Alocasia ‘Jacklyn’

Cultivated form and natural range of Alocasia ‘Jacklyn’

‘Jacklyn’ is a cultivar of Alocasia tandurusa, a species native to wet lower mountain forest in northern Sulawesi. It grows on the humid forest floor, sheltered by the canopy and supplied with regular moisture.

Growing Alocasia ‘Jacklyn’

Temperature: For steady growth, hold temperatures near 18–27 °C. Use a warmer position if a spot regularly stays below 15 °C.

Humidity: Conditions around 60–80% are suitable where practical. Let the foliage sit in mildly circulating air, during routine care.

Feeding: While Alocasia ‘Jacklyn’ is pushing new foliage, use a complete fertiliser at a restrained rate; reduce feeding when leaf production slows.

Light: Open shade or bright filtered light suits ‘Jacklyn’.

Watering: While the plant is growing, let the mix dry a little between waterings. Water again before the rhizome and roots dry out. Give the roots a thorough soak, followed by full drainage before the pot is returned to its outer container.

Potting mix: Around the rhizome, choose a loose, rich mix that does not stay dense after watering.

Space: Leave enough room around the sides for the divided leaves and keep them out of busy walkways.

Repotting: Increase pot width only after roots or new shoots have occupied the available space around the plant.

Rhizome: The short rhizome is usually curved and can carry small tubercles, or bud-like growths. Keep it stable near its natural level during potting and repotting.

Propagation: Use a well-rooted basal shoot for propagation, keeping its roots intact during separation.

Common problems on Alocasia ‘Jacklyn’

• Fine pale speckles or bronze colouring starts spreading across the leaf surface: Inspect the undersides and main veins for spider mites. Natural hairs, dark veins and a deeply cut outline belong to ‘Jacklyn’; new speckling, webbing or moving mites do not. Isolate the plant if mites are present and use our spider-mite guide for treatment.
• A newly opened leaf carries silver feeding scars and tiny black specks: Do not judge the leaf by its irregular lobes, which are normal for ‘Jacklyn’. Instead, look for thrips themselves or for the combination of surface scarring and black specks. Move an affected plant away from the rest of the collection and use a treatment labelled for thrips on indoor ornamental plants, repeating it according to the label.
• The tips and narrow lobe edges dry to brown: Repeated dry spells, hot indoor air or exposure to a strong draught are the main conditions to rule out. Aim for a steadier moisture supply and more stable air around the plant. The existing crispy tissue will remain, and saturating the root zone will only introduce a separate risk.

Alocasia ‘Jacklyn’: 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.

How ‘Jacklin’ became ‘Jacklyn’

Tandurusa Latinises the Indonesian tanduk rusa, “deer antlers”, for the deeply divided leaves. Enjie Jacklin of Gorontalo popularised the plant online as ‘Jacklin’; the later spelling ‘Jacklyn’ became widespread in trade.

Aditya Prameswara and Alistair Hay described the plant as Alocasia tandurusa in 2023 in Aroideana, volume 46(2), page 388.