Of all the ornamental plant you’re able to spring up indoors , Alocasias are among my favorite . Maybe it ’s because I live in Central Oregon where winter seems to last half the year , but the prominent leaf on these headspring - turning plant never miscarry to make my home feel like a tropical hideout .
Alocasia is a genus of broad - leaved perennial flowering plant from the phratry Araceae ( otherwise bed as the arum ) , contain 97 recognized species that are aboriginal to tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia . Many more variety show of Alocasia live through hybridization .
study more : What Are Cultivars , Varieties , Hybrids and More : Layman ’s usher to Plant Taxonomy
They range wildly in size , from species that stay compact at just 1 to 2 feet , to plants that turn over 12 feet tall with leaves sweep 3 feet in duration .
For the nonchalant plant lover , however , the majority of Alocasias trade in flora workshop and garden centre of attention are on the smaller side — a special subgroup of tropic aroids recognize as Jewel Alocasias — making them more manageable as houseplant .
And “ jewel ” is quite a meet name , as they include the jewels of the modern houseplant boom , such asAlocasia amazonica ‘ Polly,’Alocasia baginda ‘ Dragon Scale , ’ and Alocasia rugosa ‘ Melo . ’
The Jewel Alocasias are noteworthy rain forest specimens with unique leaf textures , shape , and variegation . You may have listen of them refer to as elephant ear , a common name break to several species of interchangeable - look plant with large , heart - influence leaves belonging to the genus Alocasia , Colocasia , and Xanthosoma .
elephant’s ear are the plants you ’ll typically find growing indoors . They ’re well known as upright elephant ear , since the leave in each unexampled thump grow vertically — that is , higher than the previous clump , while stay nearly the same breadth — rather than horizontally like most other tropical specie .
Unless you ’re lucky enough to live somewhere with an amazing speciality plant shop , the salutary station to corrupt Alocasias ( particularly Alocasia varieties that are less commonly usable ) is on-line , and I ’ve linked to my favorite sources below .
revelation : If you shop from my article or make a purchase through one of my links , I may find commissions on some of the product I recommend .
Where to buy Alocasia plants :
Best types of Alocasias
While they ’re not the easiest indoor plants to keep alive ( compared to say , Chinese evergreens , wandering Jew , orspider plants , which are among my top selection for beginner ) , Alocasias are very much worth the effort if you love a tropical jungle vibe in your place . ( Do n’t occupy , I ’ve got you : down below , you ’ll chance my best tips on manage for your Alocasia . )
But first , I ’ve listed my favorite rarified and more coarse variety of Jewel Alocasias ( with coinage names , common names , and scene ) to help you select the perfect flora for your place .
1. Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’
By far , ‘ Polly ’ is the most pop and promptly available Alocasia variety ( at least in the United States ) . Also hump as the African Mask plant or Kris plant , it ’s a hybrid of Alocasia watsoniana and Alocasia sanderiana that was bred in the fifties by greenhouse possessor Salvadore Mauro . The Florida grower owned a now - defunct nursery call Amazon Nursery and named the flora hybrid after his commercial enterprise . Alocasia ‘ Polly ’ has slender , dark gullible leaves with wavy , undulating edges and compact white veins tend through them .
It ’s a jolly compact plant , develop no more than 18 to 24 inch in acme and 10 inches in width , with leaf arrive at up to 16 column inch long .
2. Alocasia amazonica ‘Bambino’
Even smaller than ‘ Polly ’ is ‘ Bambino , ’ a dwarf variety of the already compact Alocasia x amazonica . Alocasia ‘ Bambino ’ has deep fleeceable , arrowhead leaves with silver green vein and empurpled undersides .
The plant grows up to 12 inches in stature and width , with leave that generally sweep 6 inch farsighted and 2 inches broad . It ’s the perfect works for modest spaces !
3. Alocasia amazonica ‘Ivory Coast’
A military post shared by Planterday : fluid plant store ( @planter.day )
A loanblend of Alocasia x amazonica and Alocasia ‘ Aurora , ’ the arrow - shaped leaves on this stunning cultivar resemble other Alocasia x amazonica species , but without the rippled , crinkled edge . It is fast - growing and well - branched with brown - streaked , blushing pink petioles .
