An easy-to-care-for, medium-sized Alocasia that is very suitable as a houseplant

The compact plant reaches a maximum of about 100 centimeters in both height and width, with leathery leaves approximately 40 centimeters long. The leaves are olive green and glossy on the upper side, red to purple on the underside, forming a beautiful contrast against the light green petioles.

The variegated form 'Aurea' has scattered variegation, giving the plant a magnificent appearance.

Botanical description

Alocasia wentii is named after the Dutch botanist Frits Went and is known only from three collections in mid-to-upper montane rainforests from Mt Hellwig in West Irian and from the Hindenburg Range and Star Mountains in Papua New Guinea. The species grows epiphytically on medium-sized trees in evergreen forests in high, wet mountainous areas at approximately 1560 meters above sea level.

The species is closely related to the much larger and variable Alocasia nicolsonii, which is evident from the shape of the spathe and the structure of the spadix.

However, the originally described Alocasia wentii differs from the plant currently sold as Alocasia wentii, which has since been identified as Alocasia 'Uhinkii', a hybrid from 1897.

Climate data from natural habitat: Humidity moderate year-round (60-70%), temperatures vary seasonally from 9°C to 31°C during the day with a minimum night never below 7°C. Rainy and humid season October-May, dry season June-October with annual average rainfall of 1200 mm.

Care

Thrives in partial shade to shade, as in the rainforest undergrowth. Keep the soil evenly moist but well-drained. Suitable substrate is our peat-free soil. Ideal temperature 18-26°C, tolerates cooler nights down to 10°C.

Requires moderate humidity (60-70%). Fertilize monthly during the growing season. Repot every two years in the spring. Buy Alocasia wentii aurea online!