Light
Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux








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Quick Care Guide
Light
Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux
Watering
Water when ~20–35% dry
Substrate
Aerated • Moisture-buffered • Balanced organic + mineral • Medium
Temperature
Ideal: 21–28 °C • Avoid below: 15 °C
Humidity
Moist 50–60 %
Growth habit
Upright clumping herbaceous perennial.
Support
not needed
Growth speed
Average
Max size indoors
Max. height: 150 cm • Max. spread: 100 cm
Toxicity & safety
Toxic
Origin & habitat
Variegated form of Alocasia lauterbachiana; species native from northern New Guinea to Bismarck Archipelago
Outdoor growing
Outside from 15 °C · sheltered spot
These care values are quick reference points for indoor growing. Use them as a guide, then adjust for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.
For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.
Alocasia lauterbachiana variegata is the variegated Purple Sword Alocasia: long serrated leaves, purple undersides and irregular pale patterning across the upper surface. Cream, white, pale mint or yellowish sections break through the green blade, while the plant keeps the upright stem and narrow leaf shape of the green species.
Variegated Alocasia lauterbachiana shares the same species background as the green form: northern New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago. It grows in warm lowland rainforest near river edges and forest margins. Care is similar to the green form, with extra attention to pale tissue.
The leaves are long, pointed and serrated, with the widest part closer to the base and a narrow extension toward the tip. Variegation appears as streaks, sectors, mottling or irregular patches across the green upper surface. The underside remains purple to brown-purple, so both leaf surfaces show different colouring.
Pale areas contain little or no chlorophyll. They create the contrast, but they contribute less to growth than green tissue and mark more easily from heat, direct sun, hard-water residue and strong fertiliser. A healthy plant usually carries a mix of greener and paler leaves.
Each new leaf can look different. Some leaves open greener, some show stronger pale sections, and colours often sharpen as the blade hardens. A greener leaf still supports the stem and roots.
The plant may slow in darker months or after repotting. During slower growth, water less often and keep conditions warm. Repotting, division and stem cutting are safest once new leaves or roots are active.
Common issues:
Leave marked but green leaves on the plant when they still function. Cut only leaves that have fully yellowed or collapsed. Propagation is by division, offsets or stem sections during active growth.
This variegated Alocasia contains calcium oxalate crystals. Keep it away from pets and children that may nibble plant parts, especially during pruning or division. The word variegata describes the patterned leaves; lauterbachiana honours Karl Lauterbach.
Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.