Repotting guide

When & how to repot Alocasia Macrorrhizos Giant Upright (Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Giant Upright')

Also called Giant Upright elephant ear, upright giant taro.

More about alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright

About Alocasia Macrorrhizos Giant Upright

Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Giant Upright' · also called Giant Upright elephant ear, upright giant taro · tropical

Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Giant Upright' is a statement elephant ear that holds enormous, glossy, ribbed leaves boldly skyward on tall sturdy stems. A fast, vigorous tropical, it wants warmth, bright indirect to filtered sun, rich moist soil and high humidity. Given heat and feeding it reaches dramatic size; cold, soggy roots cause rot and decline.

Mature size: 2-4 m tall in ideal conditions; individual leaves up to 1 m long.

Watch for — Root rot in cold, wet soil: The large rhizome rots when cold and waterlogged. Keep it warm, use a mix that drains, and cut watering back sharply over winter.

How to tell alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright, watch for these signs:

Thick roots out of the drainage holes, or circling the surface and lifting the plant.
The pot dries out unusually fast and alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright wilts between waterings it used to shrug off.
The plant is visibly top-heavy and tips over easily.
Stalled growth and small new leaves over a full season — though with a big specimen, top-dressing is often the better first response before a full repot.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright

Every 2–3 years; top-dress in the in-between years. Alocasia Macrorrhizos Giant Upright's growth habit — large, clumping rhizomatous perennial with a thick upright trunk-like stem holding enormous leaves aloft; matures into a bold architectural specimen and offsets at the base. — sets the pace. Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Giant Upright' is a statement elephant ear that holds enormous, glossy, ribbed leaves boldly skyward on tall sturdy stems. A fast, vigorous tropical, it wants warmth, bright indirect to filtered sun, rich moist soil and high humidity. Given heat and feeding it reaches dramatic size; cold, soggy roots cause rot and decline.

What size pot to step alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright up to

Move up exactly one pot size. A heavy alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright dropped into a vastly bigger pot sits in a reservoir of wet soil its roots cannot reach, which rots them and destabilises the plant. In the years between repots, lift off and replace the top 3–5 cm of soil (top-dressing) instead — it refreshes nutrients without the shock of a full repot.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright

Consider top-dressing first. If alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright is not badly root-bound, scrape off and replace the top 3–5 cm of soil instead — far less shock for a big plant that hates moving.
Get help and one size up. For a full repot, choose a pot just one size larger. A heavy plant needs two people and a stable, free-draining pot.
Ease it out on its side. Lay the plant down, slide the pot off, and gently loosen the outer roots. Do not bare-root a mature specimen.
Repot at the same depth. Add fresh rich, moisture-retentive, well-drained loam or aroid mix beneath and around the rootball, keeping the original soil line. Firm it so the trunk is stable and upright.
Water and leave it put. Water thoroughly, then leave alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright in the same spot and light — moving and repotting at once is what makes it drop leaves.

Aftercare

Leave alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright in exactly the same spot and light it was in before — moving and repotting at the same time is what makes a big specimen drop leaves. Water it in well, then let the top of the soil dry before watering again so the larger volume of fresh soil does not stay sodden. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright

Alocasia Macrorrhizos Giant Upright wants rich, moisture-retentive, well-drained loam or aroid mix. Use a fertile, humus-rich mix that holds moisture yet drains; add compost plus perlite or bark for structure. Heavy, fast-draining-but-poor soils limit its size and vigour. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright?

Every 2–3 years; top-dress in the in-between years for alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright. Fully repot alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright only every 2–3 years; in the in-between years just top-dress the top 3–5 cm of soil. Step up one pot size in spring with rich, moisture-retentive, well-drained loam or aroid mix. It is heavy and hates being moved, and a vastly oversized pot holds water against the roots and rots them.

What size pot does alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright need?

When is the best time of year to repot alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright?

Should you top-dress or fully repot alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright?

For a big, heavy alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright, top-dressing — replacing the top 3–5 cm of soil — is the gentler option most years, with a full repot only every 2–3 years. A mature specimen sulks and drops leaves when fully repotted, so do it as rarely as the roots allow.

Should you fertilise alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting alocasia macrorrhizos giant upright. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.