Alocasia amazonica ‘ Ivory Coast ’ quickly grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet and a width of 2 to 3 groundwork .
4. Alocasia micholitziana ‘Frydek’
Alocasia micholitziana ‘ Frydek , ’ commonly called Green Velvet Alocasia , resembles Alocasia ‘ Polly ’ in its world-wide size and leaf coming into court , but is a little heavy to discover commercially . The industrial plant have velvety ( as opposed to lustrous ) dark green parting with wavy boundary and glowing lily-white veins .
This medium - sized variety ( as far as Alocasia plant life go ) arise 2 to 3 groundwork tall when mature and is slightly narrower than it is tall . The farewell average out 18 inch long when in full grown .
5. Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet’
If you ’re look for a darker and more mysterious flora , Black Velvet Alocasia(also know as Little Queen ) is correctly up your back street . The foliage develops a plenteous , almost - shameful color with silvery white venous blood vessel , and has sort of a velvety texture . The heart - shaped farewell are thicker than most Alocasias and nearly succulent - like .
Black Velvet Alocasia grows to about 12 inch tall and 18 inches widely , giving it a bushy show than other Alocasia types .
6. Alocasia infernalis ‘Black Magic’
A Charles William Post shared by Anita ( @houseplant_whisperer )
Even darker than ‘ Black Velvet ’ is Alocasia infernalis ‘ dim Magic . ’ Its metal violet - black leafage deepens as the plant matures , and in the right twinkle , the leave seem to shimmer with a cryptical crimson gleam . If you enjoy a moody , glamourous - look plant , this is it !
‘ Black Magic ’ grows to about 15 column inch tall and 6 inches wide , with leaves reaching up to 6 inches long .
7. Alocasia rugosa ‘Melo’
A post shared by Pokok Man ( @pokok.man )
This Jewel Alocasia has the thickest and most deep ridged leaves , to the point where you might slip it for an hokey industrial plant ! The rough - textured , strumpet green to blue - light-green leaves ( which face and feel almost like composition board ) have large , intricate vein .
With a spectacular , shrub - like shape , Alocasia ‘ Melo ’ maturate 1 to 2 infantry tall with leave spanning up to 20 inch long and 10 column inch wide .
8. Alocasia maharani ‘Grey Dragon’
A post share by Pat Preawpun ( @patpreawpun )
If you ’re call up ‘ Grey Dragon ’ looks quite exchangeable to ‘ Melo , ’ you ’re right — it ’s a hybrid of Alocasia rugosa ‘ Melo ’ and Alocasia reginula . This is one of the rare varieties of Alocasias , with muted , silver deep green foliage .
compare to other plants in the genus , ‘ Grey Dragon ’ is somewhat dwarf in size . It seldom grows taller than 14 inches and its leaves span up to 6 inches long .
9. Alocasia baginda ‘Dragon Scale’
As one of the most arresting Jewel Alocasia varieties , ‘ Dragon Scale ’ boast salient , silvern unripened farewell with mysterious greenish main and secondary veins that resemble large scales ( and are also slenderly season like scales ) . The underside , meanwhile , are cream with bold burgundy veins .
Alocasia baginda ‘ Dragon Scale ’ grows up to 3 infantry in stature and about half that size in width .
10. Alocasia baginda ‘Silver Dragon’
A berth shared by Undergreen ( @undergreen_france )
This cultivar is highly sought after for its strange and exquisite leafage . Similar to ‘ Dragon Scale , ’ Alocasia baginda ‘ Silver Dragon ’ features pale , silvern blue leaf with basal and lowly vein that are sage green to sour green in colouring material .
It ’s a fairly compact flora that seldom get through more than 3 foot in height and width , and even fully turn leaves stay put small at about 6 inches in length .
11. Alocasia zebrina
A mail share by Leaves and ink ( @leaves.and.ink )
This unequaled Alocasia sportswoman the characteristic shield - shaped leafage of the relief of the genus , but without the distinctive blank vein that black market through the leaves . One look atAlocasia zebrinaand you’re able to guess how it got its name : its petioles are adorned with black and lily-livered markings remindful of zebra print .
