Alocasia green and red Red Secret

Alocasia 'Red Secret', foliage that will leave you breathless

Alocasia 'Red Secret''s metallic foliage has long been a secret. If you want to add it to your collection, there's no need to go searching for it in the jungles of Borneo. The plant is a cultivar obtained from alocasia cuprea.

How to recognize Alocasia 'Red Secret'?

Alocasia 'Red Secret' is a perennial with abushy or upright habit. In the wild, it can reach heights of up to two meters, but in pots and indoors, it generally grows to no more than 60 centimeters.

The almost woody stems emerge from a rhizomatous stump.

Leaves stand at the end of long green or red petioles. They are heart-shaped, veined and slightly rough to the touch. Juvenile leaf blades are red. As adults, the upper surface is a very dark green, with red and violet highlights. The underside remains red. The color is more pronounced than that of the botanical Alocasia cuprea.

Alocasia 'Red Secret' flowers, even indoors. It develops a white spadix surrounded by a green spathe.

Alocasia cuprea 'Red Secret' is a toxic plant. The sap contains an irritating latex that causes respiratory problems if swallowed. It can also cause skin irritation if it comes into contact with the skin. Keep your plant out of reach of children and pets, and wear gloves when repotting.

Our maintenance tips

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

Watering

Alocasia 'Red Secret like to keep roots cool. Water when the substrate surface is dry (about one centimetre) with water at room temperature. Preferably use non-calcareous water, such as rainwater.

After watering, don 't let the water stagnate in the dish or pot, as it may rot the roots.

Spray

In its natural environment, alocasia 'Red Secret benefits from a high level of humidity. To reproduce its environment, mist the foliage with non-calcareous water at room temperature. Regular spraying also combats pest attacks.

Repotting

Every spring, repot your Alocasia cuprea ‘Red Secret’ to give it more space.

Soak the root ball of your Alocasia 'Red Secret in water at room temperature. Meanwhile, mix ordinary potting soil with river sand or perlite.

In a perforated pot, pour a bed of clay balls or gravel to promote drainage, followed by a layer of soil. Plant your Alocasia 'Red Secret in the center and top up with the rest of the substrate. Press down and water for the first time to ensure good root contact with the soil.

Fertilization

To promote the growth of your Alocasia cuprea ‘Red Secret’, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.

Give your Alocasia 'Red Secret a green plant fertilizer to support its growth.

Follow the instructions on the product! If you overdose, you could damage its foliage.

Cleaning

Dust on leaves interferes with photosynthesis. To make sure your Alocasia 'Red Secret gets all the available light, clean its foliage with a clean, damp cloth.

Caution! All parts of the plant are toxic. Wear gloves and wash your hands after touching the foliage.

Cutting

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

Locate a young shoot and carefully separate it from the mother plant. Take care to remove its roots without damaging the rest of the root system.

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 cuprea - Alocasia cuprea
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Half-shade
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting methods	In pots In tubs
Categories	Interior Herbaceous
Tags	Fritillary Soiffarde Toxic
Origin	Southeast Asia
Hardiness (USDA)	11b
Leaf color
Flower colors