Alocasia cuprea guide
Alocasia cuprea, also called red secret alocasia, mirror plant, 'Red Secret'
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- When the top 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) of soil is dry
- Humidity
- 60% or higher
- Temperature
- 18 to 27°C (65 to 80°F). Keep above 15°C (60°F).
- Soil
- Chunky, airy mix with orchid bark and perlite
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer monthly in spring and summer
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing causes mouth pain, drooling, and swelling.
- Difficulty
- Fussy
- Mature size
- 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) tall
- Propagation
- Divide the clump, or pot up the small corms in the roots
- Where to buy
- Collector
This page covers what makes alocasia cuprea different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the alocasia care guide.
What it is
Alocasia cuprea has thick, oval, quilted leaves with a shiny, metallic copper and purple sheen. In the right light, the leaves look like polished metal. The undersides are deep purple-red. It comes from Borneo. ‘Red Secret’ is the common named form.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Cuprea | Coppery purple, metallic shine | Copper sheen and deep quilting |
| ‘Dragon Scale’ alocasia | Silvery green, dark veins | Green and silver, not copper |
| ‘Black Velvet’ alocasia | Near-black velvet | Matte velvet, not shiny |
Care differences
Cuprea is fussier than most alocasias. It wants humidity of 60% or more and steady warmth, above 18°C (65°F). A glass cabinet or a spot by a humidifier helps.
Use a chunky, airy mix. Let the top 2 to 3 cm (1 in) dry before watering.
Grow it from corms
Look for corms when you repot. Set them in moist sphagnum in a warm, humid spot.
Pet safety
Like all alocasias, it is toxic to cats and dogs.
Buying it
Cuprea is sold at specialty plant shops and online. Ask how it was grown. A plant from a humid greenhouse may drop a leaf or two as it adjusts to your home.