Alocasia sarawakensis
A tender perennial, up to around 1.5m high, with upright, speckled stems and heart-shaped to arrow-shaped, glossy green leaves to 90cm long, with lightly wavy edges. Young leaves are hairy on the undersides. Rarely produces a large central cluster of white spathe flowers with red markings
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Araceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- TOXIC if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Alocasia are robust evergreen rhizomatous or tuberous perennials with large, usually peltate, leaves with conspicuous veins; insignificant flowering spathes may be followed by orange-red fruits
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Borneo
How to grow
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
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring or summer, or by stem cuttings in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.