Alocasia reginula x melo Maharani - Elephant's Ear

The Alocasia 'Maharani', sometimes nicknamed 'Elephant Ear', is a compact and fascinating houseplant. This hybrid features thick, veined, textured, grey-green, heavily veined leaves which appear almost artificial. It fits perfectly into modern or minimalist décors, but also finds its place in a chic tropical setting. Not too bulky, it is ideal for enhancing small spaces. Place it in partial shade and maintain good ambient humidity, and it will become a true gem in your home. A little tip: regularly rotate the plant to ensure even and balanced growth.

Resulting from the cross-breeding between Alocasia reginula and A. melo, the Alocasia 'Maharani' is a horticultural hybrid created by the renowned botanist and aroid specialist Peter Boyce in around 2009, during his time at Malesiana Tropicals in Malaysia. This plant exhibits superior characteristics to those of its two parents. Compact and robust, it reaches a height and spread of about 30 cm, with an upright habit and thick, leathery, greyish-green leaves on the upper side and a deep red on the underside when mature. These resemble those of its parents whilst surpassing them in elegance. The light veins of the Alocasia 'Maharani' help distinguish it from its parent Alocasia melo, whose foliage is more uniform and rigid. Although this hybrid is primarily appreciated for its foliage, it can produce unremarkable sterile inflorescences in the form of green-white spathes, but pollination remains impossible due to the plant's infertility.
Native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, the genus Alocasia naturally grows in warm and humid undergrowth. Indoors, the Alocasia 'Maharani' prefers soft light, high humidity, and stable temperatures between 18 and 25 °C. It is also toxic, like most Aroids, and should therefore be kept out of reach of children and pets.

The Alocasia 'Maharani' is an exceptional creation with a graphic appeal that pairs perfectly with a white or black ceramic pot featuring a clean design for a Scandinavian or minimalist style. Highlight its textured foliage with soft lighting to accentuate its subtle nuances. In a tropical or jungle setting, place it alongside a Calathea orbifolia and a Philodendron ‘Birkin’, two plants that share its need for indirect light and high humidity. It will also draw the eye  on a wooden shelf, in a bright bathroom, or even as a centrepiece on an entrance hall console.