{"product_id":"alocasia-longiloba-purple-prince","title":"Alocasia Longiloba Purple Prince Tissue Culture Grower's Choice","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"row-start-1 col-start-1 min-w-0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"contents\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"min-w-0 pl-2 py-[var(--msg-pill-py,0.375rem)]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex items-center gap-2\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ilZyRc R7mRQb\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"xEFZqe\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tbIZh wQN2Jd Odbbif\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"n6owBd awi2gc\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eLeaf loss, yellowing, and browning will occur during shipping.A fascinating fun fact about the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=alocasia+longiloba\u0026amp;kgmid=\/g\/121qgjdr\"\u003eAlocasia longiloba\u003c\/a\u003e '\u003cu\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePurple Prince'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e is that it is a master of disguise—so much so that it \u003cspan\u003efooled botanists for generations and caused massive scientific confusion\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 role=\"heading\"\u003eThe Ultimate Botanical Shape-Shifter\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eIn the wild, \u003cem\u003eAlocasia longiloba\u003c\/em\u003e is native to a broad region stretching across Southeast Asia. Because its environment varies from deep jungle understories to rocky cliffs, the plant adapted by radically altering its shape, size, and leaf color depending on its specific micro-climate.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eThe Historical Blunder:\u003c\/span\u003e For over a century, botanists found these different variations and mistakenly named them as entirely separate species. Plants with dark purple undersides, giant round leaves, or narrow arrow-shapes were cataloged under completely different scientific names (like \u003cem\u003eAlocasia lowii\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eAlocasia denudata\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eAlocasia grandis\u003c\/em\u003e).\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eThe Modern Correction:\u003c\/span\u003e It wasn't until modern genetic testing and closer evaluation that scientists realized all of these radically different-looking plants were actually \u003cspan\u003ejust one highly variable species group\u003c\/span\u003e. They collapsed dozens of \"distinct species\" synonyms back into the single umbrella of \u003cem\u003eAlocasia longiloba\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe 'Purple Prince' is a specially selected cultivar derived from this wild genetic lottery. It permanently locked in the deepest, most extreme metallic-purple traits that the species only occasionally showed in the wild.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 role=\"heading\"\u003eA Couple More \"Mini\" Fun Facts:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eThe Camera Shy Plant:\u003c\/span\u003e Plant collectors frequently note that the 'Purple Prince' is notoriously hard to photograph. The deep, metallic eggplant-purple coloration and neon-green midrib absorb and reflect light in a way that regular digital camera sensors struggle to accurately capture, meaning it always looks much more vibrant in person than it does on a screen.\u003cspan\u003e [8] \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eThirst Signals:\u003c\/span\u003e While some plants slowly wither when dry, the heavy, elongated arrow-leaves of a mature 'Purple Prince' act like a dramatic mechanical switch. The moment it gets thirsty, the long petioles completely flop over to tell you it needs water, but they will stiffen right back up into an architectural \"mask\" stance within hours of a deep soak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAlocasia longiloba 'Purple Prince'\u003c\/span\u003e is a highly sought-after, rare tropical houseplant known for its stunning, deep-purple foliage. While regular forms of \u003cem\u003eAlocasia longiloba\u003c\/em\u003e features silver-green leaves with purple undersides, the 'Purple Prince' cultivar stands out because the tops of its mature leaves display intense, metallic eggplant-purple and magenta tones with a starkly contrasting light green or neon-like central vein.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 role=\"heading\"\u003eStandout Visual Characteristics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eArrowhead Shape:\u003c\/span\u003e It has elongated, deeply lobed sagittate (arrow-shaped) leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eIntense Coloration:\u003c\/span\u003e The top blade is a deep, dark purple that catches the light with a glossy sheen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eNeon Center Line:\u003c\/span\u003e A bright yellow-green midrib streaks right down the middle, creating a dramatic contrast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eMaturing Effects:\u003c\/span\u003e As leaves grow and mature, they maintain their dark purple color but lose a bit of their initial glassy reflection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2 role=\"heading\"\u003eGrowth and Care Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eCompared to more common elephant ears, 'Purple Prince' is a collector's plant that requires specific conditions to keep its vibrant, dark coloration.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/span\u003e It is a notoriously \u003cspan\u003eslow grower\u003c\/span\u003e. It can take a long time to push out its first few leaves when propagated from small tissue cultures or corms.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eLight:\u003c\/span\u003e Needs \u003cspan\u003ebright, indirect light\u003c\/span\u003e. Insufficient lighting causes the deep purple colors to fade back into standard green.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eHumidity \u0026amp; Temperature:\u003c\/span\u003e Thrives in a highly humid environment (like a greenhouse cabinet) with stable, warm temperatures above 15°C (59°F).\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/span\u003e Performs incredibly well when grown in semi-hydroponics, such as \u003cspan\u003eFluval Stratum or Pon\u003c\/span\u003e, though well-draining rich aroid soil mixes also work.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eToxicity:\u003c\/span\u003e Like all members of the \u003cem\u003eAlocasia\u003c\/em\u003e genus, it contains calcium oxalate crystals and is \u003cspan\u003etoxic to pets and humans\u003c\/span\u003e if ingested. \u003cem\u003eNote: Some commercial wholesale listings state otherwise, but standard botanical consensus warns that Alocasia foliage is harmful if chewed.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eSingle Plantlet unless stated otherwise.🔥 \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead full shop policies before buying\/bidding. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1-0KmB9iqXFBjhD09dKLrefivixS4fF81nRxqJEt7t1g\/edit?usp=drivesdk\"\u003ehttps:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1-0KmB9iqXFBjhD09dKLrefivixS4fF81nRxqJEt7t1g\/edit?usp=drivesdk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Photos are description only.  Sellers Choice.  \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease buy responsibly—no cancellations, refunds, or returns. Holds may be added as needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDid you read the shop policies? Please do that so no one is surprised. Seriously. ❤️ 🌱 \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1-0KmB9iqXFBjhD09dKLrefivixS4fF81nRxqJEt7t1g\/edit?usp=drivesdk\"\u003ehttps:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1-0KmB9iqXFBjhD09dKLrefivixS4fF81nRxqJEt7t1g\/edit?usp=drivesdk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Soil and Social","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50541499187393,"sku":null,"price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0871\/0268\/5377\/files\/images-199.jpg?v=1787943141","url":"https:\/\/soilandsocial.com\/products\/alocasia-longiloba-purple-prince","provider":"Soil and Social","version":"1.0","type":"link"}