The bambino plant also known by its scientific name Alocasia amazonica ‘Bambino’ is a beautiful tropical plant perfect for adding a touch of the jungle to your home. This petite plant has arrowhead-shaped leaves in a deep green color with striking white veins that make it really stand out.
While bambino plants are quite easy to care for, following proper care guidelines will ensure your plant thrives and reaches its full potential. Read on for a complete bambino plant care guide covering light, water, humidity, temperature, soil, fertilizer, propagation, and more
Providing the Right Light for Your Bambino Plant
When it comes to bambino plant care, getting the lighting right is key. Bambino plants need bright, indirect light to grow well. Direct sun will scorch the leaves, causing unsightly brown spots or crispy edges.
The best spot is near an east or west-facing window where the plant gets plenty of gentle morning or late afternoon sun. Sheer curtains can help diffuse the light on very bright days. If you don’t have a good window spot, consider supplementing with a grow light.
Too little light will result in sparse, leggy growth. Make sure to turn the plant periodically so all sides get light exposure.
Watering Your Bambino Plant Properly
Establishing a proper watering routine is essential for a healthy bambino plant. These plants like moist, but not soggy soil. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings.
Use your finger to test the soil moisture before adding more water. Water until it runs from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Pour off any excess water so it doesn’t sit in the saucer and cause root rot.
In general, you’ll need to water a bambino plant once or twice a week in spring and summer and every 10-14 days in fall and winter when growth slows. Adjust as needed based on your environment, pot size, and soil mix.
Providing the Right Amount of Humidity
Bambino plants thrive in humidity levels of 60% or higher. In drier indoor air, the large leaves lose moisture easily. Low humidity leads to brown leaf tips and edges.
Use a humidifier or pebble tray to boost the humidity around your plant. Group plants together to create a tropical microclimate. Mist the leaves frequently to add moisture to the air.
In high humidity, watch for signs of fungal disease and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Proper air circulation is also important to prevent disease issues.
Caring for Bambino Plants: Ideal Temperature
Warm temperatures between 65-80°F suit the bambino plant best. Keep plants away from hot and cold drafts from heating and cooling vents which can shock the plant.
Move plants away from windows at night if chilly outdoor temperatures may drop the interior temperature drastically. Avoid placing bambino plants near appliances that give off heat like computers, tvs, or lamps.
If your home gets cooler than 65°F in winter, move the plant to the warmest room in your home or use a space heater to maintain temps.
Providing Proper Soil for Bambino Plants
A well-draining potting mix is essential for growing healthy bambino plants. Use a porous soilless mix containing compost, peat moss, perlite, orchid bark, and charcoal. This will provide moisture retention while allowing excess water to easily flow out the bottom.
You can make your own aroid mix by combining 2 parts peat moss, 2 parts perlite or bark, and 1 part charcoal or orchid bark. For mature plants, add some compost for nutrients.
Always use pots with drainage holes and avoid letting plants sit in water.
Fertilizing Recommendations for Bambino Plants
Like most houseplants, bambino plants need fertilizer to look their best. During the active growing season from spring through summer, feed plants monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
Good options include a 20-20-20, 10-10-10, or 15-15-15 fertilizer. You can also use an organic fish emulsion or compost tea.
Stop feeding over the fall and winter when light levels and temperatures drop. Resume fertilizing when new growth appears in spring.
How to Propagate a Bambino Plant
One of the best parts of growing bambino plants is how easily they propagate! You can produce new baby bambino plants from both rhizome divisions and stem cuttings.
For rhizome propagation, carefully divide the rootball and detach smaller sections that have some roots and growth buds attached. Replant in a small pot using well-draining soil. Keep evenly moist.
For stem cuttings, trim a healthy stem to 4-6 inches below a leaf node. Remove lower leaves and place in water or moist soil. New roots will sprout in a few weeks.
Common Pests and Diseases
Overall, bambino plants are less prone to pests than many houseplants. Mealybugs and spider mites may sometimes be a problem. Isolate and treat any infested plants promptly.
Overwatering is the most common cause of disease issues like root rot and fungal leaf spots. Allow soil to dry adequately between waterings and ensure the pot drains freely. Discard any plants with rampant disease.
Tips for Pruning Bambino Plants
Pruning isn’t essential but can help maintain an attractive shape. Trim off any dead or damaged leaves using sterilized scissors. Remove yellow leaves promptly to keep your plant looking fresh and prevent disease spread.
You can prune leggy stems back to just above a node to encourage bushier regrowth. Take stem cuttings from any trimmings to propagate new plants.
When to Repot a Bambino Plant
Repot bambino plants every 2-3 years in early spring, or whenever the roots fill the pot. Move up just 1-2” inches at a time to avoid stressing the plant with too large a pot.
Carefully remove from the old pot and loosen any circled roots. Add fresh potting mix amended with compost or worm castings to refresh nutrients. Water well after repotting.
Displaying Bambino Plants in Your Home
The compact size of the bambino plant makes it perfect for shelves, tabletops, and small plant stands. Use a decorative cachepot or basket to coordinate with your home’s style.
Group two or three bambino plants together for greater visual impact. Combine them with other tropicals like ferns, pilea, or peperomia.
Let the bambino plant trail over a bookshelf or hang one in a macrame hanger. Place one in your kitchen or bathroom for a burst of green.
Common Questions about Bambino Plant Care
How much light does a bambino plant need?
Bambino plants need bright, indirect sunlight for 4-6 hours per day. Direct sun will scorch the leaves. Insufficient light leads to sparse growth.
What temperature is best for bambino plants?
Daytime temps of 65-80°F and above 60°F at night suit the bambino plant best. Avoid cold drafts and hot blasts from vents.
Should I mist my bambino plant?
Misting provides temporary humidity but risks spreading disease. It’s better to use pebble trays and humidifiers to raise the ambient humidity around your plant.
Why are the edges of my bambino plant leaves turning brown?
Dry, crisp leaf edges are often caused by low humidity. Try increasing humidity around the plant by grouping with other plants, using a humidifier, and misting daily.
How do I fix leggy bambino plant growth?
Leggy growth results from insufficient light. Prune back any sparse stems and move the plant to a brighter location. Turn the plant periodically for even exposure.
Achieve Lush, Healthy Growth With These Bambino Plant Care Tips
With its stunning arrowhead leaves and compact size, the bambino plant is a wonderful addition to any indoor plant collection. Follow this bambino plant care guide to provide the light, water, humidity, soil, and other growing conditions these tropical plants need.
A little attention to your plant’s requirements will be rewarded with lush, vibrant growth. Propagate new bambino plants easily from cuttings and divisions to expand your collection. Proper care will keep these beauties thriving for many years as statement houseplants.
How to fertilize Alocasia ‘Bambino’
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plants nutrients, repot your Alocasia Bambino after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
Alocasia Bambino prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Alocasia Bambino may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home .
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
Alocasia Bambino prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.
Alocasia Bambino is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.
Alocasia Bambino is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.
It’s common for Alocasia Bambino to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
Alocasia Bambino is native to tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
Finding light for Alocasia ‘Bambino’ in your home
Alocasia Bambino may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves , without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Alocasia Bambino in your home .