Bambino Alocasia

Bambino Alocasia (Alocasia x amazonica 'Bambino') is a very dwarf alocasia, 30cm to 40cm tall and wide, with slender, rounded, arrow-shaped leaves on pink stems, purple undersides and bold white veins. It is a much smaller plant than the familiar Polly, and its leaf margins are smoother than other amazonica types. All alocasias are toxic if eaten, so keep it away from pets and children.

Why you'll love it

• High contrast leaves. Dark green blades, white veins, pink stems and purple undersides give it a dramatic look at any distance.
• Genuinely small. A true dwarf, it sits happily on a bedside table, a shelf or an office desk.
• Smoother margins. The slender leaves are much smoother on the edges than other amazonica alocasias.
• A great pot partner. It looks best in a brightly coloured pot that balances the dark foliage.
• Indoors or out. Grow it as a houseplant, or beneath larger plants in a tropical garden.

Where it works best

Bedside tables and desks. A small pot in bright, filtered light suits it, and the white veins catch the eye at close range.

Shaded tropical gardens. In frost free beds, plant 30cm apart beneath taller plants for a dark, patterned ground layer.

Covered patios. In a pot on a warm, shaded verandah, it brings a jewel-like accent to a sheltered corner.

Growing Bambino Alocasia in Australia

Position and climate. A shaded location with plenty of filtered light, or indirect sunlight. Protect it from frost, so garden planting suits tropical and subtropical areas, and elsewhere it belongs indoors.

Soil. Free draining soil is essential, so check that pots have good drainage.

Water and feed. Water regularly while it settles in, for about 12 weeks. Feed every four weeks with a liquid fertiliser at half strength. Indoors, light regular watering and a daily mist keep the leaves lush.

Pruning. Tidy it by removing old leaves. Leaves may die back in cooler months as the plant rests, so hold off feeding and heavy watering until new growth shows. If roots fill the pot, repot in spring, which is also the time to separate and pot up any young shoots.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Bambino Alocasia as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small and stays small, so it suits a table pot from the start. Keep it warm and in filtered light as it settles.

Availability of the tube depends on our grower, who does not always have stock. A sold out tube simply means none is ready, and the notify button on this page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Elephant ears and alocasias
• More indoor plants
• Tropical plants
• Elephant ear plants in Australia

Common questions

Is Bambino safe for pets?

No. Alocasias are toxic if eaten, so keep it out of reach of pets and children.

Why have the leaves died back?

In the cooler months the plant may go dormant and the foliage dies back. Avoid feeding and heavy watering until new leaves appear.

How big does it get?

Only 30cm to 40cm tall and wide. It is a very dwarf form, smaller than Polly, so it fits on a desk or bedside table.