Alocasia scalprum features a leathery texture and a dark, near-black green colour that gives them an almost rubbery look. The foliage is remarkably rigid, and the leaves hold their shape with a structural quality that sets this species apart from the thinner-leaved Alocasias. It is a compact, slow grower that stays manageable, and its toughness makes it more forgiving of fluctuations in humidity than many of its relatives.
Live Arrival Guarantee
All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.
Your quick reference for choosing the right plant size. We group our plants by the diameter of their nursery pots which gives you a consistent way to understand scale.
5–8cm
Mini
Small but full of charm. These compact plants are perfect for desks, windowsills, and small shelves, or for building out a collection over time. Ideal if you enjoy watching your plants grow from the beginning. Approx. height: 10–20cm
9–11cm
Small
A step up in presence, great for side tables, shelves, or styling in clusters. Easy to move around and perfect for adding greenery without taking up too much space. Approx. height: 25–35cm
12–14cm
Medium
Our most versatile size. Works beautifully on shelves, desks, and plant stands, offering a fuller look without dominating a space. A great balance between impact and flexibility. Approx. height: 25–50cm
15–18cm
Large
More established plants with fuller foliage and stronger structure. Ideal for creating soft focal points in a room. Great for corners, beside furniture, or as standalone features. Approx. height: 40–70cm
19+cm
Extra Large
Big, impactful plants designed for floors and open spaces. These are your statement pieces and are perfect for anchoring a room or transforming a corner with instant greenery. Approx. height: 60cm–1.3m
Pots that fit this plant
We recommend
How to care for Alocasia scalprum
Keep me in bright, gentle light away from harsh sun and water me once my top few centimetres feel dry.
In their words
What our customers say
EP
Emily P.
Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.
JR
James R.
Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.
SL
Sophie L.
Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.
Get to know me
About Alocasia scalprum
Alocasia scalprum is a rewarding challenge of a houseplant. It needs bright indirect light, watering once the top 2 to 3cm of compost has dried out, high humidity and a minimum temperature of 15°C. It is harmful to pets and small children if eaten.
This plant grows best in bright, indirect light or dappled shade. Keep it away from direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves. For healthy growth and vibrant foliage, place it near a north-facing or east-facing window where it will receive plenty of filtered light.Read moreShow less
This plant grows best in bright, indirect light or dappled shade. Keep it away from direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves. For healthy growth and vibrant foliage, place it near a north-facing or east-facing window where it will receive plenty of filtered light.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water your plant when the top layer of soil feels slightly dry, and always ensure the pot has good drainage. Avoid soggy soil or standing water, and do not let the plant dry out completely, as steady moisture is essential for healthy growth.Read moreShow less
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water your plant when the top layer of soil feels slightly dry, and always ensure the pot has good drainage. Avoid soggy soil or standing water, and do not let the plant dry out completely, as steady moisture is essential for healthy growth.
Humidity
Average homeHigh humidity
Needs high humidity
This plant thrives in high humidity and benefits from a consistently humid environment. Good humidity levels help support healthy growth and keep the foliage healthy. To increase humidity, use a humidifier or place the plant in a naturally humid room like a bathroom or kitchen. Plant cabinets, grow tents, and terrariums can also help create stable humidity for tropical houseplants, especially in drier homes. When using enclosed growing spaces, ensure there is adequate airflow to prevent excess moisture build-up. Adding sphagnum moss around the stem can also help hold moisture and improve growing conditions.Read moreShow less
This plant thrives in high humidity and benefits from a consistently humid environment. Good humidity levels help support healthy growth and keep the foliage healthy. To increase humidity, use a humidifier or place the plant in a naturally humid room like a bathroom or kitchen. Plant cabinets, grow tents, and terrariums can also help create stable humidity for tropical houseplants, especially in drier homes. When using enclosed growing spaces, ensure there is adequate airflow to prevent excess moisture build-up. Adding sphagnum moss around the stem can also help hold moisture and improve growing conditions.
This plant grows best in warm temperatures between 18°C and 26°C. Keep it away from cold draughts and avoid temperatures below 15°C, as cooler conditions can stress the plant and affect healthy growth.Read moreShow less
This plant grows best in warm temperatures between 18°C and 26°C. Keep it away from cold draughts and avoid temperatures below 15°C, as cooler conditions can stress the plant and affect healthy growth.
Feeding
Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from spring to autumn, and let it rest over winter.
Soil & Substrate
Our Alocasia Premium Potting Mix is peat-free and formulated for Alocasias, with a chunky, well-draining blend that prevents waterlogging.
Harmful if chewed or swallowed. Keep it out of reach of pets and small children, and wash your hands after pruning.
Origins
Native to the Philippines, Alocasia scalprum grows in humid tropical forest understorey at low elevations. It is uncommon in cultivation and rarely seen outside specialist collections.
No, this plant isn't pet safe. It can be harmful or cause irritation if chewed, so keep it out of reach of cats and dogs. If you think your pet has eaten any, ring your vet straight away.
We aim to avoid using pesticides where possible, but we can't control the whole supply chain.
If the plant is going into a vivarium, terrarium or aquarium with live animals, rinse the leaves and roots well, remove any soil and let the plant dry out before adding it. We'd also suggest keeping it away from animals for a month first.
Can I see a photo of the exact plant I'll receive?
