Alocasia Maharani Plant Care

With the alien-looking unique, nothing will stand out more than the Alocasia Maharani well as one of your houseplant collections.

The Kris Plant or is it the Elephant Ear? No, it is the African Mask plant, or is it the Grey Dragon. No matter what it goes by, it is one unusual plant producing flowers on occasion.

But what makes it rarer is the leaves that impress everyone and look stunning. So how do you care for this exotic plant? Find out right here.

What is Alocasia Maharani?

The Alocasia Maharani Hybrid plant, known by many names, has stiff plastic leaves. The plant originates from Southeast Asia and only remains a foot in size. You can place it in a greenhouse, terrarium, or vivarium.

You can grow them in any container inside or outside, making them versatile to have. With time, you will notice the leaves are dark green textured with a reddish underside with thin stems. You may think it is an artificial plant standing there.

Alocasia Maharani Classification

alocasia maharani care card

Alocasia Maharani Care Basics

maharani alocasia

The African Mask plant is a rare species with thick green leaves and leathery to the touch. The monocot plant bears cluster flowers called a spadix, producing small flowers on one stem. While grown for the unique foliage, the flowering one cannot rely on and happens in early spring in white color.

Here are some essential care tips for you to keep your plant looking great.

Best Potting Mix

The Elephant Ear thrives on well-draining soil and is a heavy feeder that needs regular attention during the growing season. The ground needs to be porous and comprise part soil, part perlite/coarse sand, and peat. Make sure it is well aerated and drained to remain moist.

Watering Needs

If you want your Kris Plant to get active growth, the soil must be moist, not dry or soggy. It dislikes dryness, and too much can cause root rot. Plantly has found the best approach for this houseplant is to water it often but a little at a time.

Ideal Lighting

You need to replicate the same habitat as in the rainforest for the Grey Dragon to survive. You can place it near a well-lit window but never in direct sunlight. For this reason, put it in place with soft lighting and work best in a terrarium.

plant light condition

Humidity and Temperature 

The Alocasia Maharani grey dragon prefers temperatures between 54-80 °F, and if it falls below when outside, the best is to bring it in. The same applies to humidity and needs to be around 80 degrees. You can place it in your kitchen or a bathroom where there is a lot of steam.

Furthermore, moisture remaining on the leaves or in crevices leads to fungal diseases, and best to keep checking it.

Fertilizer Requirement

plant fertilizer

The plant is a heavy feeder that needs regular fertilizing when growing. You can use a general houseplant feed, providing it with the nutrients it needs. In turn, this helps to keep the soil nourished, leaving your plant looking healthy at all times.

Propagation

The African Mask plant can propagate from the Alocasia Maharani flower seed or pups and is done as soon as it ceases to be dormant. You can do this in early spring or midsummer. When using the pup or division method, choose healthy plants when repotting.

For removing pups only, remove the upper soil to get a grip on them. You can separate them from the mother plant, and the size varies as well as the overall health, but you can get up to five pups. Make sure to place each root in moist potting soil or another type of growing medium.

For propagating from seed, it needs to produce flowers and can take longer. Furthermore, you need to wait for the pod to mature and dry out. Doing this helps remove the seeds easier.

Yet, before planting the seeds, let them soak in water for a while. You can place it in your growing medium covered with moist ground.

Seedlings can take up to three months before appearing.

Growth Zone

Photo Credit: USDA Agricultural Research Service

If you live in zones 10 or 11, the Elephant Ear will grow well.

Potting and Repotting

You will not need to re-pot the Alocasia Maharani every year, as it is root-bound foliage. The outdoor plant grows slowly, and the best is to check the roots if it is growing through the drainage holes. The container needs to be at least two inches larger than your original one.

Before replanting, water your plant well an hour before it makes it easier to remove it. Also, inspect the roots for any health concerns and break them apart. Furthermore, plant it at the same depth in the original vessel.

Alocasia Maharani Varieties and Similar Plant

For the Grey Dragon, there are species in the Alocasia with a similar design.

  • Micholitziana FrydekAlocasia frydek

Known as the Alocasia Green Velvet, looks like the Polly regarding the shape, size, and color. It has a velvety display of deep-green leaves with white veins.

  • Dragon Scale

This one has a light green/silver leaf with dark green veins looking like the scales of a dragon.

  • Alocasia Melo

Also known as Alocasia Rugosa has large thick green leaves with a rough texture and deep veins. It remains on the stubby size made for a small pot.

  • SanderianaAlocasia sanderiana

Also known as the Kris plant, similar to the Alocasia Maharani, has v-shaped lobed foliage with wavy edges and silver/white veins. It is also a hybrid variety identical to the Alocasia Amazonica.

  • Black VelvetAlocasia black velvet

Is a more diminutive jewel that is familiar and recognizable by many gardeners. When you compare the Alocasia Maharani vs. Black Velvet, you find the latter has black leaves with silvery-white veins that look velvety compared to the Grey Dragon with its artificial-looking leaves.   

Alocasia Maharani Diseases & Pests

The plant is very delicate to get fungal infections and with overwatering root rot as well. If root rot happens, you need to remove the roots altogether to re-pot them. For fungal concerns, you can use a fungicide to treat the spores. 

Another concern is spider mites and generally found on the underside of the leaves. Do regular dusting of the leaves and wash the stem with warm soapy water and leave to dry. Furthermore, you need to raise the humidity as this pest lives in dry conditions. 

Sensitivity is the water mineral content you find in your tap water. If this happens, you notice spots forming on the leaves. To help solve the problem, leave the water overnight before you water the plant, or you can use distilled water.

Alocasia Maharani yellow leaves indicate the plant received too much water or might be too dry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is a rare indoor plant with an unusual aroid called many names because of the distinctive leaves and compact size

Around 12 inches in height

It can be that the air in your home is too dry, as it needs high humidity to thrive.

You can find the Grey Dragon in local nurseries, or you can find  Alocasia Maharani here at Plantly. From high-quality houseplant to door-to-door delivery, it’s on us!

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

Leave a Reply

Plantly Menu