Alocasia sanderiana Nobilis - Elephant's ears plant

Alocasia sanderiana ‘Nobilis’ is a highly ornamental tropical indoor plant, prized for its dark green foliage with light veins and its well-proportioned, sculptural silhouette. Place it in a pot on a stand near a bay window or in a conservatory. Native to the humid forests of Southeast Asia, this Alocasia requires gentle warmth, filtered light, and a sufficiently humid atmosphere. In return, it creates a tropical ambience in a living room, a bright office, or a heated greenhouse.

The Alocasia belongs to the Araceae family, which includes many perennial rhizomatous plants from tropical undergrowth. Alocasia sanderiana is native to the north of the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, where it grows in warm, very humid forest ravines, in well-drained soil, sheltered from direct sunlight.
The name ‘Nobilis’ refers to an old variety, often mentioned under the synonyms Alocasia sanderiana var. nobilis, Alocasia sanderi or Schizocasia sanderiana. In a pot, the plant forms a clump 60 to 80 cm high and 40 to 50 cm wide, from a tuberous rhizome. Long, fleshy petioles bear arrow-shaped, 30 to 40 cm long leaves, deeply lobed with wavy edges, of a very dark green highlighted by a cream border and prominent whitish main veins; the underside of the lamina is purplish. 
Flowering manifests as small inflorescences typical of the Araceae, with a greenish-yellow spathe surrounding a pale spadix, without a marked scent and is very rare indoors.

Indoors, the plant requires filtered light, humid air (humidity above 60%), and stable temperatures between 18 and 25 °C, without cold draughts. Rather demanding, it is suited to enthusiasts already somewhat familiar with tropical plants, as it reacts quickly to overwatering, overly dry air, or sudden temperature changes.
If its needs are respected, it performs well in a bright living room, a cosy office, or a bright bathroom.

In an interior, Alocasia sanderiana ‘Nobilis’ stands out as a central element in a simple planter that showcases its architectural leaves. It can be placed on a side table or on the floor near an east-facing window. You can pair it with foliage of different textures but similar needs, such as Calathea rufibarba, Philodendron gloriosum with its large velvety leaves, or Anthurium clarinervium with its large heart-shaped leaves veined in white. In a conservatory or a bright bathroom, it creates a lush display with Maranta leuconeura ‘Fascinator’, which also appreciates warmth, good ambient humidity, and filtered light.

The entire plant contains calcium oxalate crystals: it is toxic if ingested by humans as well as pets; it should therefore be placed out of reach of young children and cats or dogs.