Alocasia Sarian - Best Care Guide

Alocasia Sarian like higher than average humidity but other than that they are really easy to care for, read on for all you need to know about alocasia sarian care…

Alocasia Sarian Summary

Light needs:	Bright indirect sunlight.
Watering needs:	Check it once a week, water if top 25% of the soil is dry.
Fertilizer:	A balanced fertilizer once a month in spring and summer.
Soil:	A light, loose, rich, well draining soil.
Humidity:	60%-70%.
Temperature:	18-25ºC (64-77ºF).
Where to buy:	Try our list of Rare Plant Shops or Etsy.
Common issues:	Over and underwatering as well as lack of humidity.

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Introduction

Welcome to our alocasia sarian care guide. It is an amazing looking alocasia with really pointed leaves, it’s a hybrid of the zebrina and micholitziana alocasias.

Tip: we recommend Etsy for buying plants. Look for the best rated seller you can, and try to buy as close to your home as possible so the plant does not travel too far.

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Alocasia Sarian Light Needs

The sarian needs bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight may burn the leaves, and low light will stunt the growth. An ideal spot is to the side of a bight window.

How Often to Water

Check it once a week and and water it if the top 25% of the soil is dry. They should not sit in soaking soil, but they like to stay slightly moist. After watering make sure you get rid of any water that is sat in the saucer at the bottom, as this can cause waterlogging and root rot.

Fertilizer

Feed your alocasia sarian a balanced fertilizer once a month in spring and summer. Do not feed in winter.

Alocasia Sarian Soil

They like a light and loose, well draining soil with plenty of rich organic matter. A mix of orchid bark, perlite and normal potting compost is great. For more on which soil to buy or how to make your own see our guide: Alocasia Soil.

When To Repot

You can repot year-round if it has outgrown it’s current pot, the best time to do it is in spring. A good practice is to check the roots about Easter time for all your plants.

Alocasia Sarian Humidity

60%-70% is ideal, which is above normal household humidity. Alocasias love humidity, so keep them in a (well lit) bathroom, use a humidifier, or make a pebble bath for them. Misting them is ok too, but be careful with fungus.

Tip: Keep them humid, at least 60% in the day and they’ll be ok with a bit less at night. You can buy a humidity meter (affiliate link) to keep an eye on maximum and minimum levels.

Temperature

18-25ºC (64-77ºF). They’ll be fine in most households, just don’t let them get down to freezing in winter or at night.

Alocasia Sarian Propagation

Propagate it by splitting it at the base, so you’ll need to wait until your plant is big enough to divide. Then take it out of its pot and divide off a smaller plant and pot it up separately. You need to be really careful you don’t break any stems or too many roots, but the plants should come away in tact if you are careful.

Alocasia Sarian Size

They can grow to over a meter (just over 3 feet) in height sometimes if given the right conditions. Household plants will be much less than that though.

Where Do Alocasia Sarian Grow In The Wild?

They grow in the wild in the Philippines.

Alocasia Sarian USDA Zone

Zones 9-11.

Alocasia Sarian Mature

When they are young they do not have the characteristic serated edges, they develop these over the first couple of years as they reach their mature form.

Other Names

Sarian Elephant Ear, Alocasia Zebrina Sarian.

Where To Buy An Alocasia Sarian

These are relatively rare, try our list of Rare Plant Shops. Or Etsy.

Alocasia Sarian FAQs and Common Problems

Common problems are over and underwatering as well as lack of humidity. Most problems with alocasias show on the leaves, as yellowing or brown spots which is most commonly due to underwatering or lack of humidity, but can be due to too much water and rot. You can easily assess which it is by checking if the plant is too wet or too dry.

Also be careful for pests on those beautiful leaves. For more info, see our section on houseplant pests and problems.

Is It Toxic To Cats?

It is toxic to dogs and cats if eaten, it can cause vomiting and irritation, so seek vets advice.

Alocasia Sarian Drooping

Alocasias can suffer from drooping, most often due to underwatering. It can also be due to overwatering so you have to be really careful how you treat it. Check the soil and assess if it is over or underwatering based on how wet the soil is, then maintain a regular watering schedule, where you check it every week but only water if soil is dry.

Alocasia Sarian Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves occur when the plant is stressed, most commonly due to overwatering. Make sure the plant is not sat in soaking soil and tip out excess water after watering.

For more on alocasias see our alocasia category with all our different care and propagation guides.

Alocasia Zebrina Brown Spots

Brown spots can be due to rot from overwatering or fungal issues. Make sure the plant is humid but it gets moving air. And so not be tempted to overwater it and let it sit in heavy wet soil.

Where Do Alocasia Sarian Grow?

They grow in humid forests in South East Asia, and are now a popular houseplant the world over.

Alocasia Sarian Vs Sanderiana

The Sanderina has very glossy, dark green leaves and which have a thin white border around the edge. The Sarian does not have a border, is a lusher green color and has more serrated leaf edges.

Alocasia Sarian Vs Zebrina

The Sarian is a hybrid of the zebrina and micholitziana (frydek) alocasias so it is very similar to both.

The difference between a sarian and an alocasia zebrina is that the sarian has very serrated edges to it’s leaves, which the zebrina does not.

Alocasia Sarian Vs Frydek

The sarian and an alocasia frydek are similar, but there are a few noticeable differences. The sarian has much shaper serrated leaves and it has a harder, glossier texture to it’s leaves, in contract to the more soft-to-touch frydek leaves.