Alocasia

Most Alocasia go through a semi-dormant period over the darker months, especially under UK indoor light levels, and will often shed one or more leaves before resuming growth in spring. This is expected and not necessarily a sign of root or care problems.

An informal collector term for small, dark-leafed Alocasia species (under roughly 30cm), such as A. reginula and A. azlanii, as distinct from the genus's large-leaved giants like A. macrorrhizos and A. portei.

Generally yes: the white or cream sectors lack chlorophyll, so a variegated leaf photosynthesises less per unit area than an equivalent plain leaf, and the plant is more prone to stress-related leaf loss and reversion.

Alocasia grow from an underground corm, and dormant or leafless corms are sometimes sold separately from rooted, leafed specimens; a corm is cheaper but carries more risk of failing to sprout than an established plant.