Alocasia zebrina produce to a maximum altitude and width of about 3 feet .
12. Alocasia zebrina ‘Reticulata’
A stake shared by Plant life ( @natura_khuyay )
‘ Reticulata ’ is a cultivar of Alocasia zebrina , which means it bears the distinctive zebra photographic print - alike pattern on its petioles . What makes it different , however , is its equally typical leaf reticulation ( an interlacing pattern resemble a meshing ) that you wo n’t find on other Alocasia plants .
This strange mixed bag reaches up to 3 feet in superlative and about the same size in width .
13. Alocasia macrorrhiza ‘Stingray’ and ‘Baby Ray’
A post shared by Katie Pennington ( @the_potted_plant_club )
This Alocasia is unique in that it share the same zebra - esque scoring of Alocasia zebrina , but with a completely dissimilar leaf human body . The rounder , ribbed farewell point upwardly and outwards with a recollective , whip - like seat at the terminal end , resembling a stingray with its “ wings ” and sharp tail .
Alocasia macrorrhiza ‘ Stingray ’ typically reaches 3 to 5 feet in height , but ‘ Baby Ray ’ ( a dwarf strain of ‘ Stingray ’ ) maxes out at 2 to 3 base tall .
14. Alocasia cuprea ‘Red Secret’
This cultivar is a standout among Alocasias with its striking red - pinkish foliage . Young leaves emerge as coppery green with a pink shininess , and over prison term rise into a more saturated rich dark-green while retaining that touch pinkish opalescence . The vein are so dark that they almost appear grim .
Alocasia cuprea ‘ Red Secret ’ pass on up to 3 feet in height and width , with leaf spanning 12 to 18 inches in distance .
15. Alocasia cucullata ‘Hooded Dwarf’
A spot share by SKK.Sepeda_Kopi_Kaktus ( @sepeda.kopi.kaktus )
Alocasia cucullata ‘ Hooded Dwarf ’ is also known as Buddha ’s Hand , as it ’s thought to bring good chance and can be found in Buddhistic temple across Thailand and Laos . The glossy , emerald green leaves have prominent veins on the undersides and wavy , upturned leaf margins .
As you may guess by the name , ‘ Hooded Dwarf ’ is diminished than some other Alocasia varieties , reaching a maximal tiptop and width of 3 infantry with leaves cross up to 12 column inch long .
16. Alocasia macrorrhizos ‘Giant Taro’
As one of the large Jewel Alocasia assortment , Alocasia macrorrhiza is also known as ‘ Giant dalo ’ because of its impose stature ( though it ’s not to be obscure with Colocasia , the dasheen plant grown for its comestible tubers ) . It has monolithic , arrow - regulate , lustrous green leaves that tend to stay more vertical on the leaf stalks than other type of Alocasias .
As a houseplant contained in a large pot , ‘ Giant Taro ’ grows up to 6 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide , with leave-taking spanning 3 feet long .
17. Alocasia longiloba
A mail share by Monsteras_lover ( @monsteras_lover )
This cultivar is known for its narrow-minded and dramatic shell - shape leafage . The topside of the leaves are bluish - green with silver white blade margins and primary vein , while the underside is a dramatic deep purple chromaticity .
Alocasia longiloba stays comparatively compact with a height and width maxing out at 1 to 3 feet , but with great leaf that span 2 to 3 feet tenacious and 12 to 15 inches wide .
18. Alocasia wentii
A post share by SLD 🌿 Bitki & Aksesuar ( @sld.botanik )
Alocasia wentii is noted for its declamatory , recondite green leafage with surprising over-embellished - bronze undersides . The leaves have an stretch heart shape that run into a point to create what ’s known as a “ drip bakshis , ” which allows H2O to neatly drop down off the leaf .
This variety strain 3 to 4 feet grandiloquent when to the full grown , with Brobdingnagian leafage sweep up to 3 feet farsighted to form a dramatic canopy .
19. Alocasia lauterbachiana ‘Purple Sword’
A post shared by Caroline – SE QLD Australia ( @carolinescollectivebrisbane )
It ’s light to see where Alocasia lauterbachiana ‘ Purple Sword ’ gets its name from : the longsighted , narrow-minded leafage with their scalloped edges have a spectacular sword - like appearance . While the top side is shining green , the bottom is a contrasting coppery purple hue .
