A way lacking a ornamental , leafy houseplant often appears empty , dull , and forlorn to me . But whenever I crave a bold and alien effect , the many Alocasia smorgasbord immediately take in my eye !
Also make out as elephant ’s ear or jumbo taro , and native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Australia , Alocasia , a rhizomatous flowering and broad - go out perennial , holds a special place in our hearts !
Their good luck charm , I consider , is best capsule by the saying , “ Quality over quantity ! ” Indeed , with alocasias , you may not get many leaf , but each one is an event , a piece of work of fine art , consanguineal to a large canvas or a frescoed rampart !
@as_garden_alcs
Some leaves can even turn over an impressive 5 fundament long ( 150 curium ) ! Coupled with their glossy grain , motley foliage , and modeled shape , they basically become living statue for your living elbow room , office , or garden !
Unlike many other exotic houseplants , Alocasias volitionally bloom indoors , showcasing showy , often large spathes and spadices , remindful ofpeace liliesoranthuriums .
And it ’s hard to find an exotic and tropical genus for both gardens and indoor space , likeAlocasia … With large and smallAlocasiavarieties , foliation of many colors and nuance , they are always incredibly ornamental . And with 90 natural species and hundreds of cultivars , your choice forAlocasiais immense .
@as_garden_alcs
give way the vast choices , you may demand some service picking the correct alocasia variety show for your indoor décor or garden vogue . That ’s why I ’ve handpicked 15 of the most sensational Alocasia types with pictures and guardianship pathfinder to aid you ( who cherish these exuberant beauties as much as I do ) in do a more informed decision …
15Alocasia Varieties To Bring The Tropics To Your Garden And Indoor Spaces
This will be an exotic journey , like finding your room among the lush and sometimes overwhelmingly massive foliation ofleafy tropic industrial plant , and here are the protagonists you will satisfy :
Many of these leafy ( and flowering ) beauties will do well indoors , and most alfresco as well ( in the right conditions ) , but the first on our leaning is a real giant from the jungle …
1:‘Mayan Mask’ Elephant Ears (Alocasia x masquerade ‘Mayan Mask’)
Indeed , the first Alocasia variety on my tilt , the ‘ Mayan Mask ’ elephant ears , is a true giant of the genus ! This hybrid vaunt colossal leaf that can stretch an telling 5 feet farsighted ( 150 cm ) and 3 foot full ( 90 cm ) ! But its grand sizing is n’t all that it propose ; this exotic - looking perennial has much more to reveal .
The foliage , soar high from the ground , is held upright by rich , thick leafstalk , creating a optical reminiscent of tribal carapace being hoist before your eyes .
This imagery is further enriched by the leaf ’s incredibly glossy — almost shining — grain that feels leathery to rubbery to touch . The pronounced , clear ribs guide your eyes to the artistically undulated edge , adding to its optical charm .
@feedmymonstera
But there ’s more … While the upper aerofoil of the leaves flaunts a ample unripened chromaticity , ranging from bright emerald to a thick tone as it matures , the undersides surprisal with a arresting purple shade , carrying an almost metallic allure ! Although not a prolific pratfall , when it does bloom , it ’s a mickle to behold !
The spathe , transition from green to white , extend about 10 inches in length , finally close up into a hood shape to break a buddy-buddy , balmy ivory spadix of equal length . And the fragrancy is a delicious bonus !
‘ Mayan Mask ’ elephant ears is an Alocasia diversity that prognosticate to deliver an awe - inspiring and overwhelmingly alien ambiance to a tropical garden with its majestic size and colouring palette . It ’s adaptable to indoor increment as well , although you ’d postulate a wide room to accommodate its nobleness !
@kasvi_invaasio
2:‘Polly’ Amazonian Elephant Ear (Alocasia x amazonica ‘Polly’)
‘ Polly ’ Amazonian elephant ear is not the largest variety of alocasia , but it is one of the most striking , cosmetic and dramatic … But its modest size of it mean that it can grow indoors , even in small space , and this is why it is a favourite and popular houseplant …
Its main plus are the waxy leaves that expose an esthetic pearl white pattern that follow the big veins in relief and then it hunt the edge of the foliage . All this is set against a very , very dark unripe ground .
