Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Variegated'
Variegated Giant Taro
UK price
£5 to £25
Estimate
Price by size
- Sold, 90 days
- 0
- Middle half
- -
- Last sold
- -
- On record
- 0
Cutting/cormNone
7cmNone
12cmNone
MatureNone
- Sale
- Typical
- Middle half
- Estimate
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About Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Variegated'
Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Variegated' is a large-scale cultivar derived from the wild giant taro. This aroid has massive, sagittate leaves marked with sectors and marbling of white against deep green foliage. The species occurs naturally in the tropical rainforests and riparian zones of Asia, and this plant needs warm, humid conditions to thrive. It is sought by collectors for its large architectural structure and the high-contrast variegation pattern on each leaf.
Native range
Cultivated variegated form of Alocasia macrorrhizos, a species native from tropical Asia to the western Pacific.
Classification
- Genus
- Alocasia
- Family
- Araceae
- Type
- Variegated
- Growth habit
- Self-heading terrestrial
- Form of
- Alocasia macrorrhizos
Morphology
- Leaf shape
- SagittateArrowhead-shaped leaves, with pointed lobes at the base pointing downwards.
- Leaf length
- Large
- Leaf width
- Broad
- Petiole colour
- Green with variegation
- Venation
- Prominent
- Texture
- Leathery
- Variegation
- White sectors and marbling
- Growth habit
- Self-heading
Recent UK sales
No UK eBay sales recorded for this plant yet.
For sale in the UK
Before you buy
- The plain green species is inexpensive and widely available, so be wary of inflated prices for unnamed 'giant Alocasia' listings
- For 'Ivory Coast' or 'Variegated' forms, confirm the variegation pattern in photos matches the named form, as labelling is inconsistent in this group
- Check the corm/root ball is firm; this species is generally rot-resistant but still vulnerable in waterlogged substrate
- Factor in eventual size; this is one of the largest commonly available Alocasia species and will outgrow a small pot within a year or two
Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Variegated' care
- Substrate
- Rich, well-draining mix: 40% potting compost, 30% orchid bark, 20% perlite, 10% horticultural charcoal. Tolerant of denser mixes than most Alocasia given its vigour.
- Watering
- Water thoroughly when the top few centimetres of substrate dry out. This species is thirstier and more forgiving of consistent moisture than most jewel Alocasias; avoid letting it dry out completely for long.
- Humidity
- 50-70% for lush growth, though it tolerates average household humidity better than most Alocasia species.
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid fertiliser at full strength every 2-3 weeks during the growing season; this is a hungry, fast-growing plant.
- Repotting
- Annually while young, given its rapid growth rate; every 2 years once mature and sized to its final container.
Common problems
Yellowing lower leaves
Cause: Natural leaf turnover as the plant grows, older leaves are shed as new ones emerge
Fix: Remove spent leaves at the base; only investigate further if multiple leaves yellow at once
Reversion to green on variegated forms
Cause: Insufficient light causing the plant to favour chlorophyll-rich green tissue
Fix: Increase light levels and prune reverted all-green growth points to encourage variegated growth to dominate
Spider mites
Cause: Dry indoor air, especially over winter
Fix: Increase humidity and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil at first sign of stippling
Gear for this plant
- Flowers of Sulphur, 99.99% PurityDusted onto a fresh corm or rhizome cut to guard against rot before repotting.
- Precision Bonsai Pruning Scissors, 200mmFine-bladed snips for clean node cuts when taking a cutting.
- Digital Hygrometer & ThermometerLCD humidity and temperature gauge for checking a grow spot against a plant's target range.
How to propagate Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Variegated'
- Methods
- Rhizome division, Offset (corm/pup). Step-by-step guide
- Difficulty
- Easy. Forgiving of missed waterings, average home humidity, and imperfect light. A solid pick for beginners or low-fuss collections.
- Time to establish
- 2-3 months
- True from cuttings
- Yes. Cuttings keep the cultivar's character.
- Notes
- Mature plants readily produce basal offsets that can be divided once independently rooted. The plain species propagates vigorously and reliably; the variegated and Ivory Coast forms are markedly slower and more prone to reverting or stalling if divided too early.