Alocasia Hilo Beauty is a houseplant that is likely to originate from Hawaii. The plant is from the Araceae family, along with calla lilies and dumb cane, and is part of the Caladium genus[1]. Scientifically known as Caladium praetermissum, hilo beauty plant features variegated green and white elephant ear leaves and dark green/brown stems.
Hilo beauty is classified as an ornamental perennial plant[2]. The elephant ear plant can be found at online retailers, including Etsy.
Alocasia Hilo Beauty Care
If you happen to obtain one of these elephant ear beauties, it’s important to educate yourself on proper care to ensure that it thrives.
Alocasia hilo beauty is a plant that is easy to care for and requires basic knowledge to ensure it thrives. Below you will find all of the information you need about its care, including soil and watering requirements.
Soil
The best kind of soil for hilo beauty elephant ear is a mixture that is free-draining but retains moisture. Mixing peat moss with sand and potting in equal amounts will provide the nutrient-rich and well-drained soil you need.
Watering
A good rule to follow when watering an alocasia hilo beauty is to wait for the top inch or two of soil to dry. The soil of this plant should remain moist without over-saturation. Over saturating this plant can cause root rot.
Lighting
Lighting requirements for the hilo beauty are bright but indirect daylight. Too much light can scorch the foliage. Try to place the plant by a south-facing window.
Humidity & Temperature
This plant enjoys a tropical environment and should be kept at temperatures above 60°F or 15.56°C. If you can keep the temperature 80°F or 26.67°C and above, the plant will flourish.
Humidity for the hilo beauty plant is best kept between 50% and 80%, which is above the average indoor humidity. Misting the plant or placing a humidifier near it can help you achieve that range.
Fertilizing
A diluted balanced liquid fertilizer used frequently throughout the growing seasons (spring and summer) are best for the alocasia hilo beauty. Once a month is the recommended feeding schedule and less frequently during the cool winter months.
Propagation
To propagate the hilo beauty plant, use the rhizomes[3]. The rhizomes are swollen underground stems that you can divide into new plants. All you have to do is separate the rhizomes using your hands and plant them into a new pot with the proper soil mixture and watering routine.
Diseases & Pests
Scale, aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs can all affect a Caladium praetermissum. If you notice these pests infecting your hilo beauty plant, use a soap spray or other natural pesticide. Additionally, you will need to watch out for root rot, which can occur from a lack of soil drainage. Over-fertilizing this plant can also cause chemical burns to its roots.
Toxicity
Elephant ear hilo beauty is toxic to humans and animals because it contains calcium oxalate crystals. When ingested, this plant can cause a myriad of symptoms, including swelling, gastrointestinal distress, irritation, and more.
Growing Hilo Beauty Indoors vs Outdoors
Caladium praetermissum (common name alocasia hilo beauty) can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Since the plant is often grown in a pot for indoor use, you can choose to keep the plant outdoors during the warmer season and bring it inside during the colder months. Keeping the plant indoors allows you to maintain a constant temperature and humidity regulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Elephant ear hilo beauty grows to 1m or 3ft tall[2]. And they reach a similar measure in width, often reaching the .61m or 2ft mark.
Although the hilo beauty plant is often referred to as an Alocasia, thanks to its common name, it is neither an Alocasia nor a Colocasia. It is actually a Caladium[1].
Hilo beauty, also known as hilo beauty elephant ear, can be propagated. It is best to propagate this plant when it’s actively growing during the spring and summer months. There are multiple ways to propagate this plant, including offsets, stem cuttings, and most popularly, rhizome division.
References:
[1]Hetterscheid , W. L. A., Bogner, J., & Boos, J. (n.d.). Two New Caladium Species. Aroid. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://aroid.org/genera/changes/Aroideana0320006.pdf
[2]Caladium praetermissum Bogner & Hett. Flora & Fauna Web. (2021, October 14). Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/1/6/1635
[3]Rhizome. Wikipedia. (2022, August 27). Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhizome