Alocasia 'Lukiwan' (alba × sinuata)

Parentage and origin of Alocasia 'Lukiwan' (alba × sinuata)

The parents of Alocasia ‘Lukiwan’ come from different parts of Southeast Asia. Alocasia alba grows in Indonesian forest, along forest edges and beside rivers in sandy or stony ground; Alocasia sinuata comes from the Philippines, where its exact habitat is unknown.

Care for Alocasia ‘Lukiwan’ (alba × sinuata)

• Potting mix: Use a fertile mix that retains some moisture and drains freely.
• Watering: Let the pot dry a little after each watering, then water again before the mix dries all the way through. Give an even soak, allow surplus water to leave the container and keep the base out of standing water.
• Light: Give ‘Lukiwan’ plenty of filtered light. Mild direct sun can be introduced gradually, but avoid prolonged hot exposure.
• Humidity: A level near 60–80% works well where practical. Maintain a soft flow of air around the leaves, during routine care. Fresh leaves appreciate more humid air, so avoid very dry conditions while they are opening.
• Temperature: ‘Lukiwan’ grows steadily at about 18–28 °C. Keep it clear of cold spots once temperatures approach sustained levels below 15 °C.
• Feeding: While ‘Lukiwan’ is developing new foliage, feed at low to moderate strength with a complete houseplant fertiliser. Cut back or pause when growth slows.
• Repotting: Increase the pot width slightly when roots or shoots around ‘Lukiwan’ have used the available space.
• Propagation: Separate an established offset once it has rooted, retaining those roots during division. Pot the separated offset individually and keep it warm until new root and leaf growth is visible.

Problems to watch for with Alocasia ‘Lukiwan’

• Leaves yellow and the plant droops while the potting mix is still wet: Do not give it more water just because the leaves look thirsty. Let the pot drain, then inspect the roots and base if the plant keeps weakening. Soft or foul-smelling tissue points to rot rather than thirst. Our root-rot guide explains how to proceed if you find decay.
• Broad faded or tan patches appear on the leaves: Think about whether stronger direct sun has started reaching the plant recently. Its thick, bumpy leaves can still scorch when the change is too sudden. Return it to bright filtered light and introduce any stronger sun more gradually.
• A new leaf opens with rough silver scars and tiny black dots: The usual bumpy texture should look consistent with the rest of the leaf. Fresh scraped-looking marks with black specks are different and can point to thrips. Check the folded new growth. If thrips are there, isolate ‘Lukiwan’ and use a treatment labelled for thrips on indoor ornamental plants, repeating it according to the label. The thrips guide explains what to do next.

Alocasia ‘Lukiwan’ (alba × sinuata): 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 ‘Lukiwan’ got its name

Wawan Santoso formed ‘Lukiwan’ from Luki, taken from his wife Luki Ani, and wan from Wawan.

‘Lukiwan’ is the hybrid Alocasia alba × Alocasia sinuata. Alba is Latin for “white”; Heinrich Wilhelm Schott described Alocasia alba in 1852 in Österreichisches Botanisches Wochenblatt, volume 2, page 59. Sinuata means “sinuous”, “curved” or “wavy”; Nicholas Edward Brown described Alocasia sinuata in 1885 in Gardeners’ Chronicle, new series, volume 24, page 678.