{"product_id":"alocasia-cucullata-main-de-bouddha","title":"Alocasia cucullata (Buddha's Hand)","description":"\u003csection id=\"alocasia-cucullata\" class=\"product-content verdeia-product\"\u003e\n\u003cheader class=\"product-intro\"\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"product-highlights\"\u003e🌿 Glossy heart-shaped leaves • 🖤 Almost black-green stems • 🌤️ Indirect light • 💧 Moderate watering • 🏙️ Compact, upright growth • 🪴 2 sizes\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"product-description-lead\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlocasia cucullata\u003c\/strong\u003e, called \u003cem\u003eBuddha's Hand\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eChinese elephant ear\u003c\/em\u003e, bears broad, heart-shaped leaves in a deep, glossy green, held upright on stems so dark they appear almost black. A species native to the \u003cstrong\u003etropical regions of Southeast Asia (Sri Lanka, India, southern China)\u003c\/strong\u003e, it joins the easiest-care \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/alocasia\"\u003eAlocasias\u003c\/a\u003e in the catalogue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"product-description-lead\"\u003eIts distinctive feature compared with other Alocasias is its growth habit: while Macrorrhiza or Regal Shield unfurl very large, spreading leaves, cucullata keeps smaller leaves grouped in a dense, upright clump. The tips curve slightly forward, a gesture that earned it the name Buddha's hand and its traditional presence near temples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/header\u003e\n\u003csection id=\"varietes-alocasia\" class=\"product-section\" aria-labelledby=\"varietes-title\"\u003e\n \u003ch2 id=\"varietes-title\"\u003eWhich Alocasia should you choose?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Alocasia genus comes in very different leaf shapes and sizes — here is how to position cucullata:\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlocasia cucullata\u003c\/strong\u003e (this plant) — heart-shaped leaves grouped in a dense clump, very dark stems (2 sizes: H65 cm | Pot Ø17 cm and H70 cm | Pot Ø21 cm). The most compact version among the larger sizes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/alocasia-bambino-arrow-14cm-40cm\"\u003eAlocasia 'Bambino Arrow'\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — small dark green arrow-shaped leaves with prominent veins (H40 cm | Pot Ø14 cm). The most graphic version in a small format.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/alocasia-gageana-california-21cm-80cm\"\u003eAlocasia gageana 'California'\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — very large textured leaves with prominent veins (H80 cm | Pot Ø21 cm). The most imposing version.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/alocasia-regal-shield-21cm-h90cm\"\u003eAlocasia 'Regal Shield'\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — dark green shield-shaped leaves with deep purple undersides (H90 cm | Pot Ø21 cm). The most spectacular version.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection id=\"exposition-emplacement\" class=\"product-section\" aria-labelledby=\"exposition-title\"\u003e\n \u003ch2 id=\"exposition-title\"\u003eLight \u0026amp; location\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCucullata is the most light-tolerant of the Alocasias, which explains its reputation as an easy-care variety. It tolerates medium light where its large-leaved cousins require bright light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e bright, indirect light — east- or west-facing window, or a south-facing window with a sheer curtain. Never direct sun, which burns the leaf blade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocation:\u003c\/strong\u003e living room, office, bedroom, bright bathroom — away from radiators and drafts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18 to 27 °C — minimum 15 °C, with no sudden fluctuations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e rich and well-draining — universal potting soil amended with perlite and a little bark.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003c\/ul\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe leaves clearly orient themselves toward the light and close their clump on the opposite side: turning the pot a quarter turn every two weeks keeps it balanced on all four sides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection id=\"arrosage-entretien\" class=\"product-section\" aria-labelledby=\"arrosage-title\"\u003e\n \u003ch2 id=\"arrosage-title\"\u003eWatering \u0026amp; care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAlocasia grows from a fleshy rhizome that rots quickly in waterlogged substrate. A lightened mix of \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/comprendre-substrats-terreau-billes-argile-perlite\"\u003eperlite and clay pebbles\u003c\/a\u003e remains the best precaution, particularly in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e moderate — let the surface of the substrate dry to a depth of 2 to 3 cm, about once a week in spring and summer, and every 2 to 3 weeks in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e essential — use a pot with drainage holes and clay pebbles at the bottom, and empty the saucer after each watering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e it prefers 60% or higher — mist the foliage during the heating season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e the glossy leaves show dust — a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/nettoyer-faire-briller-feuillage\"\u003eregular wipe with a damp cloth\u003c\/a\u003e restores their shine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e liquid fertilizer for green plants, diluted by half, once a month from April to September only.