towel. Uneven, or irregular watering can lead to the development of a bacterial disease called Xanthomonas, which is characterized by small black spots with a yellow edge.
