Alocasia Maharani, commonly known as the ‘Grey Dragon’, is a rare but delightful dwarf type of ‘jewel’ originating from South East Asia.
It is a hybrid species that displays thick silvery green leaves that are rough to the touch and quite leathery. The plant will generally grow to around 12” in height.
It is a monocot plant of the Arum genus that bears its flowers on a cluster or ‘inflorescence’ called a spadix which produces small flowers on a single stem.
Alocasia Maharani is usually grown for its unique foliage and flowering cannot be relied upon. If it does flower, this generally happens in early spring. Alocasia Maharani flowers come in an off-white color.
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Alocasia Maharani care
Alocasia Maharan requires lots of bright indirect sunlight to grow well. It loves high humidity of around 60°F – 80°F (16-27 °C) but does not cope well with excess moisture. It is a heat-loving plant and prefers temperatures between 54°F and 80°F (12-27 °C). The growing medium for Alocasia Maharani should be rich and well-draining, and good airflow is essential to prevent water from sitting on its leaves or in its crevices. Fertilizing is not essential but will help your plant to thrive and is recommended if you want flowers or intend to propagate from seed. Propagation by division is simple and is by far the fastest method of growing your Alocasia Maharani collection.
Alocasia Maharani Care Guide
Where to grow your Alocasia Maharani
Alocasia’s natural habitat is the floor of a rainforest where it receives lots of bright, indirect sunlight.
Thus, when choosing where to position your Alocasia Maharani, you should try to replicate this to give your chance the best chance of success.
A location near a well-lit window but away from the direct sunlight, which will cause the leaves of your plant to suffer from sunburn, is ideal. Alternatively, find an area with soft artificial lighting.
Alocasia Maharani is ideal for terrariums or a vivarium.
Watering
Alocasia Maharani likes to live in areas with moist conditions. So, you shouldn’t allow the soil to dry out completely.
During spring and summer, your plant will probably require around 2-3 inches of water per week.
Too much water can cause its roots to rot, so check the soil’s moisture level first before watering. If the top 2 inches of soil are dry, you should add enough water to make them damp but not sodden.
As always, err on the side of caution when applying water. You can always add more if necessary, but undoing the damage caused by excess watering can be very difficult.
Alocasia Maharani goes through a period of dormancy during winter so you may not need to water it all.
However, central heating can cause the soil to dry out so do keep an eye on the moisture level of the soil and add a little water if necessary.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for your Alocasia Maharani is between 54°F and 80°F (12-27 °C). If the temperature falls below 50°F and your plant is kept outside, you should bring it in.
If kept indoors, your room temperature will most likely be within the desired range but if your plant is kept in a rarely-used room where the temperature may dip below ideal, consider repositioning it.
You’ll help care for your plant and be able to enjoy its interesting foliage.
Humidity
Alocasia Maharani likes high humidity of around 80° and is ideally suited to terrariums. It is also a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms as these rooms produce plenty of steam.
A spot by a frosted glass window where it will benefit from humidity without being exposed to direct sunlight is perfect for this plant.
It will adapt to the humidity levels within its growing zone but where levels fall below 60° (12°C) it can struggle. If humidity does fall below this level, you can mist the plant occasionally, but be wary.
Moisture sitting on the foliage or in crevices can lead to mold or fungal diseases so if you mist your plant, be sure to check it over a couple of hours later and dry off any remaining moisture.
Fertilizer
Alocasia Maharani likes rich, well-draining soil. It is a heavy feeder and requires regular fertilizing throughout the growing season.
If you want your plant to bloom and produce flowers, fertilizing with a general houseplant feed is recommended.
Even if you are satisfied with the foliage and don’t expect or want your plant to bloom, fertilizer will help keep it healthy by providing the right level of nutrients.
Plants kept in pots have a finite amount of soil to live in and each time the plant takes up nutrients or you water it, a little is lost.
If you don’t replace this, the soil condition will get gradually worse and your plant will suffer.
Air circulation
Alocasia Maharani likes humidity so good air circulation is essential to prevent excess moisture from damaging the plant. If placed near an open window, the flow of fresh air should be sufficient to keep air circulating.
If placed elsewhere in the home, a fan may be required occasionally to add a little artificial air circulation and help keep your plant in top condition.
Propagation
Alocasia Maharani can be propagated from pups or from seeds.
You can carry out the propagation process as soon as the plant has ceased to be dormant. Ideally, early spring to midsummer is the recommended time.
If you repot your plants annually, this is the ideal time to propagate.
When propagating from pups or ‘by division’ make sure you choose healthy, thriving plants. If propagating as part of your repotting process, remove the plant from its pot and remove any excess soil.
If you are just removing pups, just remove the upper soil so you can get a good grip of the pups and remove them without causing damage.
