Alocasia is a genus of about 80 tuberous perennials in the arum family, according to NC State Extension. They come from the rainy tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and eastern Australia. All are grown for their leaves: large, heart- or arrow-shaped and often boldly veined, which is why they share the name elephant’s ear.
The RHS describes them as warm, humid plants for bright but not direct light, with a winter rest. That care is shared across the genus. What differs between types is leaf texture, colour and, above all, size. Some stay under 50 cm; others reach several metres outdoors.
16 alocasia varieties at a glance
Descriptions are from NC State Extension, UF/IFAS and the RHS. “Bright indirect” is the light the RHS gives for the genus.
| Alocasia | Leaf | Size | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| × amazonica ‘Polly’ | Dark green, silvery-green veins, glossy | Compact: 30–60 cm (1–2 ft) | Bright indirect | Most widely available |
| × amazonica ‘Bambino’ | Glossy dark green arrowheads, bold light green or white veins | Dwarf | Bright indirect | — |
| × amazonica ‘Ivory Coast’ | Deep green, silvery-green veins; stems turn light pink | — | Bright indirect | — |
| A. micholitziana ‘Frydek’ | Narrow, velvety, dark green, bright white veins, burgundy undersides | 30–90 cm (1–3 ft) | Bright indirect | Velvet type |
| ’Frydek’ variegated | Light green, dark green and white variegation | 60–90 cm (2–3 ft) | Bright indirect | — |
| A. reginula ‘Black Velvet’ | Thick, textured, dark green to black, silver veins | Small: up to 45 cm (1.5 ft) | Bright indirect | Velvet type |
| A. baginda ‘Dragon Scale’ | Thick, textured, silvery green, dark green veins | Compact | Bright indirect | NC State calls it rare |
| ’Silver Dragon’ | Broad, silvery green with a scale-like pattern of dark green veins | About 50 cm (20 in) | Bright indirect | Needs 15 °C (59 °F) in winter |
| A. cuprea ‘Red Secret’ | Deeply ridged, copper-green maturing to metallic red, black veins | — | Bright indirect | Maroon undersides |
| A. zebrina | Large, dark green arrowheads on zebra-striped stems | Up to 90 cm (3 ft) tall and wide | Bright indirect | Striped stems |
| A. sanderiana (kris plant) | Glossy dark green, white or silver veins, wavy or serrated edges | — | Bright indirect | Leaf shaped like a kris dagger |
| ’Sarian’ | Upright, dark green arrowheads, bright white main veins | 1.5–3 m (5–10 ft) | Bright indirect | A. zebrina × A. micholitziana |
| ’Stingray’ | Glossy light green, long drawn-out tip like a ray’s tail | 0.9–1.5 m (3–5 ft) | Bright indirect | Novelty leaf shape |
| A. lauterbachiana | Long, spear-shaped, wavy-edged | — | Bright indirect | Listed by the RHS |
| A. odora | Upright, glossy, bright green arrowheads | 1.2–2.4 m (4–8 ft) outdoors | Bright indirect | Giant |
| A. macrorrhizos (giant taro) | Glossy, ruffled arrowheads 0.9–1.8 m (3–6 ft) long | Up to 4.6 m (15 ft) outdoors | Bright indirect | Giant |
NC State lists × amazonica under the name Alocasia × mortfontanensis (A. longiloba × A. sanderi). Sizes for the giants are outdoor figures from UF/IFAS. The RHS houseplant guide gives A. macrorrhizos and A. odora as reaching about 1.5 m (5 ft).
Polly and the amazonica group
NC State describes Alocasia × amazonica as having large, smooth, thick, arrowhead-shaped leaves with silvery to lime-white veins and purple undersides. Plants range from 30 cm to 1.2 m (1–4 ft) tall.
- ‘Polly’ is the compact form, up to 60 cm (2 ft). The RHS calls it one of the most widely available alocasias. A. amazonica holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit, given after it performed well in trials.
- ‘Bambino’ is a dwarf with bold light green or white veins.
- ‘Ivory Coast’ has silvery-green veins, and its stems turn light pink as they mature.
