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Alocasia cuprea 'Red Secret'

Red Secret Alocasia

Typical UK price

£11

Verified

Price by size

Sold, 90 days
10
Middle half
£9 to £15
Last sold
28 Sep 2026
On record
22
Cutting/cormEstimate
7cm10 sold
12cmEstimate
MatureEstimate
  • Sale
  • Typical
  • Middle half
  • Estimate
for a 7cm pot
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About Alocasia cuprea 'Red Secret'

Alocasia cuprea 'Red Secret' is the trade name for a form of Alocasia cuprea sold for its glossy, metallic leaves, bronze-green above with red to maroon undersides. Growers disagree on whether it differs from the species or reflects growing conditions, and the new growth is described as red-flushed, olive or coppery depending on the seller. It is listed separately here because UK sellers price it separately from the species. Care matches the species: bright indirect light, steady warmth and humidity, and water once the top of the mix has dried.

Native range

Trade name for a cultivated form of Alocasia cuprea. Wild origin of the clone is not documented.

Classification

Genus
Alocasia
Family
Araceae
Type
Cultivar
Growth habit
Terrestrial, self-heading
Form of
Alocasia cuprea

Morphology

Leaf shape
Broadly ovate with a pointed tip, deeply quilted
Leaf length
20-30 cm
Leaf width
15-20 cm
Petiole colour
Slender, light green, pale brownish-orange at the base
Venation
Prominent, sunken primary veins
Texture
Thick, strongly bullate and metallic
Variegation
None. Metallic bronze-green leaf above, red to maroon underside.
Growth habit
Compact, self-heading, strictly terrestrial, no climbing stem

Recent UK sales

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For sale in the UK

Current listings on eBay UK

By month

MonthMedianSold
Sep 2026£93
Aug 2026£115
Jul 2026£115
Jun 2026£181
May 2026£106
Apr 2026£111
Jan 2026£171

Before you buy

  • Inspect the undersides of the bullate leaves closely for spider mites, as the deep texture provides ideal hiding places for pests.
  • Check the firmness of the central corm at the soil level; any softness or foul smell indicates advanced rot.
  • Ensure the newest leaf has emerged cleanly and fully unfurled, as low humidity often causes leaves to get stuck or tear during emergence.
  • Look for a healthy root system visible through the drainage holes, ensuring roots are firm and pale rather than dark and mushy.

Alocasia cuprea 'Red Secret' care

Substrate
A coarse, free-draining aroid mix containing orchid bark, perlite, and a generous portion of coco coir replicates its natural humus-rich forest floor environment. Ensure the mix retains some moisture without remaining waterlogged around the corm.
Watering
Water thoroughly when the top third of the soil feels dry, but avoid letting the root ball dry out entirely. These terrestrial growers prefer even moisture but are highly susceptible to root rot if left sitting in water.
Humidity
Maintain high humidity between 60-80% to prevent crispy leaf margins and support healthy new growth. Standard household humidity often leads to deformed leaves or stalled growth.
Feeding
Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength every two weeks during the active growing season. Reduce feeding significantly in winter when the plant naturally slows down or enters dormancy.
Repotting
Repot every 12-18 months when roots begin to circle the pot, moving up only one pot size. Avoid planting the corm too deeply to prevent rot at the base of the petioles.

Common problems

  • Spider mite infestations

    Cause: Dry indoor air weakening the plant and creating ideal breeding conditions on the highly textured leaves.

    Fix: Increase ambient humidity and wipe the bullate leaves regularly with a damp cloth or horticultural soap.

  • Rhizome or root rot

    Cause: Overwatering, poor drainage, or a substrate that holds water for too long.

    Fix: Unpot the plant, remove any soft brown roots or mushy corm tissue, and repot in a fresh, highly aerated mix.

  • Winter dormancy or leaf drop

    Cause: A drop in ambient temperature and light levels triggering the plant's natural resting phase.

    Fix: Reduce watering and stop fertilising until new growth resumes in spring; do not discard the corm if it loses all its leaves.

Gear for this plant

How to propagate Alocasia cuprea 'Red Secret'

Methods
Corm division, Separating offsets. 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
4-8 months
True from cuttings
Yes. Cuttings keep the cultivar's character.
Notes
Carefully separate small offsets or cormels that develop around the main base during repotting. Sprout these cormels in a shallow layer of damp sphagnum moss or perlite within a high-humidity propagation box until roots and the first leaves establish.

In the wild