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRepotting:\u003c\/strong\u003e every 2 years in spring, in a slightly wider pot, keeping the rhizome level with the surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003c\/ul\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eWater droplets at the tips of the leaves in the morning are normal for Alocasia: the plant expels excess water through the tips, a sign that it is well hydrated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection id=\"associations-deco\" class=\"product-section\" aria-labelledby=\"deco-title\"\u003e\n \u003ch2 id=\"deco-title\"\u003eDecor ideas \u0026amp; plant pairings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIts dense, upright clump takes up little floor space while creating a strong tropical presence. The contrast between the glossy green leaves and the black stems stands out even more against a light background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a duo of contrasting elephant ears,\u003c\/strong\u003e pair it with an \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/alocasia-gageana-california-21cm-80cm\"\u003eAlocasia gageana 'California'\u003c\/a\u003e with very large, textured leaves — the same genus, with two foliage scales that complement each other.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTo brighten the composition,\u003c\/strong\u003e place a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/dracaena-sunray-dragonnier-marge-jaune\"\u003eDracaena 'Sunray'\u003c\/a\u003e with yellow-edged leaves beside it — the light border softens the Alocasia's dark mass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTo highlight the black stems,\u003c\/strong\u003e slide the Ø21 cm size into a ribbed \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/elho-vibes-fold-22cm-blanc-cache-pot-design\"\u003ewhite Elho Vibes Fold decorative pot Ø22 cm\u003c\/a\u003e — the matte white creates the clearest backdrop for this contrast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a more natural atmosphere,\u003c\/strong\u003e the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/panier-jorck-noir-26cm\"\u003eblack Jorck basket Ø26 cm\u003c\/a\u003e in woven fibers extends the dark tone of the stems down to the floor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003c\/ul\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe H65 cm size is suitable for a low piece of furniture or a desk corner; the H70 cm in Pot Ø21 cm stands on the floor by itself with a noticeably fuller clump.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection id=\"tips\" class=\"product-section\" aria-labelledby=\"tips-title\"\u003e\n \u003ch2 id=\"tips-title\"\u003eVerdeia tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cul class=\"verdeia-tips\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpace out watering considerably in winter:\u003c\/strong\u003e the Alocasia enters dormancy and its water consumption drops sharply from November onward. Continuing at the summer watering rate is the main cause of rhizome rot, irreversible damage that only becomes visible once the foliage is affected.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDon't panic if it loses its leaves in winter:\u003c\/strong\u003e some Alocasia enter dormancy and partially shed their leaves. The rhizome remains alive and resumes growth in spring as soon as the light returns — simply reduce watering without ever allowing the substrate to dry out completely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDivide the offsets when repotting:\u003c\/strong\u003e young shoots appear at the base of the clump. Taking them in spring with a piece of rhizome and a few roots allows you to grow a second plant while keeping the mother plant well aerated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection id=\"caracteristiques\" class=\"product-section\" aria-labelledby=\"caract-title\"\u003e\n \u003ch2 id=\"caract-title\"\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \u003cul class=\"tech-details\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAlocasia cucullata\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Buddha's Hand, Chinese elephant ear\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Araceae\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Southeast Asia (Sri Lanka, India, southern China)\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivery dimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 sizes available, H65 cm | Pot Ø17 cm and H70 cm | Pot Ø21 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature height:\u003c\/strong\u003e up to 1 meter indoors\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e bright indirect light, never direct sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e moderate, allow the surface of the substrate to dry between waterings\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 60% and above, misting appreciated in winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e rich, well-draining, and airy\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/strong\u003e moderate, dense clump growing from a rhizome\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e evergreen, glossy, deep-green heart-shaped leaves on very dark green stems\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e easy\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eToxicity:\u003c\/strong\u003e toxic if ingested, irritating sap (calcium oxalates)\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecorative style:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tropical \/ Urban jungle \/ Zen\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003c\/ul\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eEach plant is unique: the number of stems, leaf size, and clump density naturally vary from one specimen to another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Everspring","offers":[{"title":"H65 cm | Pot Ø17 cm","offer_id":57282887090441,"sku":"54127","price":35.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"H70 cm | Pot Ø21 cm","offer_id":57278097719561,"sku":"54129","price":44.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/1006\/5673\/files\/alocasia-cucullata-main-de-bouddha-verdeia-4827390.jpg?v=1788064099","url":"https:\/\/verdeia.eu\/en\/products\/alocasia-cucullata-buddha-s-hand","provider":"Verdeia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}