Also known as Elephant Ear · 45 saves
Alocasia
Alocasia, the genus most gardeners know as elephant ear. We track 15 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 14 most-saved Alocasia varieties
Browse all 15 Alocasia varieties →
6 species of Alocasia
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Alocasia in Sow
Save the Alocasia you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Alocasia
Whats common across all Alocasia varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 15 most-grown of them.
The Alocasia year
- FertilizeMay–August93% of varieties
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during active growth
- Check for PestsMay–September80% of varieties
Monitor for spider mites and mealybugs, especially in dry conditions
- Lift & StoreSeptember and October73% of varieties
Dig up tubers after first light frost; store dry and cool (or bring indoors)
- PlantApril and May60% of varieties
Plant tubers or transplants after all danger of frost is past
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March33% 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 |
| Spider mites | Webbing and stippling on leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap |
| Aphids | Sticky residue, distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root Rot | Wilting, yellowing leaves, foul smell | Improve drainage, reduce watering |
| Root rot | Yellowing leaves and soft, decayed roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Leaf Spot | Brown or black spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and apply fungicide |
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 15 distinct Alocasia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 45 real gardeners — 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 late summer, mid-summer, 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.