Alocasia bisma
Platinum Alocasia
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About Alocasia bisma
Alocasia bisma, often traded as "Platinum" for its cool, silvery-grey leaf tone, is a Sumatran species with broad, slightly bullate leaves that catch the light with a distinctive metallic sheen. It grows from a basal corm in a compact rosette habit typical of many collector Alocasia species, and its understated colouring has made it a sought-after addition alongside more heavily patterned jewel Alocasia species.
Native range
Sumatra, Indonesia
Classification
- Genus
- Alocasia
- Family
- Araceae
- Type
- Wild
- Growth habit
- Upright rosette from a corm
Morphology
- Leaf shape
- Broad ovateEgg-shaped leaves, with the wider end near the base. to cordateHeart-shaped foliage, featuring a rounded notch (sinus) where the leaf stem attaches., slightly bullate
- Leaf length
- 15-28 cm
- Leaf width
- 12-22 cm
- Petiole colour
- Green to silvery
- Venation
- Subtle, blending into the silvery blade
- Texture
- Semi-matte with a metallic sheen
- Variegation
- None (a cool, silvery-platinum colour form)
- Growth habit
- Upright rosette from a basal corm
Recent UK sales
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For sale in the UK
Before you buy
- Check the corm/base is firm, not soft or mushy
- Confirm at least one healthy leaf or visible growth point
- Inspect for spider mites on leaf undersides, a common Alocasia pest
Alocasia bisma care
- Substrate
- Chunky, well-draining aroid mix: 40% potting compost, 30% perlite, 20% orchid bark, 10% horticultural charcoal.
- Watering
- Water when the top 3-4 cm of substrate is dry. Reduce watering significantly if the plant enters dormancy.
- Humidity
- 65-85% preferred for the best leaf sheen and size.
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength every 4 weeks during active growth.
- Repotting
- Every 12-18 months, or when offsets crowd the pot.
Common problems
Sudden leaf drop and dormancy
Cause: Normal seasonal response to cooler temperatures or reduced light
Fix: Reduce watering and wait; the corm typically resprouts once conditions improve
Spider mites
Cause: Low humidity and dry air
Fix: Increase humidity and inspect leaf undersides regularly
Gear for this plant
- Flowers of Sulphur, 99.99% PurityDusted onto a fresh corm or rhizome cut to guard against rot before repotting.
- Precision Bonsai Pruning Scissors, 200mmFine-bladed snips for clean node cuts when taking a cutting.
- Digital Hygrometer & ThermometerLCD humidity and temperature gauge for checking a grow spot against a plant's target range.
How to propagate Alocasia bisma
- Methods
- Corm offsets, Division. Step-by-step guide
- Difficulty
- Moderate. Rewards a consistent watering and light routine, but tolerates the occasional lapse. Suited to growers with some houseplant experience.
- Time to establish
- 3-6 months
- True from cuttings
- Yes. Cuttings keep the cultivar's character.
- Notes
- Corm offsets can be separated once they develop their own root system.