Mature plant grow up to 4 feet marvelous and 3 to 4 foundation wide . The farewell , which are longer and narrow than other Alocasia varieties , reach 2 foot long but only 2 inches all-encompassing .
20. Alocasia plumbae ‘Flying Squid’
A post shared by Rykiel ( @just1moreplant _ )
talk of long , narrow leaves , they do n’t get any narrower than Alocasia plumbae ‘ Flying Squid . ’ This unusual variety reminds me of an breeze plant(Tillandsia)with its weird , wildly crook petiole that resemble squid arms . Look closely and you ’ll see that the tubular maroon stalks end in tiny , pointed foliage .
The diminutive plant only grows to 12 inches tall and has a curt lifespan , average out 5 years .
21. Alocasia portei
Also known as the Malaysian Monster , Alocasia portei is sincerely a showstopper with some of the most striking foliage of all the Alocasias . The large - grow mintage feature distinctive , deep lobate leaves that remind me of arugula — a giant , tropical arugula !
When fully grow , Alocasia portei reach 5 to 8 feet in height with tremendous leaves traverse 3 to 4 feet in length .
22. Alocasia odora variegata
This variegated Alocasia has large , heart - shaped , promising green leaves streak with lily-white to blench dark-green pinpoint and dapple . Every leafage shows a different pattern and ratio of color , with some leave coming out unanimous green and some coming out almost solid bloodless , make for quite a unique plant .
Alocasia odora variegata is a nanus variety that grow 3 to 4 feet tall with farewell sweep 16 inch long .
23. Alocasia nebula ‘Imperialis’
A post shared by Uncle Greyhound ( @unclegreyhounds_exotics )
Last but certainly not least is Alocasia nebula ‘ Imperialis , ’ most often touted as one of the most beautiful and rare Jewel Alocasias in the cosmos . The very thick , leathery leaves swash a inscrutable Green River to bluish - gray hue on top with a wine-coloured - red underside and dominant veins operate through . The petiole are abstemious light-green with merlot specks .
Alocasia nebula ‘ Imperialis ’ grows 2 to 3 understructure tall with leaves easily reach 17 in in length at adulthood .
How to care for Alocasia indoors
Most Alocasias have similar motive and care instruction since they ’re tight relate . However , it ’s always a good idea to double - check how to deal for your new plant when you bring in it home to make indisputable it thrives . Here are a few tips for growing Alocasia indoors and keep it happy .
Read more : Beginner ’s Guide to Caring for Alocasia ‘ Polly ’ ( Alocasia Amazonica or African Mask Plant )
Light
Alocasia plants prefer shining , mottled igniter . Since they ’re by nature find out in the tropics and semitropics under a canopy of trees , seek to mimic this surroundings at home and keep them away from coarse , direct Dominicus . In the Northern Hemisphere , an E - face window is most ideal , or you’re able to put them about ( but not right in front of ) a Confederate States - face windowpane .
Temperature
As heat - sleep with plants , Alocasias do best in a warm place that stays at least 70 ° fluorine . assay not to countenance the temperature cast too much below 60 ° F , otherwise some Alocasia plants may go dormant and miss all their leaf . keep off placing them near drafty doors or single - paned windows .
Humidity
alocasia necessitate plenty of humidness — at least 50 percent — to be glad . This is one reason the plants have earned their report as prima donna , as they do n’t do well in dry environments . Be careful place your Alocasia too near to a heat source ( like a vent or fireplace ) as this can dry out the breeze too much .
To increase humidness , you may keep your plant in a can or kitchen ( which tend to be the most humid elbow room in the house ) , or group several plant life together to create your own mini hobo camp paradise .
Watering
It ’s no surprisal that Alocasias like wet , but how much and how often to water will count on the amount of sun they get and how humid their environment is .
In summertime , irrigate your Alocasia plant life once or twice a hebdomad . In winter , when growth slows down , water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feel ironic . This may happen every 7 to 10 day , but do n’t allow the dirt go bone dry during the cool calendar month .
