About
Alocasia sarawakensis is a tender perennial that can reach heights of approximately 1.5 meters. It features upright, mottled stems and glossy green foliage, with leaves that can grow up to 90 centimeters in length and exhibit heart-shaped to arrow-shaped profiles, characterized by gently wavy margins. The undersides of the young leaves are covered in fine hairs. This plant infrequently produces a prominent cluster of white spathe flowers that are accented with red markings.
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
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Houseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants, Sub-tropical
- Native to
- Borneo
- 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, 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 12°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