Alocasia 'Stingray' has leaves that curl upward into two wings with a long, narrow tail trailing from the tip. A mature plant genuinely resembles a group of rays swimming.
It is a selection of Alocasia macrorrhizos, so it grows like that species: large, fast and comparatively forgiving.
Light
Alocasia 'Stingray' grows best in bright, indirect light, and takes more of it than most Alocasia. A couple of hours of gentle morning sun is fine.
Too little light
The stems stretch and lean, and the distinctive tails come in shorter.
Too much light
Hot afternoon sun bleaches the leaf surface.
Watering
Water when the top 3-5cm (1-2 inches) of soil is dry. This is a thirsty plant.
On average:
- Spring & summer: twice a week
- Autumn & winter: once a week
Signs of overwatering
- Leaves yellow from the oldest inward
- Stems soften at soil level
- Soil stays wet for days
Signs of underwatering
- Leaves droop and the stems bend
- The tails go crisp first
Humidity and temperature
Humidity above 60% keeps the leaves in good condition, and the thin tails brown first when it drops.
Keep it between 18°C and 29°C (65-84°F).
Soil and repotting
Soil
A chunky, free-draining aroid mix of bark, perlite and coco coir.
Repotting
Every spring while it is growing quickly. Use a heavy pot, since a mature plant is top-heavy.
Feeding
Balanced liquid fertiliser every 2 to 3 weeks through spring and summer. Like its parent species it is a heavy feeder.
Nothing in autumn and winter.
Pruning and grooming
Remove leaves at the base once they yellow. Wipe the glossy leaves occasionally.
Dormancy
It can drop everything in cold or low light and retreat to the corm. Keep barely damp and warm.
Common problems
Crispy leaf tails
Humidity too low. The narrow tails always go first.
Drooping leaves
Usually thirst. It recovers within hours.
Yellowing lower leaves
Normal in small numbers, overwatering if several go at once.
Short or missing tails on new leaves
Not enough light, or the plant is still young.