Alocasia Chantrierii rare hybrid cultivated in Europe
🌿✨ Alocasia 'Chantrierii'
A historic hybrid with metallic reflections, a founding jewel of rare tropical plants in Europe
🌱 Introduction
There are plants that impress with their size. Others with their rarity. And then there are those that make history.
Alocasia 'Chantrierii' clearly belongs to this latter category. Upon first seeing it, one immediately senses that it didn't come out of nowhere. Its metallic foliage, contrasting veins, elegant form… everything about it suggests a plant that has been carefully considered, cultivated, and intentionally selected.
At Green and White Plants, we have a soft spot for those rare tropical plants that tell a story.
Alocasia 'Chantrierii' is not just beautiful. It symbolizes an era when European horticulture experimented, crossbred, and dared. And that's exactly what we're going to tell you about here.
🧬 True parentage and hybrid origin
Alocasia 'Chantrierii' is the result of a cross between two emblematic species of the genus Alocasia:
• Alocasia cuprea
• Alocasia sanderiana
This parentage immediately explains its very particular aesthetic. On one hand, the shiny metallic appearance inherited from Alocasia cuprea. On the other, the pronounced reliefs and veins from Alocasia sanderiana.
Some older sources mistakenly mention a parentage with Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Plumbea'. This confusion stems from the term metallica, formerly used to refer to Alocasia cuprea. With hindsight and morphological analysis, the consensus is now clear: Alocasia cuprea is indeed the true parent .
For European collectors of rare tropical plants , this detail is essential. It allows for a better understanding of the plant's behavior, leaf texture, and cultivation requirements.
🏛️ A French creation by Chantrier Frères
The history of Alocasia 'Chantrierii' is deeply European. It originated in the nursery of the Chantrier brothers , Adolphe and Ernest, in Mortefontaine , France.
We particularly like this part of its history. Because it reminds us that France played a major role in the development of tropical collector plants from the 19th century onwards.
The hybrid was officially described in 1887. At that time, hybrid creations were presented as true works of art, judged, rewarded, and passionately discussed.
Growing an Alocasia 'Chantrierii' today means extending this European horticultural tradition, while adapting it to our modern interiors.
🍃 Botanical description and visual signature
The foliage of Alocasia 'Chantrierii' is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable among the rare Alocasias .
Key features:
• Glossy metallic surface
• Midrib and primary veins whitish
• Oval to heart-shaped leaf
• Edge of the limb sinuous to wavy
• Posterior lobes approximately half the size of the anterior lobe
• Posterior lobes fused beyond the middle
• Narrow and acute sinus
Visually, the plant has an almost retro-futuristic feel. The contrast between the dark metal and the light veins gives each leaf incredible depth. It's the kind of plant that captures light differently depending on the angle, making it fascinating to observe throughout the day.
🎨 Varieties and appeal for collectors
Alocasia 'Chantrierii' also exists in variegated forms, which further reinforces its status as a rare tropical collector's plant .
Known variations:
• White variegation
• Speckled yellow variegation
• Pink speckled variegation
Against foliage that already has a metallic sheen, variegation creates an almost surreal effect. Each leaf becomes a unique piece. In cultivation, these forms require more patience and increased stability, but the visual reward is well worth it.
We've seen collectors experience a whole range of emotions with these variegated forms. The worry when a leaf turns greener. The joy when the variegation returns. That's precisely what makes these plants so addictive.
📜 Historical Synonyms and Confusions
Over time, Alocasia 'Chantrierii' has circulated under several names:
• Alocasia 'Bayeriana'
• Alocasia 'Chantrieri'
• Alocasia 'Chantrieriana'
• Alocasia 'Leopoldii'
• Alocasia 'Splendens'
The name Alocasia 'Bayeriana' most likely refers to a later recreation of the same cross, carried out at the beginning of the 20th century. Contemporary descriptions and illustrations clearly show the same combination of traits inherited from Alocasia cuprea and Alocasia sanderiana.
For a modern buyer, the most important thing is not the exact commercial name, but the morphological consistency . This is what we systematically check before offering a plant.
🌡️ Culture and behavior in Europe
Despite its historical aura, Alocasia 'Chantrierii' is not a capricious plant if its basic needs are respected.
Key points observed during the experiment:
• She prefers stability to excess
• It reacts very well to an aerated substrate
• She hates oversized pots
• She prefers bright, indirect light
In the beginning, we tended to overdo it. Overwatering. Overfeeding. Overmonitoring. Today, we do the opposite. We create a stable environment and let the plant express itself.
It is often at this time that the leaves become wider, brighter, more distinct.
🪴 Substrate and importance of the root system
Like many rare tropical plants , Alocasia 'Chantrierii' is highly dependent on substrate quality.
A good substrate should:
• Retain moisture without suffocating
• Allow air to circulate
• Remain structurally stable
Our premium substrates, cleaned three times, have been designed specifically for this type of plant. They have already saved more than 50 plant addicts and satisfied over 100 enthusiasts in Europe looking for a substrate truly suited to rare tropical plants .
We used to make our own, variable blends. Today, consistency has changed everything.
🧠 The mindset of a plant addict facing a historical plant
With Alocasia 'Chantrierii', one often feels a sense of respect. One hesitates to intervene. One observes more. One learns to trust the plant.
The phases are often the same:
• Admiration upon unboxing
• Mild stress during the first few weeks
• Doubt during a slowdown
• Euphoria upon producing a perfect sheet
It is precisely this emotional curve that makes us fall in love with rare tropical plants .
📊 Summary table
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Alocasia 'Chantrierii' |
| Kind | Historical horticultural hybrid |
| Parentage | Alocasia cuprea x Alocasia sanderiana |
| Origin | France, Mortefontaine |
| Signature | Metallic foliage, light-colored veins |
| Variations | White, speckled yellow |
| Level | Passionate collector |
🌿 In short
Alocasia 'Chantrierii' is a truly unique plant. Historic, elegant, and expressive, it embodies the golden age of European horticultural hybridization. For enthusiasts of rare tropical plants , it is both a collector's item and a botanical adventure.
We also offer it on our website:
Chantrierii Pink Variegata bulbs:
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