{"product_id":"red-secret-alocasia-alocasia-cuprea","title":"Red Secret Alocasia - Alocasia cuprea","description":"\u003cp\u003eRed Secret Alocasia (\u003cem\u003eAlocasia cuprea\u003c\/em\u003e) comes from the rainforests of Borneo and carries quilted, heart-shaped leaves in metallic silver, green and copper, with plum purple undersides. Plants are listed at 30 to 45cm tall and 30cm wide, though the leaves can reach 60cm long. It is the alocasia for keen growers who want a showpiece and are happy to give it a warm, humid spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA metallic sheen.\u003c\/strong\u003e The quilted leaves shift between silver, green and copper depending on the light, a finish that is hard to find in other foliage plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlum undersides.\u003c\/strong\u003e Turn a leaf over and the underside is a deep plum purple.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge leaves.\u003c\/strong\u003e The leaves can grow up to 60cm long, so even one plant becomes a talking point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA true rainforest plant.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is a Borneo rainforest native and thrives in the warm, humid conditions it evolved in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShade tolerant.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dappled or filtered light suits it, and it will tolerate deep shade at a slower pace.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA warm, humid room.\u003c\/strong\u003e Indoors, give it a bright position without direct sun and the humidity of a bathroom or a well lit room that is not dry. Keep it away from cold draughts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShady tropical underplanting.\u003c\/strong\u003e In frost-free tropical gardens it suits a shaded bed beneath palms or large shrubs. Plant 40cm apart for a rich ground layer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Red Secret Alocasia in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dappled or filtered light is best. Outdoors it belongs in tropical gardens only, and elsewhere it is an indoor plant. Protect it from frost and cold draughts, and expect it to want warmth and humidity year round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining mix and plenty of warm, humid air. If you grow it in a pot, check the drainage holes. Indoors, stand the pot on a tray or mat that can handle moisture, because water can run off the leaf tips.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly for the first 12 weeks, then keep up light, regular watering with a daily spritz of rainwater. Feed with liquid fertiliser at half rate every four weeks. In the cooler months the foliage may die back as the plant rests, so skip feeding and heavy watering until new leaves develop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning and repotting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Trim off dead leaves at the base. Repot in spring if the plant is rootbound, and split off any young shoots then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Red Secret Alocasia as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small and takes time to build its first big leaves. Expect a quiet period after unpacking while it adjusts to your light and humidity, then new growth as the weather warms. The tubes come from our grower, who does not always have them. A sold out tube simply means none is available today, and the notify button on the page emails you the day stock is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/elephant-ears\"\u003eMore elephant ears and alocasias\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/indoor-exotic-plants-guide\"\u003eIndoor exotic plants guide: tropical foliage at home\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/house-indoor-plants\"\u003eHouse and indoor plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tropical-plants\"\u003eTropical plants for warm gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Red Secret Alocasia hard to grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBig-leaf tropical alocasias like this one can be fussy. It wants warmth, humidity, filtered light and a mix that drains well without drying out. Get those right and it repays the effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy is water dripping from the leaf tips?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is normal for this plant. Stand it on a tray or mat so the drips do no damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Red Secret Alocasia pet friendly?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Alocasias are toxic when eaten and the sap irritates skin, so grow it out of reach of pets and children and wash up after handling it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67789656457535,"sku":"ALO-CUP-tube","price":27.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/red-secret-alocasia-alocasia-cuprea.jpg?v=1792193570","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/red-secret-alocasia-alocasia-cuprea","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}