If an arrow leaf blooms as a houseplant, you have done everything right in terms of care. The flip side of the coin is that an Alocasia flower stinks to high heaven. This guide reveals what you can do about the bad smell.
How to remove smell from smelly Alocasia flowers?
To eliminate the unpleasant smell of smelly Alocasia flowers, you should cut off the flower and dispose of it or place the plant and flower in a well-ventilated place, such as the balcony at temperatures above 15° Celsius.
What can I do if an Alocasia flower stinks?
If a flowering Alocasia stinks, you should remove theflowerAlternatively, you can place the elephant ear and the smelly flower on the balcony, provided the temperatures do not fall below 15° Celsius. Cleaning out is a sensible option if you pollinate the flowers of an Alocasia to obtain seeds for sowing and do not tolerate the smell in living spaces.
How do I properly remove a smelly Alocasia flower?
The best way to remove a smelly Alocasia flower is to cut off the inflorescenceAn Alocasia flower consists of a single bract and spadix perched on a leafless inflorescence stem. Because the stem can also stink, it should also be removed. How to do it right:
- Put on gloves to protect yourself from the toxic latex.
- Cut off the inflorescence at the end of the stem using disinfected bypass secateurs (€9.00 on Amazon) or a sharp knife.
- Due to the toxic ingredients, dispose of flowers and stems in organic waste and not in the compost.
Why do Alocasia flowers stink?
An Alocasia flower smells of mold, rot and urine because this smell attracts pollinatinginsects The arrow leaf is one of the monoecious, separate-sex arum plants (Araceae). For this reason, alocasia cannot pollinate itself because male and female flowers are on separate plants. In order to transport pollen for fertilization, an alocasia in its tropical home regions depends on insects that find the musty smell irresistible.
Tip
Smelly alocasia without flowers suffers from root rot
If alocasias give off an unpleasant smell without inflorescences, you should take a close look at the root ball. Watering too frequently causes waterlogging. If excess irrigation water cannot drain away, the roots will rot in the substrate that is far too wet. The dilemma is noticeable in a foul smell and mold formation. By repotting the stinky arrow leaf, you can save the Alocasia and eliminate the smell.
