Alocasia sarawakensis

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Alocasia sarawakensis?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Houseplants Conservatory Greenhouse

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

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Araceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Clump forming
Potentially harmful
TOXIC if eatenskin/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
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