Alocasia ‘Regal Shields’

The Alocasia ‘Regal Shields’. This stunning interspecific hybrid was created by LariAnn Garner of Aroidia Research in 2007, crossing an unnamed plant of Alocasia odora as the female parent with Alocasia reginula (the famous ‘Black Velvet’) as the male parent. The result is a plant that combines the dramatic dark coloring of ‘Black Velvet’ with the upright habit and improved cold resistance of Alocasia odora.

Each massive, heart-shaped leaf is a work of art. The upper surface is a lustrous, deep green suffused with rich purple, prominently veined in lighter green. Flip a leaf over and you're greeted by a deep, dark purple underside that provides stunning contrast. The leaves are thick and durable, making this hybrid more resilient than many of its fussier cousins.

‘Regal Shields’ has a compact, clump-forming habit and is more adaptable than most Alocasias, tolerating both shade and sun conditions.

Care Instructions: Provide bright, indirect light for optimal growth. It prefers partial shade or filtered sun and is more adaptable to varied light conditions than most Alocasias. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. During the growing season, allow the top 2 inches of the soil to become just dry before watering thoroughly.