Alocasia reginae

Natural range and habitat of Alocasia reginae

Alocasia reginae is native to Borneo, where it grows on the lowland rainforest floor in moist soil near limestone outcrops.

Care for Alocasia reginae

• Potting mix: Choose a rich, loose mix that holds some moisture without becoming heavy or soggy.
• Watering: Water when roughly the upper quarter to half of the mix feels dry, then water thoroughly until excess runs from the drainage holes. Let the pot drain and empty any water left in the saucer or cover pot.
• Humidity: Keep moisture in the air around 60–80%. Allow gentle circulation around new growth.
• Light: Filtered daylight or bright shade suits the foliage. Avoid long stretches of strong direct sun.
• Temperature: A steady 18–29 °C suits the plant; sustained temperatures below 15 °C are too cool. Protect the plant from cold windows and draughts.
• Feeding: Feed the plant lightly with a complete houseplant fertiliser while new leaves are developing, and reduce applications when growth slows.
• Propagation: New plants can be made from rooted offsets or firm corms removed from a mature plant and established warm.
• Repotting: Repot only when the roots are visibly crowding the current pot, choosing a container only slightly larger.

If Alocasia reginae is struggling

• The plant keeps losing leaves and no healthy new leaf replaces them: Two to four leaves at a time can be normal for this species; the concern is a steady downward trend. Check whether the growing point is firm and whether a new leaf is developing. If the roots and base are firm, keep light, warmth and watering steady rather than adding extra fertiliser. If the base or roots are soft, stop fertilising and address the root problem first.
• Leaves yellow while the pot stays wet: Stop watering and make sure excess water can drain freely. If yellowing continues, inspect the roots. If you find soft or rotten roots, use a disinfected blade to remove only the damaged tissue, keep firm healthy roots, discard the removed material and repot 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 base. Follow our root rot guide for the full recovery process.
• Fine pale stippling appears on the leaf surface, sometimes with webbing: Check the leaf undersides and 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, black specks or distortion: Check the unfurling leaf 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 reginae: 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 reginae means

Reginae is Latin for “of the queen”. The royal name accompanied the plant’s introduction at the 1884 horticultural exposition in Saint Petersburg.

Nicholas Edward Brown first described Alocasia reginae in 1884 in Gardeners’ Chronicle, new series, volume 21, page 711.