Alocasia reginula 'Pink Variegated'

Where Alocasia reginula ‘Pink Variegated’ comes from

‘Pink Variegated’ is a colour form of Alocasia reginula. The species is believed to originate on Borneo, although its exact habitat there is unknown. Indoors, provide warmth, humid air and bright indirect light. Keep the small root system lightly moist in a fine, airy mix.

Care and cultivation of Alocasia reginula ‘Pink Variegated’

• Light: Place the plant in bright, filtered light to support its green leaf tissue. The active growing point determines the distribution of pink and pale areas in each developing leaf.
• Watering: Water when the surface starts to dry. Moisten the root ball evenly and allow excess water to escape.
• Humidity: Maintain 60–80% humidity. Stable humidity supports delicate new foliage as it unfolds.
• Temperature: Provide steady warmth and protect the plant from cold draughts and rapid temperature changes.
• Substrate: Use a compact pot with coir-based potting mix, small bark and perlite or pumice. The airy structure suits its relatively small root system.
• Feeding: Apply a dilute complete fertiliser during active growth. Match the frequency to the plant’s current growth rate.
• Variegated growth: Retain healthy leaves containing green tissue. Handle pale and pink areas carefully because cosmetic damage is more visible on them.
• Repotting: Repot when roots fill most of the container or the mixture has started to deteriorate. Use a pot one size larger and preserve the existing rhizome depth.
• Propagation: Propagate from rooted offsets, cormels or rhizome divisions with a viable growth point. Evaluate the balance of green tissue once the propagule begins producing leaves.

Problems with pink-variegated growth in Alocasia reginula ‘Pink Variegated’

• Pink tones shift as a leaf hardens: Pigment intensity can change with leaf age and conditions. Texture, firmness and stable patterned growth are better health signals than one temporary shade. The coloured-variegation guide explains pigment changes.
• Pink or cream sections develop dry brown patches: Pale tissue can scorch under direct sun and can brown after severe moisture swings. Move the plant to stable, bright filtered light, rewet a dry root ball evenly and allow excess water to drain. Assess the next leaf for improvement.
• A new leaf carries little pink: Judge several successive leaves before calling it a lasting change in pattern. Stable care gives the growth point the clearest chance to show its continuing colour, which is determined by the underlying tissue.
• Yellowing, wilting and a soft base occur together: Inspect for root or corm rot. Cut away soft brown areas and pot the healthy portion of the corm with its remaining roots in an aerated medium. Follow the root rot guide.

Alocasia reginula ‘Pink Variegated’ 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.

How the name Alocasia reginula came about

Alocasia combines the Greek prefix a-, meaning “without” or “lacking”, with Colocasia, the name of a related aroid genus. Latin regina means “queen”; its diminutive reginula translates as “little queen”.

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.

Alistair Hay first described Alocasia reginula in 1998 in Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore, volume 50, page 258.