HouseplantsDiscover the right indoor plants for your home.
' Frydek ' ( Alocasia micholitziana’Frydek ' ) . photograph by : Proven winner
show off some of the bluff foliage in the houseplant realm , Alocasia , or elephant ’s ear , joins the ranks of industrial plant likeMonsteraandDieffenbachiafor its power to instantly fill a room with leafy lushness . The profoundly veined leaves , some acquire to more than a foot long , almost look prehistoric because of their challenging raiment of reptilian patterns and color .
Despite their exotic appearance , elephant ear will thrive indoors if give optimal conditions . And though some plant can grow to tree diagram - alike proportions in their native home ground , you ’ll find plenty of varieties little enough to display on a tabletop or in a well - unhorse corner , allowing you to make elephant ’s ear the focal item of any sunny elbow room .
On this page : Basics|Growing Tips|Care|Varieties|Troubleshooting
On this page :
BASICS
Botanical name:
Alocasiaspp .
Common names:
Elephant ’s pinna , African mask plant , giant taro
Origin:
Native to subtropic regions of Asia and eastern Australia .
Growth rate:
tight
Size:
Typically 2 to 6 foot tall and across-the-board when develop as a houseplant . you may also find compact build , sometimes call “ jewel elephant ear , ” that range in height from 1 to 2 feet .
Foliage:
Heart- or arrow - shaped , sometimes having crinkly leaf edges . Colors range from solid to variegate , in shades of gray , green , silver , maroon , or white . Leaf texture can variegate too , from smooth and glossy to rich and velvety . Depending on the cultivar , the leaves can be as small as a few inches long to as with child as 3 foot in duration and width .
Flowers:
May occasionally produce creamy white or sluttish light-green spathes , similar to those of its aroid cousin , thepeace lily .
Are alocasia plants toxic?
Yes ! All parts of the plant contain Ca oxalate crystals that are toxic to wiener and cats . The sap can also irritate the skin and eyes . Keep out of scope of children and pet ( see thisguidance from the ASPCA ) . Also , wear glove when handling the plant .
2024 Houseplant of the Year:
mythical ® Dragonite ™ alocasia .
GROWING ALOCASIA PLANTS
Light:
Place in a location that receives smart , indirect light , such as near an east- or west - face windowpane . Keep out of direct sunlight , which can sear the foliage .
Temperature:
Native to tropic forests and jungle , Alocasialove greenhouse - like status , with room temperature between 65 ° to 80 ° F. Keep away from moth-eaten draft , and do n’t bring out plants to temperature below 60 ° F. Also avoid site near heating or cool outlet .
Humidity:
Like most tropic plants , Alocasiaflourish in humid environments and favour humidity stratum of 50 % or higher , which can be a challenge to maintain indoors . In dry area of the domicile , keep your plant life hydrated by using a humidifier , obnubilate the leaves regularly , or fructify them on a tray filled with pebbles and piddle .
Soil type:
expend a loose , well - draining potting mix that has good moisture memory , such as a soillessaroid potting mix . Or remediate a even potting mix by adding perlite to improve drain , and ground coconut coir for moisture control .
Propagation:
Alocasia plants can be circularise by dividing the rhizomes or separating offsets during repotting . Use a clear , sharp knife to split up a healthy offset with origin attached , and replant it in clean ground . Keep it in a tender , humid maculation with collateral brightness level until established . * See notes below on propagating patented works ( find out your plant tags for ® or ™ symbols next to the plant name ) .
GROWING ALOCASIAS OUTDOORS
Alocasiacan be grown in the garden as a perennial in geographical zone 9 to 11 and as a summer annual elsewhere , planted in a localization that receives dappled sunlight , such as under a covered porch or tree canopy . If you want to winter your plants indoors , produce them in pots and bring them at bottom if temperature are expected to dip below 60 ° F for a extended period .
Learn elephant ear plantsin the garden .
ALOCASIA CARE
Watering:
Alocasias are very finicky about their water requirements and do n’t wish soil that ’s either too juiceless or too soggy . During the dynamic grow time of year ( spring through tumble ) , urine regularly to keep the grunge evenly moist , or whenever the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch . During the wintertime , when works are dormant , water supply less frequently .
Alocasias are also sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals and mineral in hydrant water , which can cause leaf spotting . Use distill or dribble piss , or let tap water sit overnight to grant the chemical to evaporate .
Fertilizing:
flow with a diluted liquid plant food for houseplant once or twice a calendar month during the growing season ( give and summertime ) , deduct fertilizer during the late fall and wintertime dormancy time period . Resume your feeding docket once your plant returns to life in spring .
Pruning:
Because elephant ’s ears are tight - growing , it is normal for older leaves to turn browned and wither as new leaves appear . To keep your plants attractive , remove any dead or discolored foliage by cut back the leafage chaff at its substructure using a clean knife or script trimmer . Be sure to wear off glove to avoid tegument contact with the cosh from the cut stems .
