About
Alocasia gageana is a tender perennial that can reach heights of about 1 meter. Its leaves are glossy and vary in shape from triangular to arrow-like, growing up to 60 centimeters in length. This plant may occasionally produce flowers in the form of white or pale pink spathes, often appearing in pairs or clusters of three.
About the genus
Alocasia consists of sturdy, evergreen perennials that develop rhizomes or tubers. They feature large, typically peltate leaves marked by prominent veins. While their flowers are somewhat inconspicuous, they can give rise to orange-red fruits.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1A
Plant details
- Plant type
- Houseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants, Sub-tropical
- Toxicity
- TOXIC if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow indoors in a peat-free houseplant compost with added perlite, in bright, filtered or indirect light. Water freely and apply a general liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks from spring to autumn. Provide high humidity by placing the container on a tray of moist gravel or pebbles. Reduce watering to a minimum in winter, and keep above 18°C. See Alocasia for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by division in spring or summer, or by stem cuttings in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free