Alocasia portei
An enormous, rhizomatous,, upright growing species, native to the Philippines, where it grows in wet, humid forests. Plants can reach over 6m in height in habitat, with a stem up to 40cm in diameter at the base, although smaller when grown in containers in cultivation. It produces deeply indented, elongated, arrowhead-shaped leaves, which are dark green above, with pale green veins that can reach 1.5m long. The leaf stalks are up to 1.5m long and green, mottled with chocolate brown. Flowers consist of a pinkish-cream sheath-like spathe and a pinkish-cream spadix or column. If fertilised, the spadix is covered in bright orange berries. These are of secondary interest, however, to the plant’s spectacular foliage
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Brown Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream Pink | Brown Green | ||
| Autumn | Brown Green | Orange | ||
| Winter | Brown Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1ABotanical details
- Family
- Araceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant/allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant/allergen - For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- 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
- Philippines
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in an open, ericaceous, well-drained, but moisture-retentive mix, which can include, ericaceous peat-free compost, lava rock or pumice, fine fir bark and leafmould or chopped sphagnum moss, choosing a position in bright, but diffused light. These plants prefer growing in a year-round temperature, between 18-25C. During the growing season, allow the top 5cm of the compost to become just dry, before thoroughly watering the compost. Use clean rainwater at room temperature, if the tap water in your area is hard, to avoid turning the compost alkaline, which would eventually become toxic to the plant. Avoid plants sitting in water for long periods, which can cause the roots to rot. Apply a liquid houseplant fertiliser monthly during the growing season, April to September. Water may be required less frequently in winter, when growth slows right down, and stop feeding the plant until the spring. Repot every 2-3 years. See Alocasia and houseplant cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by division once clumps are produced, or by division of the rhizome, potting the sections up individually to root and grow on
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects, glasshouse red spider mite and mealy bugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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