NC State’s care notes for this group: bright, indirect light, moist but well-drained soil, warmth and high humidity. Keep the air above 16 °C (60 °F). Direct sun can scorch the leaves.
See our guides to spider mites on Alocasia Polly and alocasia humidity.
Velvet and jewel alocasias
These are the smaller, textured types bought for leaf colour rather than size.
‘Frydek’ (A. micholitziana) has narrow, velvety, dark green leaves with bright white veins and burgundy undersides. UF/IFAS lists it at 30–90 cm (1–3 ft) and a variegated form at 60–90 cm (2–3 ft). If yours droops or yellows, see Alocasia Frydek drooping and Frydek yellow leaves.
‘Black Velvet’ (A. reginula) reaches only about 45 cm (1.5 ft). Its thick leaves are near-black with silver veins.
‘Dragon Scale’ (A. baginda) has thick, textured, silvery-green leaves with dark green veins. NC State lists it as rare and compact.
‘Silver Dragon’ is named for the scale pattern on its broad, silvery-green leaves. The RHS gives it a height of about 50 cm. It also asks for more winter warmth than the genus: keep it above 15 °C (59 °F) and water minimally in winter. The RHS recommends a peat-free houseplant compost with added grit, and a tray of moist gravel for humidity. Our Silver Dragon care guide covers it in detail.
‘Red Secret’ (A. cuprea) has deeply ridged leaves that open copper-green and mature to metallic red, with maroon undersides.
Upright statement types
A. zebrina is named for its stems. NC State describes white and green striped stalks under large, dark green arrowheads, reaching about 90 cm (3 ft) tall and wide.
‘Sarian’ is a cross of A. zebrina and A. micholitziana, with upright, boldly veined arrowheads. NC State gives it 1.5–3 m (5–10 ft) tall, so plan for a large pot and a high ceiling.
‘Stingray’ has leaves with a long, drawn-out tip, like the ray’s tail. UF/IFAS lists it at 0.9–1.5 m (3–5 ft). A. sanderiana, the kris plant, has glossy leaves with silver veins and wavy or serrated edges, and A. lauterbachiana has long, spear-shaped, wavy-edged leaves.
Giant elephant ears
A. macrorrhizos and A. odora are the big ones. NC State gives giant taro leaves 0.9–1.8 m (3–6 ft) long, and UF/IFAS gives it up to 4.6 m (15 ft) outdoors. NC State notes that potted plants usually do not reach full height. Choose these for a large, warm room or a summer patio, not a shelf.
Care that applies to every alocasia
From the RHS growing guide and NC State Extension:
- Light: bright but indirect. Strong sun scorches the leaves; in low light, growth is much slower.
- Temperature: above 16 °C (60 °F) from spring to autumn, out of cold draughts. Never below 10 °C (50 °F).
- Water: from April to October, water once the top 5 cm (2 in) of compost is dry.
- Winter: a rest in cooler, drier conditions. Reduce watering to a minimum; some leaf loss is normal, and new leaves follow in spring.
- Humidity: medium to high. Low humidity browns leaf edges and favours red spider mite.
- Compost: about three parts peat-free houseplant compost to one part grit. Pot up only about 5 cm (2 in) wider each time.
- Propagation: separate offsets in spring, or divide the rhizome in late spring. See our corm and pup propagation guide.
- Problems: NC State lists spider mites, aphids and mealybugs, and notes that overwatering causes root rot and leaf spots.
Our alocasia care guide covers watering and diagnosis. For brown spots on alocasia, see the dedicated guide, and the alocasia plant hub for other problems.
Pets
The ASPCA lists Alocasia species as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Insoluble calcium oxalates cause oral irritation, pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue and lips, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. NC State and UF/IFAS note the sap can also cause contact dermatitis, and the RHS advises wearing gloves when handling or dividing alocasias. For alternatives, see our pet-safe plants guide.
References
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Alocasia (genus and cultivars), Alocasia × amazonica (A. × mortfontanensis)
- UF/IFAS Extension, K. Graves et al. (rev. 2025): Alocasia spp.: Elephant’s Ear, Alocasia, Taro, FPS 33
- Royal Horticultural Society: How to grow alocasias, Alocasia ‘Silver Dragon’
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Alocasia