Alocasia puncakborneensis

Natural habitat of Alocasia puncakborneensis

Alocasia puncakborneensis comes from the higher Penrissen Range in Sarawak. It grows in moist hill forest, either in soil on steep shaded slopes or directly on damp sandstone boulders.

The hill forest stays humid. Rain keeps the roots moist, and water drains quickly down the slopes and over the sandstone.

Growing Alocasia puncakborneensis

• Rhizome: The rhizome starts short and upright, then lengthens and may lie along the surface with age. Support it in its natural position instead of forcing it upright or burying it.
• Watering: Aim for steady moisture without permanent wetness. Let the mix dry a little between waterings, then water again before it dries all the way through. Water until excess runs from the drainage holes. Let the pot drain, then empty any water left in the saucer or cover pot.
• Potting mix: A rich, open houseplant mix that holds some moisture and drains freely is enough.
• Light: Give it bright shade or softly filtered light; avoid prolonged harsh sun.
• Temperature: Keep it around 18–26 °C and away from cold windows or draughts. Move it away from cooler spots before temperatures fall below 15 °C.
• Humidity: Alocasia does best with medium to high humidity. Keep it in a bright spot away from heaters and air-conditioning. If the air is dry, place it near other houseplants that like similar conditions, leaving space between the leaves, or use a clean humidifier.

Signs of trouble in Alocasia puncakborneensis

• The plant wilts while the mix remains wet: Stop watering and let the pot drain. If the wilt continues, unpot the plant and inspect the roots and rhizome. If you find soft or rotten tissue, use a disinfected blade to remove only the rotten tissue, stopping at firm, healthy tissue, and discard the removed material. 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.
• Dry pale or tan patches appear after a move to stronger light: Check whether direct sun or heat through the glass is reaching the damaged areas. Move the plant to bright, filtered light and protect it from harsh direct sun. Judge the change by new growth because scorched tissue will not recover.
• New leaves open with silvery feeding scars or black specks: Check the folds of fresh growth for thrips and 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.
• Fine pale stippling develops on the leaf surface, sometimes with delicate webbing: Check the leaf undersides and 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.

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 puncakborneensis: 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 puncakborneensis means

Puncakborneensis combines Malay puncak, “summit”, with Borneo and the place-forming ending -ensis, recording the Puncak Borneo locality. Sin Yeng Wong and Peter Charles Boyce first described Alocasia puncakborneensis in 2020 in Webbia, volume 75, page 112.