Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’

Where the parent species of Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’ grow naturally

Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’ combines Alocasia odora with a form of Alocasia macrorrhizos. Both are plants of warm, rainy tropical regions; A. odora also occurs along riverbanks, in wetlands and among bamboo.

Growing Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’

• Space: ‘Imperial Red’ grows quickly and can make large leaves, so give it more room as it develops.
• Stability: Switch to a heavier pot before the plant becomes top-heavy.
• Repotting: If the pot suddenly starts drying much faster even though the light and temperature have not changed, check whether the roots have filled it before moving up a size.
• Light: Plenty of bright filtered light suits fast growth. Introduce stronger sun gradually.
• Watering: A well-rooted plant can use water quickly in warm, bright conditions. Rewater once the pot begins to dry instead of waiting until it is completely dry. Water until excess runs from the drainage holes. Let the pot drain, then empty any water left in the saucer or cover pot.
• Potting mix: Choose a fertile mix that stays loose even when the plant needs frequent watering.
• Temperature: Keep it around 18–28 °C and away from cold windows or draughts. Move it away from cooler spots before temperatures fall below 15 °C.
• Feeding: Feed regularly while growth is strong and reduce feeding if the plant clearly pauses.
• Humidity: Keep the air fairly humid while new leaves are opening.

Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’ troubleshooting

• The thick central base becomes soft or starts to wobble: Inspect the lower stem and roots promptly, particularly after prolonged wet conditions. Leave firm tissue untouched and remove only material that is clearly mushy or foul-smelling. If the damage reaches the roots, the root-rot guide explains the recovery process.
• A large bleached or brown patch develops on the window side: Sudden exposure to stronger direct sun is the first thing to consider. Move the plant back from intense midday light and get it used to stronger light gradually if you want to increase exposure. An otherwise healthy leaf can stay on the plant even though the scorched area itself will not recover.
• Older leaves take on fine pale speckles or bronze colouring: Look underneath them, especially alongside the main veins, for spider mites. Fine webbing or moving specks confirms the diagnosis. Keep the plant away from the rest of the collection while treating it, and follow our spider-mite guide for the complete treatment cycle.

Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’: toxic if chewed

• Pets: This Alocasia is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep the plant and any cut pieces where pets cannot chew them.
• Children and handling: Keep it out of reach of children. Sap from damaged tissue can irritate skin and eyes, so wash your hands after pruning and avoid touching your face.
• Why it irritates: Alocasia tissue contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing or contact with sensitive tissue can cause immediate local irritation.
• Possible symptoms: Mouth exposure can cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, nausea or vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
• After exposure: For a pet, contact a veterinarian. For a person, remove any plant material from the mouth and rinse with water; seek medical or poison-control advice if symptoms are significant. Breathing difficulty or rapidly increasing swelling needs urgent medical attention.

Names in the parentage of Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’

The parent names odora and macrorrhizos mean “fragrant” and “large-rooted”, respectively.