Pups can be gently separated from their parent plant using just your fingers. Be sure to remove the roots along with each pup.
The number of pups available from the parent plant will vary depending on the size and overall health of it but you should expect to get at least 2-5 pups from each.
The parent plant can now be added to its new pot if necessary.
Each pup should be placed in a pot containing moist soil or a soilless growing medium. You should keep the soil or growing medium moist but ensure that it drains well.
Avoid overwatering. The roots are delicate at this stage and too much moisture can cause them to rot.
Your immature plants should be placed in bright indirect sunlight.
When selecting their position, keep in mind that it will take approximately 3-4 months for them to establish themselves. With this in mind, you will want to keep them in a stable environment to allow them to adapt to their surroundings.
It is recommended, therefore, that you treat this initial position as one for the long term rather than just placing them anywhere in the hope of them becoming established quickly and then being moved.
Of course, if the pups look like they are not thriving, relocating them may be something you need to consider.
Once your new plants are established, they can be cared for in the same way as you look after your mature Alocasia Maharani.
You may read that Alocasia Maharani pups can also be propagated in water, but this is not recommended as they get too much water, not enough oxygen, and are prone to diseases.
Propagating from seed is a less popular option. You will only be able to propagate from seed if your plant produces a flower and this process takes much longer than propagation by division.
Once the seed pod has been produced, wait for it to mature and dry out. If you observe this happening, you can remove the seeds easily.
Before sowing the seeds you will need to give them a thorough soaking. They can then be placed into their growing medium and covered over. Always keep the soil or growing medium moist and warm.
It can take up to 3 months for the seedlings to appear. Once they start to come through, the pots or tray that they are in should be placed in indirect sunlight.
The plants should remain there until large enough to handle. They can then be transferred to their new pot.
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Common problems for Alocasia Maharani
Fungal infections
Alocasia Maharani is susceptible to fungal infections and root rot if its growing medium does not drain well. Don’t overwater, and do make sure the pot your plant is in has plenty of drainage.
If your plant is suffering from root rot, you will need to remove any mushy black roots completely and repot it. Soilless mediums are recommended for plants recovering from root rot.
To treat fungal infections, remove infected parts of the plant and use a standard fungicide to treat any spores that you cannot see.
Spider mite infestation
Alocasia Maharani is also prone to spider mite infestations. You can avoid infestations by regularly examining the underside of the leaves as part of your routine maintenance regime and dusting them.
If you spot an infestation, you must immediately isolate infected plants from the rest. The leaves and stems can be washed in warm, soapy water and then dried.
Spider mites love dry conditions so you will need to raise the humidity levels of your plants’ environment. Placing a tray of pebbles close by can help increase humidity.
Regular misting is another option, but you will need to make sure you don’t allow water to sit on your plant otherwise you may simply replace spider mites with fungus.
If your plant is suffering from a particularly bad infestation or spider mites keep coming back, consider a spider mite treatment which you can get from any garden center.
Sensitivity to the water’s mineral content
Alocasia is particularly sensitive to salts, minerals, and other chemicals found in tap water. If these are affecting your plant you will see spots appearing on the leaves.
To avoid this, you can let the water sit in the watering can overnight before you water your plants or try using distilled water.
Frequently asked questions about Alocasia Maharani
Why are my Alocasia Maharani leaves drooping?
Drooping leaves are often a sign of too much water, infestations or insufficient levels of light or nutrients. Check your soil is not too damp and check the leaves once over for pests. If there are no issues, consider its position and try to provide more light. If that doesn’t help, apply a standard houseplant fertilizer.
Should I throw my Alocasia Maharani out because it has lost all its leaves?
Alocasia’s store energy in their tubers so there is a chance it can be saved. Place the plant in a warm area with good circulation of air. There may be life in it yet!
Why are my Alocasia Maharani leaves turning brown?
Brown leaves or tips can be a sign of root rot as a result of overwatering. If this is the case, try repotting your plant and establishing a more appropriate watering schedule. If you have recently added fertilizer, you may have overdone it. Again, it will need repotting to rinse out the excess chemicals.
Conclusion
Alocasia Maharani is an interesting plant that adds color, shape, and texture to any home. It is relatively easy to look after and will generally be ok as long as it does not receive too much water.
It will cope with dry conditions but thrives in a moist growing medium. If you want to see it flower, you will need to ensure you provide the correct amount of fertilizer and the perfect growing conditions.
But if you’re happy just to enjoy the natural beauty of its leaves, Alocasia Maharani requires very little in the way of ongoing maintenance.
Perfect for any area of the home but particularly at home in areas of high humidity such as terrariums or in bathrooms and kitchens, Alocasia Maharani is a versatile plant to have.
This beautiful plant can add different features in different areas of the home and makes a great gift for friends or family who want something simple to care for.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.