If you're a plant lover, then this plant is a lovely prospect. Alocasia Maharani is a hybrid species of the alocasia regular and alocasia Melo variety that features thick silvery green leaves that are rough to touch and are very leathery.
Given the best attention and care, it will grow into the best houseplant you've ever desired.
The plant thrives in bright indirect sunlight and requires a temperature that ranges from 65º to 80ºF (18º to 27ºC). Ensure you plant them in a well-draining soil mix, and once you notice the top 2 inches of the soil is dry, endeavor to water.
Feed them, but let it be once a month during spring and summer. In this article, we will show you the easiest alocasia maharani care and growing tips so you can grow this plant without much efforts.
Table of Contents
Alocasia Maharani Origin: What is Alocasia Maharani?
| Common Name | Grey Dragon |
| Botanical Name | Alocasia Maharani |
| Plant Type | Easy Grower |
| Family | Arum Genus |
| Sun Exposure | Partial Sun |
| Soil pH Acidic | neutral |
| Mature Size | Up to 14″ (35cm) tall |
| Soil Type | 5.5 – 6.5, well-draining Soil Mix |
| Leaf Color | Silvery-green color |
| Native Area | South East Asia |
| Temperature | Between 65º & 80ºF (18º & 27ºC) |
| Toxicity | Toxic to humans & animals |
| Cool Hardiness | Zone 10, Not Cold Hardy |
Commonly known as the Grey Dragon, alocasia maharani is a hybrid of alocasia reginula and alocasia Melo variety and one of the rarest varieties of alocasia that you'll ever find. Commonly planted as houseplants, it is valuable for its unusual foliage.
Unlike its other relatives, the maharani is a dwarfish size and hardly grows taller than 14 inches (35cm).
Related Post: Alocasia Sumo Care
However, its smallish nature makes it a unique prospect that you can add to terrariums. The maharani possesses round leaves, with a beautiful silvery-green color, and 5 to 8 inches sizes.
During the mature stage of the leaves, they begin to stiffen and produce a vein-like texture, making them look like dragon scales (as the name implies).
Talking about the leaves, they produce insoluble oxalate crystals. While growing the maharani can be quite tricky for beginners, it's well worth the effort.
That said, here’s how to grow a healthy alocasia maharani plant!
Is Alocasia Maharani Easy To Care For?
As we mentioned earlier, caring for alocasia maharani can be tricky, particularly regarding light and water care; hence, you have to give it the utmost attention it requires to give it the best growth.
In other words, like other alocasia varieties, the maharani needs the best care and attention possible, especially for inexperienced gardeners.
Alocasia Maharani Care and Growing Tips
Here's how to care for alocasia maharani, even if you're not familiar with the plant:
Natural Habitat & Light Requirements
Much like several Alocasia varieties, the maharani's natural habitat is the floor of the rainforest, an area that provides it with bright enough indirect sunlight.
Therefore, if you want to plant indoors, and you want it to grow to your desired success, endeavor to place it where it will replicate the above condition.
You can position it close to a well-lit window but away from the scorching heat of the direct sunlight to avoid causing the leaves of the plant to suffer sunburn.
Aside from a well-lit window, you can also locate an area with soft artificial lighting, as it will stand in for a place that lacks natural sunlight. Note, the alocasia maharani is perfect for terrariums or vivarium.
Read Also: Plants that Grow in Fluorescent Light
Watering Requirements
Alocasia Maharani is a houseplant that always prefers damp soil but shouldn't be excessively wet. Therefore, endeavor to place the soil moisture levels the same throughout the year and not allow the plant to dry out for too long.
Error in watering will only stress the plant, thus, causing it to grow weaker and susceptible to pest attacks.
Garden experts have revealed that the best way to water the maharani is through the wet and drain method. First of all, you examine the soil using your finger or with a soil moisture meter.
If you notice that the top inch of the soil is dry, you can water efficiently. Then, be patient to ensure the water is dripping through the drainage holes.
After that, you can allow the pot to drain in a sink before putting it back on the container tray. On the other hand, make sure you don't water the plant on a schedule, as its watering requirements change with the season, temperature, maturity, and the potting medium.
In other words, in the summer season, you should water it once every week; whereas, during the winter season, you must reduce the watering to once every ten or even 15 days, as that is when the plant is at its dormancy.
Humidity & Temperature
As far as humidity is concerned, the alocasia maharani thrives at 50% and above humidity levels. However, it will survive in low humidity levels without any potential harm. That is why it is a fascinating prospect for anywhere in your home or office.
Talking about temperature, the plant will grow healthy as long as you maintain temperatures between the ranges of 60 degrees and above. However, the perfect temperature you can offer is from 65 degrees, as they are warm growers.
Soil Requirements
Like most alocasia varieties, the perfect soil mix for the alocasia maharani is without doubt nutrient-rich, porous, well-draining, and aerated soil.
One of the most significant challenges you encounter with Alocasia plants is excessive watering, which is always the direct result of soil mixes that are excessively thick and poorly draining.
However, you can avoid this problem by ensuring that it's potted in the ideal type of medium. If you want to create soil for alocasia maharani, you're free to use three parts universal houseplant soil and two parts soil amendments.
A mix of plant soil and perlite will give your plant the perfect mix of nutrients, moisture retention, drainage, and aeration.
Fertilizing Needs
You are free to fertilize the alocasia maharani, but make sure you do that sparingly, as too much fertilizer can have a damaging effect on it.
Therefore, for inexperienced gardeners, its feeding should not be more than one quarter every two months—also, us a balanced fertilizer like a 15-15-15 or 7-9-5.
