Alocasia princeps

Natural range and habitat of Alocasia princeps

Alocasia princeps grows across Borneo on rainforest slopes and ridges from the lowlands into the mountains. Its roots occupy well-drained ground over rock that can include basalt and limestone.

Care for Alocasia princeps

• Feeding: During active growth, use complete fertiliser at a measured rate; then pause or reduce feeding when growth loses momentum.
• Growth and space: For Alocasia princeps, allow for a clump up to about 180 cm high and 90 cm across, with enough open space for mature leaves to extend freely.
• Watering: Water once the potting mix has begun to dry while a little moisture still remains around the roots. Water until excess runs from the drainage holes, let the pot drain, then empty the saucer or cover pot.
• Potting mix: A rich, loose houseplant mix with good drainage and plenty of air space around the roots is enough.
• Light: Give it filtered daylight indoors. Acclimate the plant slowly if it will receive stronger direct sun.
• Temperature: Normal growth suits 18–29 °C. Prolonged temperatures below 15 °C are too cool.
• Humidity: Keep the room at roughly 60–80% relative humidity. Air should still move lightly around the plant.
• Repotting: Move it into a slightly wider container once roots or new shoots have filled the current pot.
• Propagation: For Alocasia princeps, use a well-rooted offset or a firm corm, potting the division separately and keeping it warm while roots establish.

Troubleshooting Alocasia princeps

• The plant droops while the root zone is still wet: Pause watering and allow excess moisture to drain away. If the plant continues to deteriorate, inspect the roots and rhizome. If you find soft or rotten tissue, use a disinfected blade to cut away only the rotten tissue back to firm, healthy tissue, discard the removed material and repot the plant in fresh, airy mix in a clean pot sized to the roots that remain. If you cannot clearly tell where rotten tissue ends and healthy tissue begins, stop cutting and send Foliage Factory clear photos of the roots and rhizome. Follow our root rot guide for the full recovery process.
• Fine pale stippling starts spreading over the leaves, sometimes with webbing: Inspect the leaf undersides carefully, including the main veins, for spider mites. Isolate the plant if mites are present and use a treatment labelled for spider mites and indoor ornamental plants. Repeat it only as directed on the label.
• Fresh leaves open with silvery scars or black specks: Check the unfurling leaves and inner folds for thrips or fresh black droppings. Isolate the plant if thrips are present and use a treatment labelled for thrips and indoor ornamental plants. Repeat it only as directed on the label.

If you're not sure what is causing the problem, or the plant keeps getting worse after you have corrected the likely cause, send us clear photos of the plant and the affected areas so we can help.

Alocasia princeps: 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.

What princeps means

Princeps is Latin for “first”, “chief” or “foremost”. William Bull first described Alocasia princeps in 1888 in Nursery Catalogue of William Bull, volume 242, page 7.