With its sophisticated allure and velvety appearance, the Alocasia Frydek effortlessly captures attention, making it the perfect choice as our plant of the month for May! The deep green foliage, adorned with striking white veins, creates a stunning harmony that captivates the eye. The Frydek adds a touch of elegance to any indoor space. And to enhance its beauty even more (if that is even possible), we're offering a discount on this stunning plant throughout the entire month. Don't miss out on the opportunity to bring home this botanical gem!

- Fun fact! The Alocasia is excellent at purifying the air. NASA recommends at least 9 medium-sized plants in a house of 120 m². Wouldn’t the Alocasia Frydek be a great option for this? An air purifier with looks to kill! :)

The Alocasia belongs to the Araceae family, better known as aroids. This family has many members, but what they all have in common is the flowers they can produce, called a Spadix. The Alocasia comprises 80 of these family members, yet the Frydek still manages to steal attention. Discovered in Manila, the Philippines, by Henry Frederick Conrad Sander back in 1912, it was later introduced to cultivation by the German botanical collector Willhelm Micholitz on behalf of the original founder, Sander. This is where the full name Alocasia micholitziana ‘Frydek’ originates. A nod to both the original founder and the one who introduced this beauty to plant lovers. What an honor it must be to have such a pretty plant named after you!

The Alocasia Frydek is not the easiest, but also not the hardest to care for. Alocasia, in general, are quite specific about their needs. Once you understand what they require, you should be fine. So let’s dive into the specifics!

Light

When it comes to light, they would like to receive plenty of bright indirect light. The Frydek is sensitive to sunburn (like most plants), which is why it's important to avoid harsh midday sun. So a spot next to a less sunny window (north or east facing) would be great! Alternatively, a few metres away from a sunnier window is also a good option

Soil Mix

Aroids have a specific preference for soil; it must be chunky, well-draining, and moisture-retaining. This might sound complicated, but it's not. You can mix substrates to create the perfect blend. We have included all the necessary substrates in our aroid potting mix kit, where we recommend mixing them according to the following ratio: 60% soil, 15% tree bark, 10% coco fiber, 10% active charcoal, and 5% perlite.

- PLNTS Tip! Now that you have created a soil mix that fulfills all your Alocasia Frydek's needs, you might still have excess water that accumulates at the bottom. If you use a pot with drainage holes, this excess water can drain out. This ensures that no water will accumulate at the bottom of your pot. Great examples of pots with drainage include a nursery pot combined with a decorative outer pot or a terracotta pot combined with a saucer.

Water

The Alocasia Frydek prefers constantly moist soil. This can be achieved by giving it a sip of water whenever the top of the soil feels dry. The Frydek absolutely doesn’t want overly saturated soil, as this will cause its roots to rot. Not only will this harm the roots, but it will also attract various pests that thrive in wet soil. This is not something you want in your urban jungle. On the other hand, too little water will cause the leaves to droop, discolour, and eventually fall off. That's why it's important to find the right balance where your Alocasia Frydek will thrive.

Temperature and Humidity

As the Frydek's origin lies in the tropics, it grows best in similar conditions. Therefore, you should keep the temperature between 18 and 29 degrees Celsius without drastic changes. Keep the plant away from cold drafts from open doors, windows, or air conditioners. The humidity should be at least 60%, but it's even better for your Frydek if it's kept around 80%. That's why a greenhouse is also a great way to keep your Alocasia cosy.

- PLNTS Tip! Another way you can increase the humidity for your Frydek is by placing the plant on top of a pebble tray. This is ideal when you use a terracotta pot and saucer. Simply place hydro grains and water in the saucer and place the plant in the pot on top. The water evaporates slowly, which increases the humidity.

Are you in possession of the beautiful Alocasia Frydek and would you like to propagate it? This can be done through cultivating the corms. These can be found around the root ball of an established mature Alocasia. So whenever your Alocasia is ready to be repotted, you might want to go on the hunt for corms too! Once found, this is how you can grow them into plants:

Step 1

Once you have your corm, the outer layer should be removed. This layer is usually dark brownish. The colour the corm is supposed to have is creamish white. If the layer does not come off easily, you can let it soak in lukewarm water.

Step 2

Make his new home ready! You can do this in many ways, by choosing a substrate and pot that works for you. If you don’t know where to start with it, you might want to go for sphagnum moss in combination with a nursery pot. This is easily accessible. You can also choose to play around with other substrates, like Pon, perlite or vermiculite.

Step 3

Now it’s time to plant the corm! The growth point (where the corm used to be attached to the motherplant) should be facing down. Push the corm into the substrate, making it secure on its place. Keep the substrate moist, but not wet.

Step 4

Create its own little environment. You could use a ziplock bag, plastic wrap or a greenhouse to close off the surroundings the corm is growing in. This will increase the humidity (which also makes sure the substrate dries out less quickly) and temperature. Make sure to place it on a location with bright indirect light. This makes the corm grow in optimal conditions, hoping it will develop into a baby plant.

Step 5

Patience and love. The development of the first sprout can take a few weeks. There is a chance that the corm will not develop and start rotting. This is when you can give up on the little project. Don’t worry, there is nothing wrong with your green thumbs. This happens quite frequently, making the process challenging at times. Don’t give up and try again when you find corms. Once you succeed, you will be so proud of your plant parents skills!

Is Alocasia Frydek hard to care for?

We would say this plant is medium in terms of care. This has to do with the picky nature of the Alocasia when it comes to water. They are also quite specific about their preferred light, humidity, and temperature conditions.

How do I keep my Alocasia Frydek happy?

Follow the care guide, and that should be everything you need to do to make your Alocasia Frydek thrive. We provide more care information on our Alocasia expert tips page.

Should you mist Alocasia Frydek?

You can mist your Frydek. Be aware that misting directly on the leaves can leave some white marks. If you would like to prevent that but still experience the higher humidity and all the other benefits that misting brings, you could invest in a humidifier. This little device does the work for you. :)

Does Alocasia Frydek like tap water?

Not necessarily. Tap water can be harsh, which could be why your Alocasia isn't thriving. If you need to use tap water, make sure to fill up your watering can at least 24 hours before giving it to your plants. This allows some harsh chemicals to evaporate from the water, making it better quality. Otherwise, rainwater is a great alternative!

What are the most common pests on Alocasia Frydek?

Out of all pests, spider mites seem to have a special interest in your Alocasia Frydek. These little creatures create tiny webs in the plant, as they thrive on the sap in the plant. So make sure to keep a close eye on these little creepy crawlers. The other most common pests, like aphids, mealybugs, or thrips, could also be alarming, so regular plant inspection is advised.

Buy Alocasia Frydek online

Have you fallen for the irresistible charm of Alocasia Frydek? We can’t blame you; we are also head over heels for this plant. And the better news is that the discount is valid throughout the whole month! You can choose between a cutie of a Frydek, the Baby Frydek. Not saying that the medium and XL version is any less cute; it's also a great new addition to your plant collection if you want a head start when it comes to growing your Frydek. We hope you will love your Frydek dearly!