A couple clock time a year , give your plant a novel showerin the cesspit or bathtub to cleanse the leave of any junk , dirt , dander , and other particle .
Soil
Alocasias do n’t like standing water , so make trusted your plants are pot in loose , well - draining stain . The expert “ stain ” for your Alocasia is actually a soilless pot mix , and you could make a good , basic potting medium by mix sphagnum moss , bark , andperlitein adequate quantity .
Ingredients for urinate the perfect aroid soil :
you could also buy specialty aroid soil , which is idealistic for not only Alocasias , but alsoMonsteras , Rhaphidophoras , Philodendrons , and orchidaceous plant .
Fertilizer
When it get to fertilizer , Alocasias are thankfully middling low - maintenance . Even during peak grow periods , they do n’t demand much in terms of plant life intellectual nourishment . you may apply a monthly app of diluted liquid houseplant plant food in leap , summertime , and fall . There ’s no need to fertilise in winter when the plants are n’t actively growing .
Recommended fertiliser for Alocasia :
Common questions about Alocasia varieties
How many types of Alocasias are there?
There are 97 recognized types of Alocasias . While these metal money are native to tropic and semitropic Asia and Eastern Australia , many raw Alocasia plant loanblend have been created all over the world , include the ever - popular Alocasia x amazonica and Alocasia ‘ Polly ’ ( which are not accepted specie since they are not found anywhere in aboriginal habitat — or in the Amazon , for that topic ) .
What is the easiest Alocasia to grow?
Alocasia amazonica ‘ Polly ’ is a perennial favorite for a ground . Not only is it the most promptly available Alocasia in garden center and industrial plant store , it ’s fast grow and propagates easy by dividing the roots and replanting the sections in pot soil .
What is the rarest Alocasia?
Alocasia azlanii , also known as Red Mambo , is a comparatively new and rare coinage of Alocasia that initiate in Brunei . Difficult finish , light supply , and rising demand have contributed to prices that often top $ 200 , nominate Alocasia azlanii one of the most expensive and hard - to - find Alocasias as well .
What is the smallest Alocasia?
Several species of Alocasia grow to a compact matured height of no more than 12 inch , include Alocasia reginula ‘ Black Velvet , ’ Alocasia plumbae ‘ Flying Squid , ’ and the intercrossed strain Alocasia amazonica ‘ Bambino . ’
But in term of overall size , Alocasia plumbae ‘ Flying Squid ’ is the smallest since its tiny leaves are nearly the same breadth as its pencil - thin petiole .
What is the most beautiful Alocasia?
Alocasia baginda ‘ Dragon Scale ’ is arguably one of the most stunning Jewel Alocasia mixture . It ’s prized for the distinctive venation and coloration on its farewell , which produce a texture and appearance that resemble large scales .
How can you tell the difference between Alocasia and Colocasia?
Alocasia and Colocasia both belong to the Araceae family ( also known as the tropic aroid family ) so they share similar characteristic . To tell each genus asunder , pay attention to their leave , which show the most obvious departure . If the leaves have crest that luff down , the plant is most likely a Colocasia . If the leaves taper up , the flora is probably an Alocasia .
There are exceptions , of course of study , in particular in hybrid likeAlocasia amazonica ‘ Polly,’which is not a recognized species and has downturned leave-taking .
What’s the difference between Alocasia and Anthurium?
Alocasia andAnthuriumare aboriginal tropical plants that both belong to the Araceae house ( also known as the aroid family ) , which imply they share alike botanical characteristic . But if you ’re seek to tell these two flora aside , attend at their leave-taking and petioles for some clue .
Alocasia leaves incline to be arrow - shaped with a more erect descriptor , whereas Anthurium leaves tend to be heart - shaped and droopy . In Alocasias , the leafstalk grow at once out of the tuber , while the petiole on tailflower develop from the stem turn .
Hybridization of these aroids has led to some exclusion , of class , but this should give you a good starting point for identify your works .
Is Alocasia toxic to cats and dogs?
Alocasia plants do hold back calcium oxalate crystals that cause a burning sensation in the mouth when the leaves are ingested . Keep these houseplant away from curious pets !
View the Web Story onAlocasia variety .
