Alocasia ‘Chantrierii’

Where the parent species of Alocasia ‘Chantrierii’ grow naturally

Alocasia ‘Chantrierii’ is a hybrid of Alocasia cuprea and Alocasia sanderiana. A. cuprea grows on rocky Bornean rainforest slopes, and A. sanderiana comes from damp ravines on Mindanao. Both habitats are humid and shaded, with regular rain and quick drainage around rocks or sloping ground. Indoors, give the plant warmth, filtered light and an open mix kept evenly moist.

Alocasia ‘Chantrierii’ care essentials

• Light: Place it in bright, filtered light. Gradual acclimatisation protects the metallic leaf surface when the plant moves closer to stronger daylight or receives a more powerful grow light.
• Water: Keep the root zone consistently moist and aerated. Water as the surface starts drying, saturate the full root ball and let excess water drain promptly.
• Humidity: Maintain 65–80% relative humidity. The higher end is most useful as a new leaf emerges and expands.
• Temperature: Aim for 21–28°C in the air and 22–26°C around the roots. Stable warmth supports this hybrid’s active root system through periods of lower seasonal light.
• Substrate: Use an open, humus-rich mixture of coco or peat, fine bark and mineral aeration. A generous proportion of perlite or pumice keeps the mix porous around the roots.
• Feeding: Add complete fertiliser at the low end of the label rate to most waterings during active growth. Reduce the concentration when leaf production slows and flush the mix when mineral residue appears on the substrate or container.
• Repotting: Choose the pot from the root system, since the foliage can be much wider than the roots. Add around 20% fresh mix and retain the existing depth of the rhizome.
• Propagation: Divide an offset once it has an independent growing point and established roots. Mature small corms can be started separately in warm, evenly moist propagation material.
• Leaf care: Wipe the smooth blades gently with a soft cloth dampened with low-mineral water. This removes dust and residue and preserves the natural surface.

What to check when Alocasia ‘Chantrierii’ struggles

• Wavy margins or a malformed leaf: The naturally undulating edge should recur consistently around healthy leaves. A new blade that is asymmetrically buckled, notched or covered with silver scars deserves a thrips check, especially when tiny black specks are present. Compare with established leaves before changing care; the new-leaf guide provides further diagnostic cues.
• Metallic sheen becomes locally dull: A matte patch with fine pale stippling can be early spider-mite damage. Turn the leaf over and inspect beneath the affected area, along the veins and near the petiole. If mites are moving, move the plant away from nearby foliage and rinse accessible mites away. Reinspect the dull patch between applications and follow the product directions; webbing usually appears later. See the spider-mite guide for more identification details.
• Bleached or tan patches on the exposed side: Sudden direct sun can pale the tissue before it becomes dry and brown. Move the plant away from hot midday sun and retain bright filtered light. Introduce future increases in light gradually.
• Corky bumps beneath the leaf: Pale raised blisters that later harden into brown patches are consistent with oedema. Match the next watering to the moisture still present in the root ball, empty the saucer, check that water drains freely and increase air movement. The damaged area stays visible; clean new foliage shows that conditions have improved.

Alocasia ‘Chantrierii’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

What do the names Alocasia and ‘Chantrierii’ mean?

Alocasia combines the Greek prefix a-, meaning “without” or “lacking”, with Colocasia, the name of a related aroid genus. ‘Chantrierii’ commemorates Adolphe and Ernest Chantrier, who raised the hybrid at their nursery in Mortefontaine, France.

The formal botanical citation is Alocasia (Schott) G.Don. George Don established the genus at that rank in 1839 in Hortus Britannicus, edition 3, page 631.