Alocasia (Alocasia wongii)

Product description

This is a very rare species from northern and eastern Borneo. There it grows in the lowland rainforest and then mostly in places where there is some sand in the soil. The unusual leaves are narrow and arrow-shaped, with the veins being slightly darker coloured than the rest of the leaf. The leaves can grow to about 50 cm and have mottled petioles with dark brown lines. The inflorescence often appears several at a time and grows to about 8 cm. The short spadix is coloured pinkish-white and is surrounded by a pinkish-green spathe. After pollination, the flowers are followed by orange-red fruits containing 1 seed.

The species can be kept as a houseplant. When doing so, make sure it has a light spot without direct sunlight, high humidity (or spray the leaves with water regularly) and well-drained, organic soil with some sand. 

Sowing description: The already germinated seed can further develop into Spaghnum moss. After formation of the first leaves, it can be repotted in an airy soil mixture with e.g. Spaghnum, peat, coconut fibre and/or other organic material.


Photo 1: Albert Kang
Photo 2: Kuan-Chieh (Chuck) Hung