Alocasia zebrina 'Aurea Variegata' - 6cm pot / 15cm+

Bright, indirect light and comfortable indoor warmth support active growth. Use an airy, freely draining mix. Keep the root ball lightly moist, letting the surface start drying before the next drink. Water thoroughly when needed and drain the pot. Humidity with gentle airflow helps; check the leaf undersides for pests. Feed at the label rate while actively growing, and reduce water as growth and drying slow.

Small plants dry at their own pace. Check the root ball regularly and protect new leaves from cold glass and draughts.

One live plant in a 6cm nursery pot. Minimum height 15cm, including the pot. Listed heights are minimums; your plant will usually be taller. Leaf count, colour and markings vary naturally. Decorative pot not included. This is a young plant; mature leaf shape and size develop with time and growing conditions.

Pet friendly: No — best kept away from pets that chew plants.

My kids have grown up around my plants, and I also share my home with two cats and three dogs. We’ve had no problems. For me, it’s about knowing your household: a pet that ignores the greenery is a different proposition from one that treats every leaf as a snack. My experience isn’t a guarantee for every home, so if yours likes a nibble, choose a verified non-toxic option such as Hoya carnosa.

Chewing the leaves or stems can irritate the mouth and cause drooling or an upset stomach. Keep it out of reach of curious children, and avoid getting sap in eyes or mouths. If you suspect your pet has eaten some, contact your vet for advice.

My house can dip to around 8°C in winter, and my established plants have coped well. That is my growing experience, not a guaranteed minimum for every plant. Give young plants and fresh arrivals a gentler start, and keep them away from cold draughts and cold, wet compost.

Cooler conditions and shorter days can slow an Alocasia down or trigger dormancy; there is no single temperature at which every plant switches off. Reduce watering as growth and water use slow, and pause feeding while dormant. Leaf loss does not automatically mean the corm has died.