Alocasia 'Ninja', a plant with contrasting foliage

A good ninja must be discreet. Apparently, Alocasia 'Ninja' didn't get the message. This cultivar of Alocasia reginula won't go unnoticed with its contrasting green leaves!

How to recognize Alocasia 'Ninja'?

Alocasia 'Ninja' is a perennial with a compact habit. Larger than alocasia 'Black Ninja it grows to 40-60 cm tall when grown in pots and indoors.

The green stems grow from an underground rhizome. Slightly woody, they almost form a trunk at the base.

The thick, heart-shaped leaves are more rounded than those of alocasia 'Black Velvet. They are supported by a long petiole. The dark-green upper surface is hemmed with a double line. It can be light green, white, cream or even silver, like the midrib and veins. On the reverse, the leaf blade is pale pink, with veins and veins standing out.

With the right care, you could see your Alocasia 'Ninja' bloom. The plant will develop a green spathe surrounding a white spadix.

The inflorescence then gives rise to the fruit: a round berry containing the seeds.

Alocasia 'Ninja' is toxic to humans and animals if touched or swallowed. Keep it out of reach of cats, dogs and turtles. Protect yourself by wearing gloves when pruning or repotting the plant.

Our maintenance tips

Alocasia 'Ninja are not plants to be placed in everyone's hands. They need light, rich soil, a little knowledge and a lot of attention.

Watering

In the wild alocasia 'Ninja benefit from high humidity. In pots, water when the surface of the substrate is dry, over a centimetre or so.

Water from the top with room-temperature rainwater. If you don't have any, you can use filtered water. Avoid mains water, which is often too hard.

Your Alocasia 'Ninja likes humidity, but hates having its roots immersed in water. After watering, empty any stagnant water from the cup or planter.

Spray

Your Alocasia 'Ninja is a tropical plant. It appreciates a high degree of humidity. To keep it happy, mist its foliage with non-calcareous water, such as rainwater or filtered water.

Fogging isn't just good for humidity. It also prevents pest attacks and cleans the leaves.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Alocasia reginula ‘Ninja’ to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

In a pierced pot, pour clay balls or small pebbles to optimize drainage. Then pour in a layer of ordinary potting soil enriched with a little perlite or river sand. Plant your Alocasia 'Ninja, fill in with substrate and tamp.

Water to eliminate air bubbles and improve contact between roots and soil.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Stimulate the growth of your Alocasia 'Ninja with green plant fertilizer.

Cleaning

Dust accumulating on the leaves slows down the photosynthesis process. To keep your Alocasia 'Ninja growing, clean the leaf blades with a damp sponge.

Remember that alocasia 'Ninja are toxic. Wear gloves or wash your hands after handling your plant.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Take the shoots that form at the base of your Alocasia 'Ninja. The larger they are, the greater the chances of success. Choose shoots with several leaves.

Cut off the new plant and its roots with a clean, sharp blade.

Prepare buckets with potting soil similar to that used for adult plants. Translucent pots are best. You'll be able to monitor root growth.

Place the bulbils on the surface, flat side down and pointed side up. Water and then place your bulbils in a greenhouse or transparent crate.

Diseases / Threats

Red spiders

Mealybug, accompanied by ants for its honeydew.

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Araceae - Araceae
Type	Alocasia - Alocasia
Species	Alocasia reginula - Alocasia reginula
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Half-shade
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting methods	In pots In tubs
Categories	Interior Rhizome Herbaceous
Tag	Toxic
Origin	Southeast Asia
Hardiness (USDA)	11b
Leaf color
Flower colors