Leaf care:
The large leaves of alocasia are expectant junk collectors . To keep them nice and hefty , clean house them often with a damp cloth , which will improve their power to take in light . Misting the leaves will also facilitate keep them complimentary of dust buildup .
Repotting:
Alocasiaprefers to be slightly potbound , so repotting is only necessary when you acknowledge the etymon press through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot or come forth from the soil open . select a new pot about 1 to 2 inches orotund in diameter than the original , preferably a nonporous plastic or ceramic container that wo n’t wick moisture out of the soil .
Even if you do n’t need to repot , it ’s a skilful idea fill again the soil every couple of years to improve plant health .
Because alocasias grow from tuberous rhizomes , the easy way of life to propagate them is to divide the rootstock into sections . Remove your plant from its can , excite off the excess soil , and gently rally the roots aside to separate the offset from the mother industrial plant , taking tending to leave the rootage system of rules on each incision entire . For the slap-up success , broadcast your elephant ’s ear during the springiness or early summertime , when the plant life is come out of winter quiescency .
Pests and diseases:
Keep an centre out forspider mites , mealybug , thrips , andaphids . ( See more onhow to get rid of pests on houseplants . ) elephant ear are also prone to root putrefaction if admit to pose in soggy soil . Make indisputable there are sufficient drainage holes in the bottom of the peck so supererogatory H2O will run out completely .
ALOCASIA VARIETIES
Photo by : Proven Winners
Mythic ® Jungle Music ™ —Buy now from Proven WinnersAlocasia amazonica
fabulous ® Jungle Music ™ captivates with average greenish , arrowhead - mold leaves atop discover zebra - striped leafstalk . A stocky version ofAlocasia zebrina , it offers the same rainforest charm with little parting and shorter stems , perfect for indoor place .
More Info & retrieve a Local leafjoy ® Retailer
mythological ® Longiloba — Buy now from Proven WinnersAlocasia longilobaAfrican masquerade works
Mythic ® Longiloba showcases inscrutable green leaves with striking white veining atop chocolatey - purple leafstalk . Its elongated , striking foliage adds bold elegance , boom indoors with a polished , shiny facial expression that ’s certain to move .
mythological ® pin for You ™ —Buy now from Proven WinnersAlocasia scalprum
This compact elephant’s ear has deep greenish , leathery , arrowhead leaf etched with intricate veining . Its quirky magic spell lie in the way its glossy foliage crook and curl , adding whimsical grain to any space .
mythical ® Rumpelstiltskin ™ —Buy now from Proven WinnersAlocasia sinuate
Mythic ® Rumpelstiltskin ™ features duncical , crumple leaves in streak shades of green , remindful of its storybook namesake . While it wo n’t twirl straw into amber , its enchanting texture and whimsical charm sum up a touch of magic to any blank .
Mythic ® ' Frydek’Alocasia micholitziana
normally called “ greenish velvet ” because of the velvety texture of its deeply lobed leaves , which are heavily engrave with creamy whitened veins that are visible even from a space . reach a height of 2 to 3 pes , with the leaves growing up to 18 inch in distance .
Photo by : Kraiwit Settee / Shutterstock
' Polly’Alocasia amazonica’Polly '
A heavyset potpourri featuring lavish dark-skinned unripe foliage accented by prominent ashen veining , wavelike edges , and maroon undersides . Grows up to 2 groundwork tall and wide , with the arrowhead - shaped leaves reaching up to 16 in in duration .
Photo by : Karl Gercens / Flickr
' Tiny Dancer’Alocasia’Tiny terpsichorean '
This strange cross has dainty foliage ( by alocasia standard ) that appear to trip the light fantastic toe and sway above the slender greenish stalks . The stems emerge at different time , give the works an elegant , tiered look .
picture by : weerastudio / Shutterstock
Giant TaroAlocasia maccrorrhiza
Also phone “ giant elephant ’s auricle ” because of its telling stature and super - sized leaves , this massive industrial plant can raise to 6 animal foot or taller and is everlasting for stool a sheer statement on a porch , patio , or front entryway . Unlike the foliage of most elephant ’s ears , the calendered lime - fleeceable leaves point up , held upright by thick , sturdy stem .
See moreMythic ® alocasia plantsfrom the leafjoy ® contrast from Proven Winners .
TROUBLESHOOTING COMMON PROBLEMS: ALOCASIA
- REGARDING PROPAGATION : When it comes to distribute patented plants , there are strict rules in place proscribe reproduction or generation of these plants in any way . This stand for you ca n’t reproduce them ( even for use in your own garden ) , betray them , or get them into the body politic without permission . The practice of law does not make exclusion for what some might turn over minor misdemeanour . Any unauthorized usage of patent plant is consider an violation .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne Balogh is a longtime gardening author and editor for Garden Design , with over 20 yr of experience covering everything from container planting to landscape trends . She draws aspiration from her own Zone 5 garden in Illinois , where she experiments with hardy perennials and flowering annual .
