Alocasia longiloba ‘Purple Prince’

Background of Alocasia longiloba ‘Purple Prince’

‘Purple Prince’ comes from the Alocasia longiloba group, which ranges from mainland Southeast Asia into the western and central Malay Archipelago. Wild plants grow in rainforest, damp ravines and shallow soil around boulders and cliffs.

These sites stay humid and receive regular rain, and water drains quickly through the rocky ground. Give the plant bright indirect light and a warm position indoors. Wait until the surface of its airy mix starts to dry before watering again.

Alocasia longiloba ‘Purple Prince’ care guide

• Light: Place it in bright filtered light, with optional gentle early-morning sun after acclimation. Intense direct sun can scorch both green and purple-toned tissue.
• Watering: Water when the top layer starts to dry and the substrate below still feels lightly moist. Soak the complete root ball and empty water from the outer pot after drainage.
• Humidity: Aim for relative humidity around 60–80% to support the long leaves as they expand.
• Airflow: Maintain gentle circulation around the bases of the leaf stalks.
• Temperature: Keep the plant at about 20–28°C and protect it from cold glass and draughts.
• Substrate: Use a rich, airy combination of coco fibre or peat, bark and pumice or perlite. This provides the roots with steady moisture and oxygen.
• Feeding: Apply a low-strength complete fertiliser during active growth and flush the substrate periodically.
• Growth pauses: Reduce watering and pause feeding during a clear resting phase, keeping the rhizome warm and lightly moist until growth resumes.
• Repotting: Match the pot closely to the roots and preserve the rhizome’s existing orientation. Keep any previously exposed section at the surface.
• Propagation: Divide a rooted offset, corm or viable rhizome section with its own growth point. Warmth, humidity and evenly controlled moisture support the new division.

When Alocasia longiloba ‘Purple Prince’ needs attention

• The latest leaf differs in size or outlineAlocasia longiloba can vary considerably from one leaf to the next. Give a fresh leaf time to harden before judging its final form. An evenly expanded, firm blade supports natural variation; scars, black specks, brittle patches or severe one-sided distortion call for a pest inspection.
• The plant droops although the root ball is moistCheck the roots before adding water. Remove soft, dark or easily stripped roots and repot the firm root system in fresh, aerated substrate. If the roots remain firm, review recent cold, heat or transport stress and check each petiole for a mechanical crease.
• Brown spots continue to enlargeIsolate the plant and keep the leaves dry. Remove a limited number of badly affected leaves with clean tools and disinfect the tools between cuts. Spots that keep multiplying, become water-soaked or move into the petiole need professional diagnosis, since fungal, bacterial and non-infectious injuries can overlap in appearance.

Alocasia longiloba ‘Purple Prince’ 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.

About the name Alocasia longiloba

Alocasia combines the Greek prefix a-, meaning “without” or “lacking”, with Colocasia, the name of a related aroid genus. Longiloba means “long-lobed”.

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.

Friedrich Anton Wilhelm Miquel first described Alocasia longiloba in 1856 in Flora van Nederlandsch Indië, volume 3, page 207.