We're not able to send photos of individual plants or let you choose a specific one, as plants are selected by our team when your order is packed. Our photos show the variety and the kind of plant you can expect, and yours may vary a little in height, shape or fullness.
If a size has a code next to it, such as 9cm / B2, you're buying the exact plant pictured.
Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.
It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.
If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.
If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.
That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.
Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.
When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.
We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.
Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.
It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.
Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.
Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.
During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.
That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 7 days with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.
The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Alocasia are some of the most striking houseplants you can grow. Bold, architectural leaves on slender stems that immediately draw the eye. They're native to tropical and subtropical forests across Southeast Asia, where they grow on the forest floor in warm...
Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.
Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Perfect for Gifting
From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.
Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.
Sustainability at Heart
All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.
Good for your home - and the planet.
Verified reviews
Rated by real customers
Customers praised the plant's "stunning" dark patterned leaves with "leathery texture" and deep color. All reviews rated 5-stars, noting plants "arrived in great condition" with excellent packaging. Shoppers appreciated the quality and size, with many excited to watch leaves mature. No negative feedback reported.
The leaves are so delicate and precious. It's so worth it. It does not disappoint.
Love the almost leathery textured leaves! A real beauty
So much more gorgeous in real life, the pictures don't do it justice.
5 stars: 28 (100%)
4 stars: 0 (0%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)
A
Alina Jules (United Kingdom)
Large leaves in a 6cm pot. Arrived in good condition. Look forward to watching the leaves mature.
D
Danielle E.
Really like the deep colour.
Really like the deep colour. Very happy with it and since purchase it has dropped its old leaves and has just pushed out a new one.
It has joined the ranks of my Grow Tropical plants.
C
Cherelle H.
Rich and buttery beauty
This plant is so much more gorgeous in real life, the pictures on here don't do it justice. Arrived healthy and much larger than I expected.
The leaves are thick and leathery.
I also love this pot I got with it, sits in it perfectly.
K
Kiana M.
Cool looking leaves. Well packaged
Cool looking leaves. Well packaged and had good roots too.
V
Vanessa M.
Beautiful little plant, arrived healthy
Beautiful little plant, arrived healthy & well packaged as always, she’s now joined her mates in the ikea cabinet…
R
Ross
One of my favourite Alocasia, it's fairly easy going and in my opinion, beginner(ish) friendly for an Alo.
t
tina jacobs
Plants turned up in great condition as always, i can't wait to see them mature.
G
Gemma
Absolutely stunning definitely one of my favourites
G
Gemma
Absolutely stunning definitely one of my favourites
C
Colin C.
So much beauty from this
So much beauty from this Alocasia. The leaves are so delicate and precious. Highly recommend this selection. If you are considering getting this plant, just do it, it's so worth it. It does not disappoint.
a
alexander b.
Order review
I ordered a few Alocasia’s with yourselves and was amazed at the quality and size of them. Fantastic. Very very happy
L
Lorri B.
Alocasia scalprum
Love the almost leathery textured leaves! A real beauty Already has a new leaf unfurling arrived healthy well packaged! Def recommend grow tropical for your next plant! Great service
G
Gwen B.
Stunning specimen
Leaves are beautiful :heart_eyes: cant get ever over the beauty of specimen ive got :heart_eyes:
V
Val W.
Very good condition plant
Very good condition little plant. Fantastically packaged as always, plus the winter packaging. Very pleased, as always
J
Joan V.
Arrived safely, beautiful plants. I
Arrived safely, beautiful plants.
I hope I will not going to kill it.
J
Joanna W.
Stunning, arrived perfectly packaged
Stunning, arrived perfectly packaged
G
Geraldine F.
Love Grow Tropicals
Lovely plant. Healthy and ready for me to grow on.
Z
Zaneta
Beautiful healthy plant,happy with purchase.
Z
Zaneta
Beautiful healthy plant,happy with purchase.
c
chloe
The Alocasia came well packaged, safe and in the condition shown. The newest leaf has almost fully hardened and devloped mature colours as well qs a new leaf is also starting to slowly come through.
C
C.W.
The Alocasia came well packaged, safe and in the condition shown. The newest leaf has almost fully hardened and devloped mature colours as well qs a new leaf is also starting to slowly come through.
M
Melanie L.
Striking Plant
This plant came very well packaged as always with these guys. It was in great condition when it arrived and has continued to thrive since it arrived. Acclimatized without any issues at all, so chuffed to have had the chance to purchase this plant as such a great price. Looks amazing in my Alocasia collection :u1F970:
G
Gemma B.
Grow tropicals is one of
Grow tropicals is one of the best plant shops I’ve ever ordered from, they never disappoint and I’m so happy with my purchase
M
Maryam G.
I was very happy when
I was very happy when I received my plants! All arrived healthy and with no damage, really quality plants. Thanks so much Grow Tropical for the lovely plants.
M
Mawin T.
Great!!!
There was no problem with the shipping, and the plant was packaged very well as it came in perfect condition!
A
Annette
One of my favourite alocasias. Lovely dark patterned leaves. Arrived safe and sound
A
Annette
One of my favourite alocasias. Lovely dark patterned leaves. Arrived safe and sound
A
Aileen S.
Clean leaves with no pests.
Clean leaves with no pests. I’m very happy with the plant I received. It’s fab! Thank you!
