Full Specimen Plate
Alocasia bisma
Platinum Alocasia
Quick Facts
Morphology
About
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 but striking colouring has made it a sought-after addition alongside more heavily patterned jewel Alocasia species.
Native Range
Sumatra, Indonesia
Market Analysis
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Before You Buy
Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing
- 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
Propagation Guide
Growing More Plants
3-6 months
Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings
Corm offsets can be separated once they develop their own root system.
Care Guide
Growing Conditions
Chunky, well-draining aroid mix: 40% potting compost, 30% perlite, 20% orchid bark, 10% horticultural charcoal.
Water when the top 3-4 cm of substrate is dry. Reduce watering significantly if the plant enters dormancy.
65-85% preferred for the best leaf sheen and size.
Balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength every 4 weeks during active growth.
Every 12-18 months, or when offsets crowd the pot.
Common Problems
Sudden leaf drop and dormancy
Normal seasonal response to cooler temperatures or reduced light
Reduce watering and wait — the corm typically resprouts once conditions improve
Spider mites
Low humidity and dry air
Increase humidity and inspect leaf undersides regularly
Understated Metallic Sheen
Bisma doesn't rely on bold patterning to earn its place among collector Alocasias — the cool, silvery-platinum leaf tone and subtle metallic sheen do the work on their own, a quieter counterpart to the genus's more heavily variegated jewel species.