Alocasia amazonica 'dwarf'

The Dwarf Alocasia Amazonica (Alocasia x amazonica dwarf form) is grown for its leaves and nothing else. Each one is a dark, almost black green arrowhead ribbed with bold white veins, held on a short upright stem, and the whole plant stops at about 40cm tall and wide. That compact size is what makes it work on a desk, a shelf or a bathroom windowsill where a full sized alocasia would not fit.

Why you'll love it

• Foliage with real contrast. Near black leaves with white veining and a slight sheen read as a design object rather than a houseplant.
• It stays small. At 40cm by 40cm it needs no floor space, so it suits apartments, desks and small bathrooms.
• It loves humidity. Steamy bathrooms and kitchens, which defeat most feature plants, are where this one looks its best.
• Easy to group. The upright habit means several plants sit together neatly on a shelf without tangling.

Where it works best

Indoors. This is primarily an indoor plant. Bright indirect light, warmth and humidity are what it wants, and a bathroom or kitchen usually supplies all three.

Pots and containers. A 200mm to 250mm pot is plenty at maturity. Grouping three in matching pots makes far more impact than one plant alone.

Balconies and courtyards. In tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens it can spend the warm months outside in deep shade, in a spot sheltered from wind.

Growing dwarf alocasia in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light indoors, or deep shade outdoors. Direct sun scorches the leaves quickly. It is frost tender and dislikes cold, so below about 15 degrees it slows right down and may drop leaves.

Soil. A light, free draining, organic potting mix in a pot with a working drainage hole. Adding perlite or fine bark helps, because the roots want air as well as moisture.

Water and feed. Keep the mix lightly moist through spring and summer, letting the top few centimetres dry between waterings, and ease right off in winter. Feed a half strength liquid fertiliser monthly through the growing season only.

Dormancy and pruning. Cut damaged leaves at the base. In cooler weather it may lose most of its leaves and rest; keep the mix barely damp and it will reshoot from the tuber in spring rather than needing replacement.

What to expect when it arrives

This plant is grown in one size, tube stock, and it is currently on backorder, so check the availability shown above before you order. A tube is a young plant with two or three leaves, ready to step up into a 150mm or 200mm pot, and it fills that pot within a season in warm weather.

Alocasia can sulk after transit and sometimes drops a leaf or two; that is normal and it recovers once settled. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read our elephant ear plant care guide, which covers the whole alocasia group.
• Browse the wider indoor plant range.
• Compare options in plants for balconies.

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. All alocasia are toxic to cats and dogs, and chewing a leaf causes mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting. Keep it well out of reach in a home with pets.

Why has it dropped all its leaves?

Usually cold or a natural winter rest rather than death. Keep the mix barely damp, hold off feeding, and it will push new leaves from the tuber when the weather warms.

Why are the leaf edges browning?

Dry air is the most common cause, followed by a mix that dried out completely. Group plants together, sit the pot on a pebble tray, and keep watering even through the growing season.