Alocasia Cucullata - Buddha's Hand - Set of 2 Plants - 17cm Pot - Height 60-65cm

The Alocasia Cucullata prefers bright, indirect light, ideally 1 to 2 meters from a well-exposed east- or west-facing window.

In its natural habitat in Southeast Asia, this plant grows in the forest understory, sheltered by the canopy. It therefore receives filtered light that is intense but never direct. Indoors, reproducing these conditions allows it to develop its characteristic foliage with great vigor. Direct midday sun, especially in summer, can cause yellow or brown patches on its glossy leaves.

In summer, an east-facing window is perfect for it, with the soft morning sun. In winter, move it closer to a south- or west-facing window to compensate for the reduction in natural light. A thin curtain is enough to soften the most intense rays.

Important tip 🌿Avoid placing it in a dark hallway or a room without windows: its foliage would become dull and its growth would stagnate.For low-light rooms, our full-spectrum horticultural lamp for indoor plants faithfully mimics natural light, without harmful UV rays.

Alocasia Cucullata is toxic to cats, dogs, and young children.

Like all Alocasia plants, it contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in its leaves, stems, and rhizomes. These microscopic crystals cause intense mechanical irritation of the mucous membranes upon contact or ingestion.

If ingested, the most common symptoms are a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and sometimes vomiting. These symptoms are generally localized and not life-threatening, but they are painful and require veterinary or medical attention if a significant amount is ingested.

What precautions should you take on a daily basis?

Place your Alocasia Cucullata on a high surface or in a room inaccessible to curious pets and young children. It is also advisable to wear gloves when handling the plant, especially during repotting, to avoid prolonged contact with the sap.

With the proper precautions, Alocasia Cucullata can coexist perfectly in a household with pets and children, provided it is kept out of reach.

Alocasia Cucullata leaves most often turn yellow due to overwatering, insufficient light, or a nutrient deficiency.

• If the leaves turn yellow and become limp, the problem is generally caused by overwatering, which leads to the early stages of root rot.
• If the leaves gradually turn yellow while remaining firm and dry, the plant is often lacking light or fertilizer.
• If the yellowing is accompanied by small light-colored spots, a dull appearance, or fine webbing, it may be a spider mite infestation, which is common indoors, especially in dry conditions.

Alocasia Cucullata has a distinct seasonal cycle: it is completely normal for it to lose one or two leaves in early autumn, when it enters its natural vegetative dormancy, and this is not a sign of a problem.

Important tip 🌿One or two old leaves turning yellow from time to time is completely normal.However, you should be concerned if several leaves turn yellow quickly or if the problem spreads to the young leaves.

In the event of a spider mite infestation, choose our biological spider mite control solutions, which are effective and safe for the plant.

The Alocasia Cucullata is ideally repotted in spring, between March and May, when growth actively resumes.

Repotting is necessary when:

• roots grow out through the drainage holes,
• growth slows down,
• or the potting mix compacts too quickly after watering.

As a general rule, repotting every 2 years is sufficient for an adult plant.

The Alocasia Cucullata develops a compact rhizomatous root system: when repotting, you may notice small tubers at the base of the plant, which can be gently separated to produce new shoots.

Choose a pot 2 to 3 cm wider than the old one, and make sure it has drainage holes. Our clear pots with holes for observing roots after repotting are ideal: their transparency makes it easy to monitor root recovery without disturbing the plant.

We recommend our premium potting mixes made in France, designed for drainage, aeration, and healthy growth.

1. Gently remove the plant from its pot, tapping the pot if necessary.
2. Gently loosen the roots if they are very compact, without breaking them.
3. Place a layer of potting mix, position the plant upright, and fill in around it without burying the crown.

Important tip 🌿After repotting, water to help settle the potting mix. Repotting every two years is sufficient.

The Alocasia Cucullata is fertilized every 2 to 3 weeks from March to October, with liquid fertilizer diluted in the watering water.

From November to February, reduce fertilization significantly or stop it. This is the period of vegetative rest.

A well-dosed supply promotes:

• denser and well-colored foliage,
• steady growth,
• and better plant resistance.

The Alocasia Cucullata is a plant with strong seasonal growth: its nutrient needs are particularly important in spring and early summer, when it produces its new large leaves.

👉 For better results, we recommend our liquid fertilizer for all indoor plants with a graduated dropper, easy to dose, with quickly visible results.

Important tip 🌿Never fertilize in dry substrate: this could burn the roots. Water first, then apply the fertilizer 2 to 3 days later.

Water the Alocasia Cucullata when the potting mix has dried out thoroughly, approximately every 7 to 10 days in summer and every 10 to 15 days in winter. Use room-temperature water.

How to know when to water?

The finger test remains the most reliable method: insert your index finger 2 to 3 cm into the potting mix. If the mix is dry, it is time to water.

The Alocasia Cucullata is particularly sensitive to excess standing water: always ensure that the pot drains properly after watering and never leave the plant sitting in a saucer filled with water, as this may cause rapid root rot.

Important tip: If in doubt, wait rather than watering. Plants tolerate a lack of water better than overwatering, which causes the roots to rot.

Alocasia Cucullata is propagated by separating rhizomes or offsets, ideally in spring during the annual repotting.

Tuber division methodUnlike classic water propagation, Alocasia Cucullata is propagated by carefully removing the tubers or offsets that form at the base of the plant. Use our stainless steel straight-tip pruning shears to cleanly cut the small root connections without crushing the tissues.

1. When repotting, identify well-formed tubers or offsets at the base of the plant. Carefully separate them with your stainless steel pruning shears, leaving a few roots on each section.
2. Place each cutting in our clear pots to monitor root development, filled with slightly moist potting mix.
3. Place in a warm (22 to 25°C), bright location away from direct sunlight. If possible, cover with a clear cloche to maintain humidity.

Use our all-purpose potting mix enriched with essential nutrients to house the young cuttings and promote root establishment under the best conditions.

Important tip 🌿Rooting generally takes 3 to 5 weeks. A positive sign is the appearance of a new leaf, which indicates that the cutting has successfully established. Avoid watering too frequently during this delicate period.