Alocasia 'Mandalay' Ø7cm

Alocasia 'Mandalay' is a jewel Alocasia with thick, deep green almost black leaves furrowed by glossy silver veins. Each new leaf unfurls slowly, like a work of art carved from living matter. It prefers filtered light, constant warmth and an airy aroid substrate. A dramatic, elegant presence for the collector seeking concentrated elegance in a small pot. Care instructions The secret to a healthy 'Mandalay' lies in stability: this plant thrives when conditions stay constant and reacts by dropping leaves to sudden changes. Once you have given it the right spot - good light, warmth and humidity - the best thing you can do is not move it. Place it alongside other collector's alocasias, such as Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek Variegata' or the spectacular Alocasia 'Silver Dragon', and you will create a miniature jungle corner. For inspiration and close relatives, explore the whole collection of Alocasia available at Eufloria. Light: strong but filtered light. An east-facing window, or a few steps from a south window behind a thin curtain, is ideal. Direct midday sun scorches the leaves, while darkness fades them and stretches the petiole. Temperature: between 18 and 27°C. The plant thrives best in constant warmth and becomes sensitive below 15°C; keep it away from cold draughts and frosty windows in winter. Watering: keep the substrate lightly moist but never soaked. Water when the top two or three centimetres of soil have dried, preferably using room-temperature water. Excess water in the tray is the main cause of rhizome rot. Humidity: high, ideally above 60%. A humid corner alongside other plants, a humidifier or a tray of pebbles and water keeps the leaves flawless. Dry air causes brown margins. Substrate: very airy and free-draining - an aroid mix with pine bark, perlite, coconut fibre and a little charcoal recreates the loose soil of the tropical forest. Feeding: during the growing season, in spring and summer, apply a balanced fertiliser diluted to half strength every two to four weeks. In winter, suspend feeding. Propagation: by division of the rhizome at repotting or by separating the cormels. Plant them in a warm, moist substrate and be patient - they can take several weeks to start. With these few attentions, 'Mandalay' becomes a faithful companion, renewing its dark foliage season after season and rewarding your patience with one of the most elegant plant presences you can bring into the home. Specifications Pot diameter: 7 cm