It is so recondite that it may even appear as calamitous from a distance . adjudge high up up by upright petiole , which can be unripened or pinkish in shade , they have a capital sculptural quality … However , you need to be heedful with it …
@sr_clorofila_jf
It is very harmful if ingest and it can nettle your skin and eye at the touch – maybe not an idealistic pick if you have pets or children . In case , keep it out of their stretch …
But this is a plant that likes to blossom even in enclosed space , so you may see the calla lily like spathes in icteric rise from the ground , usually in summer .
‘ Polly ’ Amazonian elephant ear is by far one of the best varieties to grow indoors , but if you live in a hot area and you are looking for an exotic touch for a tropic garden , it can really add draw to your landscape gardening .
@zimmerpflanzenliebe
3:‘Black Velvet’ Elephant Ear (Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet’)
Here is another modest alocasia cultuvar , perfect as a houseplant , suggestively call ‘ Black Velvet ’ elephant ear … And this will give away its sumptuous softness … yes , because the heart shaped parting are blockheaded than in other form , and they look like they are made of some comfortably warm fabric , maybe pile material …
And the deep green that coats them , on the Sacramento range bring to the sumptuous outcome of this small plant … But this tonality can darken to almost black , and with a Charles Percy Snow livid wanderer like pattern that survey the nervure and edge , it is really impossible to ignore .
However , the under pages are unlike , with shades of rosy pink to purplish and bright pea green veining … The flowers are infrequent and mote common open , but quite beautiful … The long and graceful , vase shaped spathe are cream to soft pink , and the spadix inside is ivory and minute .
@pnwhouseplants
Yet again , stocky ‘ Black Velvet ’ elephant ear is really unadulterated as a houseplant , but you may grow it in your garden if winter are meek , and it is alsosuitable for a succulent and expensive looking green splash in recondite shade .
4:‘Red Secret’ Elephant Ear (Alocasia cuprea ‘Red Secret’)
If you like very advanced tonalities you will love ‘ Red Secret ’ elephant ear ! In fact , this cultivar ofAlocasia cuprea , a species native of Borneo is really high-minded … You will see shades of purple , even very dark , touching notes of Burgundy wine and plum , or pal to rose blushes , but also suggest at cop and bronze , bet on the leaves ’ age and kindling conditions .
Super shining to the point of shining , especially if you wipe it regularly , the substance shaped leafage pay heed elegantly from the unsloped leafstalk … Sometimes , along the nervure that are in humbled relief , shape sinuous patterns , build up a very mysterious immature on the morose basil to pine orbit – very rarefied indeed !
humble and suitable for indoor space , it has a niggling downside : it will not bloom , but – in the end – what do you call for flowers for when you have such amazing foliage ?
@strangekindofvinyl
grow ‘ Red Secret ’ elephant ear on your bureau desk or living room tabular array is like having a living bronze statue , with amazing people of colour and clean effects . It is not a rough-cut out-of-door variety , but , again , if you may afford it …
5:‘Purple Sword’ Elephant Ear (Alocasia lauterbachiana ‘Purple Sword’)
If you require diaphanous elegance in your office or living space , you should definitely have a look at ‘ Purple Sword ’ elephant spike . Its thin and neat personality is , in fact , really hard to match .
The foliation is wonderfully and regularly undulated at the margins , and fizgig to spearpoint shaped , target , upright in the middle and somewhat outward looking at the side , and rising like a ballerina on tip , thanks to its long and neat petioles !
Then , of course we need to talk about its vividness … Or colors to be right … Shades of super C that range from deep emerald green to hay mix seamlessly on the tenacious and glossy leaf , but the under pages will blush to purplish key , while the upper sides take on copper and bronze chromaticity .
@northfloracollective
Of all theAlocasiavarieties , ‘ Purple Sword ’ stands out for its delicate presence , not bold as others , but unfortunately , this cultivar will not decorate your room with blossom .
idealistic for voguish look and undimmed place , ‘ Purple Sword ’ is the alocasia variety you want to make a statement of sophistication and dear mouthful ; for this reason , it is peradventure one of the best for power quad .
6:Night Scented Lily (Alocasia odora)
Coming from southeasterly Asia , night scented lily is an impressive garden variety of alocasia … Its size and personality are over-the-top to give you that super tropic , plushy , rainforest underbrush face !
