Alocasia 'Yucatan Princess' Aurea Variegated

'Yucatan Princess' is one of the more debated names in the genus. Its origin is unclear: it is neither a confirmed hybrid nor an accepted species, and the name is geographically misleading, since Alocasia is an Old World genus that grows nowhere near the Yucatán. For years it was sold as a form of Alocasia sarawakensis, to which it is unrelated. What is not in doubt is the plant itself: dark, glossy, slightly puckered leaves with a metallic cast, burgundy margins and veins, and speckled red petioles.

This is the aurea form. The golden layer is chimeric, carried in a genetically distinct tissue layer, so it falls differently on every leaf. Across this batch it runs from clean half-moons, one side of the midrib gold and the other dark green, to broad marbled sectors and fine flecking. Against the dark base the gold reads warm, close to peach in some light, and the burgundy edge frames it.

Six plants, six patterns

Every plant in this batch carries visible aurea. Some lean towards bold half-moons, others towards marbling. You choose on pattern.

A note on aurea

Aurea generally holds better than albo, but it is still chimeric, and expression shifts with light and maturity, so no future leaf is guaranteed. The gold tissue carries less chlorophyll: give it bright, indirect light and humidity above 60% to keep growth steady and the colour clean.

Each plant is imported and comes with a pot and pon included. Delivery is added at checkout.

The drop

Six plants. Sunday at 4pm.

£69.99 to the collector list. The buying link goes out by email and on the WhatsApp Channel at 4pm Sunday, and it is the only way to buy at £69.99. Twenty-four hours later, the plants are listed on the website at £85.

Choose your plant when the drop opens.