Alocasia reginula
Alocasia reginula · Araceae
📷 Forest & Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around alocasia reginula and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Alocasia Reginula, Alocasia Royal Queen
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- Spring (flowers not particularly ornamental)
- Adult size
- 30 to 50 cm tall
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Tropical plant, min. 15°C
- Origin
- Philippines, humid forests
- Soil type
- Rich, draining, slightly acidic
Care
Watering
Water generously during growth (spring-summer) keeping the substrate moist but never waterlogged. Reduce watering in fall-winter. Use soft water at room temperature: Alocasia hates lime and cold. Mist the foliage regularly to recreate tropical humidity.
Light and exposure
Place it in bright, indirect light, away from direct rays that scorch the leaves. It tolerates partial shade, but growth will suffer. Avoid cold drafts and overly dry environments: it prefers a heated, humid room, like a bright bathroom.
Potting mix and drainage
Use a light, draining substrate made up of leaf mold, peat or coco, and perlite (approximately 50% each). Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot. Repot every 2 years in April-May.
Fertilizer
Fertilize once a month during growth (April to September) with diluted indoor plant fertilizer. In winter, stop completely: the plant enters dormancy. Favor a feed rich in potassium to enhance the velvety black foliage.
Pruning and cleaning
No structural pruning needed: Alocasia Reginula naturally maintains its compact form. Gently wipe the foliage with a damp cloth once a month to promote photosynthesis. Remove yellowed or damaged leaves at the base of the petiole.
Pests and diseases
Watch for spider mites and mealybugs in dry air. Spray regularly to prevent. Root rot is the main enemy: always monitor substrate moisture. Yellowing leaves often signal overwatering or insufficient light.
Did you know?
Alocasia Reginula earns its "Queen" nickname thanks to its leaves of profoundly velvety black, almost midnight blue, which contrasts beautifully with silvery white veins. Native to tropical forests in the Philippines, it naturally grows in humid, shaded understory, which explains why it refuses direct sun in your home.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Calla lilyZantedeschia aethiopica
- TaroColocasia esculenta
- Giant taroAlocasia macrorrhizos
- Tree PhilodendronThaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum
- ZZ plantZamioculcas zamiifolia
- Anthurium roseumAnthurium roseum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.