Planting (Potting & Repotting)
Alocasia Maharani has a medium growth rate; therefore, you need to report it once a year. The best season to repot your maharani plant is during the spring because it is at its growth stage. Here, you are required to use a container that's one size larger than the former one.
Like other varieties, even some tropical plants, the best material for potting the alocasia maharani is plastic because it helps prevent the soil from drying out too fast.
Ensure that the container features enough drainage holes underneath since the plant does not thrive on wet feet.
How to Prune Alocasia Maharani
You can report the alocasia maharani once it has filled the pot. Most times, it is important to prune off the old leaves, which will help to keep the plant very neat and attractive.
How to Propagate Alocasia Maharani
The propagation of alocasia maharani can be achieved using three methods: division, offsets, or seeds.
Meanwhile, it would be best to carry out the propagation during the spring or early summer and always ensure that the plant is healthy before propagating it. Below are the propagation methods;
Propagation By Division Method
The easiest method to propagate the alocasia maharani is by division. Here are three steps required for a successful division:
- First of all, remove the plant from its pot and remove the soil around the roots carefully
- Then, split the rhizome with a sharp blade, making sure that the same amount of roots are on the two sections of the plant
- Finally, prepare a well-draining soil mix and plant in a pot with drainage holes
Related Post: Types of Indoor Succulents
Propagation By Offsets Method
Alocasia Maharani can also be propagated using the offsets method, which develops throughout the year and is baby alocasia plants.
Using this method requires a sharp blade or a pair of sterile pruning shears. Then, cut the roots that are linked to the parent plant. After cutting the roots, you can gently pull out the offset from the soil and grow it using a well-draining soil mix.
Note:
- Avoid chopping away offsets (babies) when they are just new
- Be patient until they're at least 1″ (2.5 cm) tall before you disconnect them from the parent plant
- Remember, the bigger the offset, the more success the propagation
Propagation By Seeds Method
If you want to propagate the alocasia maharani using the seed method, you have to first soak the seeds all through the night in distilled water and sow in a well-draining soil mix (during the fall period).
- Sow the seeds 0.5″ (~1cm) in the soil
- Then, water the seeds lightly and put a plastic bag over the pots to ensure high humidity
- The pot and seeds (and plastic bag) should be kept in bright indirect sunlight and moisten the soil
- Besides, you want to add a heat mat under the containers to keep the seedlings warm. The heat will improve the germination success rate.
- After two months, when the seedlings have grown to about 2″ (5cm) tall, carefully transplant them into bigger pots and enjoy your baby alocasia maharani!
Alocasia Maharani Varieties
As far as alocasia maharani is concerned, several alocasia species have the same design and trait, namely, Micholitziana Frydek, Dragon Scale, Melo, Sanderiana, and Black Velvet.
Micholitziana FrydekAlso known as the Alocasia Green Velvet, the micholitziana frydek has the resemblance of the Polly based on the shape, size, and color. It features a velvety display of deep-green leaves with white veins, which is called the alocasia green velvet.
Related Post: Pachysandra Seed Care Tips
1. Dragon Scale
For the dragon scale variety, there's the display of light green/silver leaf, which has dark green veins that resemble the scales of a dragon, which is why it is called the dragon scale.
2. Melo
Also known as Alocasia Rugosa, the Melo is an alocasia maharani variety that features thick leaves with a rough texture and deep veins. It stays on the diminutive size that is made for a little pot.
3. Sanderiana
Also known as the Kris Plant, you will confuse the sanderiana variety as the alocasia maharani itself due to its v-shaped lobed foliage with wavy edges and features silver/white veins. It is a hybrid variety identical to the Alocasia Amazonica.
4. Black Velvet
The black velvet of the alocasia maharani variety has a more dwarf nature than the rest. It possesses black leaves with silvery-white veins that look velvety with its artificial-looking, especially when compared to the grey dragon variety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alocasia Maharani A Rare Plant?
Yes, the alocasia maharani plant is a rare houseplant featuring a strange aroid with many names because of its unique leaves and compact size.
Why Is My Alocasia Maharani Not Growing?
The most common reason why your alocasia maharani is not growing is that the air in your home is arid since the maharani requires high humidity to grow well.
How Big Can Alocasia Maharani Get?
Well, it can grow to around 12 inches, or even up to 14 inches (35cm) tall.
Why Are My Alocasia Maharani Leaves, Turning Brown?
There're several explanations as to why the leaves of the maharani are turning brown. It could be that it's suffering from low humidity levels (under 60%) in your home, or its soil is dried and needs watering, or over-fertilizing, or excessive sunlight, or leaf spot diseases, or even pests. Therefore, beware of those mentioned above to keep your plant's color intact.
Why Are My Alocasia Maharani Leaves Drooping?
Most times, when you discover that your alocasia maharani leaves are drooping, it is due to excessive water, infestations, or a low level of sunlight or nutrients. Therefore, you have to be mindful to keep everything moderate to avoid leaves drooping.
Why Are My Alocasia Maharani Leaves Turning Yellow?
If your alocasia maharani leaves turn yellow, then the best explanation could be that the soil is either soggy or too dry. To avoid yellowing of leaves, you have to ensure that watering is done when the top 2 inches of the soil is dry, or use a moisture probe and water it when the probe reveals between 2 and 3.
Where Can I Buy Alocasia Maharani?
Due to the exciting features of the alocasia maharani, it wouldn't be a surprise to see many people clamoring to lay hands on it, which is why it has been a scarce product of recent. However, you can find the plant in local nurseries, or when you browse online, you will find out where to buy it and get it delivered to your doorstep.
Related Post: Dieffenbachia Plant Care