The leaves are glossy , rubber like in grain , with a devotee like figure of elegant veins , and wavy edge . Each can reach 2 foot in duration ( 60 cm ) and 1 foot in width ( 30 ) , but despite the size , the strong petiole contain this heavy emerald green foliation upright …
However , when novel ones get along out of the soil from the hugger-mugger rhizome , they are almost lime green in key , fresh and laconic ! But you must have noticed something about the name of this species …
@kinan_flowers_house
And it comes from its rosiness ! With peach spathes and spadix , they look like calla lily , and they are very fragrant , especially at Nox ! But this is not the end of its display … The blossoms are postdate by bright red , rotund berries that make a very colorful and bold statement .
idealistic as an accent plant or in a declamatory borderline in a tropical garden , nighttime scented lily could also be an indoor houseplant , as long as you have a big room where it can arise to its full size . Still , it is more of an out-of-door variety … .
7:‘Flying Squid’ Alcoasia (Alocasia plumbae ‘Flying Squid’)
Our genus of alien rhizomatous perennial is famous all over the world for its swelled , broad leafage , but there is an exception … ‘ Flying Squid ’ is , yes , an elephant ear change , but really not what you might expect !
This piffling elephant ear does not look like her other sisters … The name is the best way to describe it … And , in fact , it look as if it has no leaves at all , but farsighted and twisting tentacles that rise from the ground … Yes , it take care as if someone had embed an octopus or a calamari with its head into the soil !
You may see some “ trace at leave ” , because they are turn up inti subway , and they sometimes open up a tiny bit , usually at the tips … In fact , it may resemble a succulent , twisty frizzle sizzle ( Albucaspiralis ) …
@elketalone
The color change … At the ends , it will show green tonalities , from bright to recondite emerald , but the older part of the foliage , towards the base , will blaze up up to purple shades . This very unusual cultivar , however , will not blossom , and this is the only downsize .
chiefly a houseplant you could keep even on a shelf or in a small space , ‘ Flying Squid ’ alocasia could also add an original crook to rock gardens of flower seam in Mediterranean or tropic garden .
8:Porte’s Alocasia (Alocasia portei)
come from the Philippines , Porte ’s alocasia , a.k.a . Malayan monster , is named after the French plant scientist Marius Porte , and it too is very original … Growing into a giant , this exotic species has massive petioles that hold deeply lobed leaves , which are sagittate in overall chassis and they can be monumental , up to 5 feet long ( 1.5 metre ) !
Nevertheless , this industrial plant manages to keep the them upright , and you will revel its calendered and obscure , deep green gloss , but they can be chocolate and mottled on the under pages … The efflorescence is another video display of strength like few …
The spathe can be 12 to 16 inches long ( 30 to 40 cm ) , chocolate-brown green in colour , and at first folded into what calculate like a bull ’s car horn … Then , it open into a lanceolate shape to reveal the streaked spadix inside !
@lilplantbaybee
give you both awe-inspiring texture , a strong personality and an amazing tropic event , this is one of the most special variety of elephant capitulum ever !
Porte ’s alocasia is , of course , an awful plus for a tropic and exotic garden ; as an accent plant , it will give you the awesome rainforest and oversized statement that few other flora can accomplish . Fortunately , it will keep smaller un a container , so you may raise it indoors as well !
9:‘Imperialis’ Elephant Ear (Alocasia nebula ‘Imperialis’)
Here is a much loved and democratic cultivar of elephant ear , called ‘ Imperialis ’ . Especially appreciated as a decorative houseplant , this elephant’s ear has fatten out looking foliage which get a zebra like form on the upper pages of the leaf , which follows the vein that lead to the fluid edges …
The exact coloring range quitesignificantly according to lighting conditions , maturity date of the leaves and even the specimen itself , but this is not a downsize …
On the contrary it will be a nice personal jot this perennial gives you , displaying ash grey to even off-white shades and stripes from greenish , even aquamarine , to purplish !
@princessplantslungtooya
The underside , on the other hand , will be purple , soft and uniform . Compact and little but with an open habit , it is really splendid for indoor blank , but , like other varieties with these lineament it will not give you blooms .
