Also known as Elephant Ear · 28 gardener saves
Alocasia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Alocasia, the genus most gardeners know as elephant ear. We track 13 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Alocasia varieties
Of 13 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedGiant Taro
Alocasia macrorrhizos
#2 most savedHardy Elephant Ear
Alocasia wentii
#3 most savedGiant Elephant Ear
Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Shock Treatment'
Variegated Elephant Ear
Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Variegata'
African Mask Plant Elephant Ear
Alocasia indica 'Odora'
Portodora Elephant Ear
Alocasia portodora
African Mask Plant
Alocasia x hybrida 'Insinuata'
Chinese Taro
Alocasia cucullata
African Mask Plant
Alocasia x amazonica 'Elephant Ear'
Crinkle Alocasia
Alocasia cucullata 'Crinkles'
Regal Shields Elephant Ear
Alocasia 'Regal Shields'
Hooded Dwarf Elephant Ear
Alocasia cucullata 'Yellow Tail'
Browse all 13 Alocasia varieties →
How to grow Alocasia
What the Alocasia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 13 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Alocasia year
- FertilizeMay–August100% of varieties
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during active growth
- Lift & StoreSeptember and October85% of varieties
Dig up tubers after first light frost; store dry and cool (or bring indoors)
- Check for PestsMay–September85% of varieties
Monitor for spider mites and mealybugs, especially in dry conditions
- PlantApril and May69% of varieties
Plant tubers or transplants after all danger of frost is past
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March31% of varieties
Remove any dead or yellowing foliage before new growth begins
Do
- Keep soil consistently moist 🌱
- Provide bright, indirect light
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Maintain high humidity levels
- Mulch to retain moisture
Avoid
- Avoid direct, harsh sunlight ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid direct harsh sunlight ❌
- Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes
What goes wrong with Alocasia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on leaves, speckled discoloration | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Mealybugs | White cottony masses on stems and undersides of leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or remove manually with alcohol wipe |
| Aphids | Sticky residue, distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Webbing and stippling on leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap |
| Root Rot | Wilting, yellowing leaves, foul smell | Improve drainage, reduce watering |
| Leaf Spot | Brown or black spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and apply fungicide |
| Root rot | Yellowing leaves and soft, decayed roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Alocasia
Division
- Dig up tubers in early spring
- Separate offsets with clean knife
- Plant immediately in moist soil
- Water thoroughly and keep moist for 2 weeks
Rhizome division
- Dig up mature rhizomes in early spring
- Cut into sections with healthy growth points
- Plant each section in moist soil
- Water thoroughly and keep in shade
- Wait 6 weeks for new shoots to emerge
Alocasia questions
How many types of Alocasia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 13 distinct Alocasia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 28 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Alocasia grow in?
Across its varieties, Alocasia covers USDA Zones 7–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Alocasia bloom?
Most Alocasia varieties bloom in mid-summer, summer, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Alocasia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Alocasia shows up in
By hardiness zone
Related genera
Design with Alocasia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
