Full Specimen Plate

Alocasia sarawakensis

Sarawak Alocasia

Quick Facts

growth HabitUpright, stem-forming rosette
mature SizeLarge (80cm-1.5m)
lightBright indirect light
humidityModerate to high (60-80%)
temperature18-28°C
difficultyIntermediate
growth SpeedModerate to Fast
View Care Guide
Wild££ · UncommonMediumSarawak, Malaysian Borneo
DescriptionIn the WildPropagationCare GuideField Notes

Morphology

leaf ShapeBroad sagittateArrowhead-shaped leaves, with pointed lobes at the base pointing downwards. to cordateHeart-shaped foliage, featuring a rounded notch (sinus) where the leaf stem attaches.
leaf Length35-60 cm
leaf Width25-45 cm
petiole ColorGreen to dark maroon
venationProminent, pale against the dark blade
textureGlossy
variegationNone
growth HabitUpright with a thickening visible stem at maturity

About

Alocasia sarawakensis is a large-growing Bornean species with broad, dark green, glossy leaves on a robust upright stem — the true wild-type species, distinct from the popular 'Yucatan Princess' cultivar bred from it. It is a substantial architectural plant at maturity, well suited to collectors with the floor space for a large specimen rather than a compact tabletop Alocasia.

Native Range

Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

Market Analysis

Auction History & Retail Data

Historical eBay auction metrics and live retailer listings updated weekly.

No eBay auction history available yet. Data is collected automatically as sales appear on eBay UK.

Before You Buy

Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing

  • Clarify with the seller whether the plant is true species sarawakensis or the derived 'Yucatan Princess' cultivar
  • Consider mature size before buying — this species eventually becomes a substantial floor plant
  • Check the corm/base is firm, not soft or mushy

Propagation Guide

Growing More Plants

Methods
Corm offsetsStem cutting
Difficulty
Moderate
Time to Establish

4-8 months

True From Cuttings
Yes

Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings

Corm offsets can be separated once rooted; mature stems can also be sectioned with a node.

Care Guide

Growing Conditions

Substrate

Chunky, well-draining aroid mix: 40% potting compost, 30% perlite, 20% orchid bark, 10% horticultural charcoal.

Watering

Water when the top 3-5 cm of substrate is dry.

Humidity

60-80% preferred for the largest leaves.

Fertilising

Balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength every 3-4 weeks during active growth.

Repotting

Every 12-18 months, sizing up as the plant grows — this species eventually needs a substantial pot.

Common Problems

Problem

Slow growth or small leaves

Cause

Insufficient light or a pot too small to support mature growth

Fix

Provide bright indirect light and repot as the plant outgrows its container

Problem

Confused with 'Yucatan Princess' at purchase

Cause

Yucatan Princess is a cultivar bred from this species and the two are sometimes conflated by sellers

Fix

Confirm with the seller whether the plant is the true wild-type species or the Yucatan Princess cultivar

Field Notes · Vol. 115 August 2024

The Species Behind Yucatan Princess

Most people encounter this species' genes secondhand through 'Yucatan Princess' without realising the true wild-type sarawakensis is a distinct, and genuinely impressive, large-growing plant in its own right — well worth seeking out for anyone with the space for it.

Written at AroidAtlas research station— Aroid Aaron
Retail Price?The average price across tracked UK retailers (nurseries and specialty stores).
Not tracked
Not currently stocked by tracked UK retailers
Market Trend?Calculated by comparing average auction sales from the past 30 days against the preceding 60 days.
—
Not enough history to calculate a trend

How prices are calculated: The AA Price uses online sold listings converted to GBP at current exchange rates, excluding extreme outliers to ensure a fair-value guide. Falls back to UK retail average when auction data is unavailable.

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