‘ Imperialis ’ elephant ears will suit any well lit indoor place , even on a coffee tabular array , thanks to its size . Rarer as an outdoor plant , this elephant’s ear potpourri is sometimes get in container for patios or bench in hot countries , or during the summer month .
10:‘Black Magic’ Elephant Ear (Alocasia infernalis ‘Black Magic’)
And we come to the gothic prince of theAlocasiagenus : ‘ Black Magic ’ elephant spike ! Yes , you guess right … It is virtually grim , even if , as you recognize , we intend very , very dark and deep purple by this term , in gardening .
It will need the right ignition to grow the really deep shades it is famous and unique for , otherwise you will see some dark-green key appear from under this tenebrious colouring material , particularly in immature leaves , that will then darken with age .
bland edges and roughly heart to arrowhead form , the leaves are also exceedingly glistening , and the light and darkness effectyou get from it are unique ! Unlike other very specialized cultivar , ‘ Black Magic ’ will blossom forth , and that will be a slap-up surprise !
@lush_trail
The hooked spathes are greenish at the al-Qaeda , but they expose awesome stripes of violet and cream greenish at the back . The bone whiteness of the inner page check that of the spadix !
‘ Black Magic ’ elephant pinna is little , but compact with personality , and it is an outstanding indoor variety because its blackness make it specially sculptural . Having said this , yet again , if you bed in a raging land , you may enjoy its sinister sweetheart outdoors as well .
11:White Variegated Elephant Ears (alocasia macrorrhiza albo variegata)
Sometimes called ‘ Snow White ’ , this variety ofAlocasiais in unmediated line with ‘ fateful Magic ’ … In fact white variegated elephant ear , also called giant taro , offers you a great effect , with wide and showy ivory patch on a bright green background .
There are case when a whole foliage , and sometimes even the whole plant , is fully white ! But this normally has a limited time span , and I suspect that those who claim it have make out the green leaves to chisel us a bit with the pictures .
Still , the glossy and sagittate ( arrowhead shape ) go away with smooth margin and a glossy texture give you a spectacular and very unusual effect and they can develop to a considerable size ( up to 2 feet recollective , or 60 cm ) , but to attain the best color effect potential , it needs a hatful of lighter , otherwise the white area will darken and then they will switch to gullible …
@geles_ir_gvazdikai
While it is not a very willing blunder , it is sleep together to produce blossoms at time , and the spathe and spadices you a final chromatic twist , with their cream to butter yellow shade !
A very salient and dramatic comportment in a well fire up living room or office , white variegated alocasia will also bring in its green and white beauty to blossom beds or border in hot commonwealth that need an alien sense of touch .
12:Amazonian Elephant Ear (Alocasia x amazonica)
Amazonian elephant auricle is a real classic of theAlocasiagenus . And in fact , it is also a win er of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society … I am sure you have watch it already , and you will well acknowledge it because it looks like tribal carapace look you in a pelting woods …
The leave are long , point and sagittate in form , about 2 feet from top to bottom ( 60 cm ) . Leathery and lustrous , they have somewhat wavy edge , and a percipient , contrast form of ivory to skim off white vein on a deep , rich green background that darkens as the foliage matures .
One of the most fuck varieties of all , and very easy to find , this is also a flowering hybrid … The blooms will usually appear in summer , and they are canna lily like but … The spathe is pallid greenish outside and cream white inside , as is the spadix …
@my.plants.and.i
Amazonian elephant ear is as appreciated as for indoor distance , where it can give you a spectacular , artistic houseplant , or in tropical looking outdoor gardens , where it can recreate an escapade photographic film effect , as if an explorer is face with a tribe of aborigine in the Torrid Zone .
13:‘Stingray’ Elephant Ear (Alocasia macrorrhiza ‘Stingray’)
And now you are about to see one of the most playful varieties ofAlocasia , very descriptively called ‘ Stingray ’ elephant spike ! A very much loved indoor variety , its name refers to the shape of the leafage …
In fact , the glossy leaves have been develop by breeders from the sagittate ( arrowhead shaped ) shape you find in Nature , and they have heighten both the top , grow it into a long “ tail ” and the two lobes at the back , which look like the “ wing ” of the famous sea animate being …
Veins in backup man book this foreign image together , and the colouring can range from bright mid putting surface . However , some of them may remind you more of being from tabu infinite from the 1979Alienmovie than the flat relation of the shark …
@jaxplants.au
What heightens the effect is that they are held , mainly horizontally , on very thin and long petioles , so they attend like they are “ swimming in the air ” … . It is not a very knifelike fuckup , but spathe in greenish white may come along in tardy spring or former summertime . And if you want a downsized version of this cultivar , there ’s her piddling sister , ‘ Baby Ray ’ as well !
Mainly grown as a houseplant , ‘ Sting Ray ’ elephant capitulum is a cheerful form of alocasia for a bit of fun in a room that needs some near humour , playfulness , and cocksure energy . Yet again , it will grow outdoors in live garden .
14:‘Melo’ Elephant Ear (Alocasia rugosa ‘Melo’)
The different transformations of this exotic perennial lead us to ‘ Melo ’ elephant auricle , the most popular variety ofAlocasia rugosa , a species aboriginal to the Sabah United States Department of State in Malaysia … The binominal name will give away its most distinctive trait and primary asset:“rugosa”means “ crease ” , and this leads us to the astonishing texture of the foliage …
Yes , you will see an amazing grooves , very fine and that – well it matt prompt you of a brain in cross surgical incision … But this is not at all harsh , because the Earth’s surface is also very soft and velvety like …
A small flora , it will only bring on a few of its leaves , which expect elliptic in shape ( the two back lobe are almost merged ) and they stick out horizontal on refined leafstalk …
The gloss can actually range touch quite striking eminence , from green to aquamarine , it can also turn to shades of violet purplish , while the under pages are usually cream .
It is not a majuscule bloomer but it can if it gets the right weather condition , and the ivory white spathes mold a cup at the base , which can have lovely plum tree slanted spots .
‘ Melo ’ elephant auricle is mainly grow as a houseplant , also because its size of it makes it suitable to small outer space , even a ledge pr a coffee table ; its texture bring softness and interest to your indoor life , but , again , if you go in a tropical or subtropic area , your garden would be fine too .
15:‘Portodora’ Upright Elephant Ear (Alocasia portodora)
And we reason our journey among varieties of theAlocasiagenus with another titan , and a really stunning one … In fact , ‘ Portodora ’ ( also called just ) is the elephant ear you would expect painted in a hieroglyphic on the wall of an Egyptian temple …
I say this to give you an idea of what you will get with this big perennial : ideate being on the Nile and having massive fan to refresh the sultry air … Yes , because each leaf can be 5 feet long ( 1.5 metre ) and it is held erect by very big and deep leafstalk .
What is more , you will see intelligibly sculpture veins set forth from the mid costa like a Inachis io ’s arse , and giving the margins of the leaf a zigzag synopsis . Glossy and smart to mid green in colour , they will rise up far above your head , and – hear , hear – this is a pretty moth-eaten stalwart miscellanea compared with others !
The flowers , or better inflorescences , are on the same big musical scale , and they consist of canna lily like cream spathe and spadices , which can blush to russet and brown as they ripen .
‘ Portodora ’ or unsloped elephant ear is , of course mainly a garden variety , where it can be an accent plant and create the top-notch exotic feel you are after ; but it is so striking that people with large room do uprise it indoors as well !
Hail the Leafy Queen of the Jungle: The Exotic Beauty Called Alocasia!
Elephant , ear , jumbo taro , or elephant ear , call this tropical perennial as you wish , it is always very spectacular and exotic , and as you’re able to see , there are many species , for small indoor coffee tables , or for large and hot garden … You have just suffer some of the most decorative , and now it is up to you to select the beauty you screw best … I know , it ’s backbreaking …
Written By
Amber Noyes was born and raised in a suburban California town , San Mateo . She holds a master ’s degree in horticulture from the University of California as well as a BS in Biology from the University of San Francisco . With experience working on an organic farm , water system preservation research , farmers ’ market , and plant nursery , she understands what make plants flourish and how we can better understand the connection between microclimate and industrial plant health . When she ’s not on the land , Amber loves informing mass of new estimation / thing relate to gardening , specially organic gardening , houseplant , and growing plants in a humble place .
