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    • Photo of Alocasia macrorrhizos foliage by Leafari

    Photo by Leafari

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Alocasia macrorrhizos

    Also Known As

    • Alocasia macrorrhiza
    • Alocasia plumbea 'Metallica'
    • Giant Upright Elephant Ear
    • Metallica Elephant's Ear
    • Metallica Taro

    Plant type

    perennial, bulb / corm / tuber, aroid

    size

    • H: 6'-12'
    • W: 5'-10'

    planting zones

    • 7b-12

    More Options

    Alocasia macrorrhizos plant details

    Alocasia macrorrhizos is a fast-growing broadleaf evergreen perennial aroid bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. Features glossy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Alocasia macrorrhizos

    Plant type: perennial aroid bulb / corm / tuber
    Plant family: araceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 5 FT - 10 FT - wide, 6 FT - 12 FT - tall
    Uses: big leaves, container plant, exotic, heart-shaped leaves, showy, tropical-looking

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Alocasia macrorrhizos

    USDA Zones: 7b - 12
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    This giant elephant ear, Alocasia macrorrhizos, is quite different from the typical Colocasia esculenta. The leaves are thick, sculpted and glossy green and are held upright on dramatically rigid stems. A large specimen is guaranteed to stop visitors to your garden in their tracks! Reportedly hardy in zone 8 if the tuber is protected. Makes an excellent and dramatic houseplant if you don’t want to risk it. Plants purchased as dry bulbs will not break dormancy until summer. Provide as much heat as possible. Hardy to zone 7b.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    The most popular alocasia grown in the U.S., this dramatic elephant ear plant grows 6 to 10 feet tall with huge leaves that point skywards. Rigid stems, thick glossy leaves up to 3 feet across and a clumping form combine to produce a huge plant that makes an undeniable statement!

    By: Leafari

    Alocasia Plumbea (Metallica) is a dark plant with leaves that are dark green and maroon on the underside. Stems are black and plants can grow to 6 feet tall or more. Mature plants have more horizontal look to the leaves.

    By: Brian's Botanicals

    Gardening facts about Alocasia macrorrhizos plant

    How to Grow Alocasia macrorrhizos

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glossy

    See other plant types of Alocasia for your garden

    Alocasia 'Portodora'

    aka Alocasia x 'Portadora', Alocasia x 'Portora', Alocasia x portora 'Portodora', Hybrid Upright Elephant Ear

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber, Aroid

    Zones

    7b-12

    Size

    Height: 6'-8'

    Width: 4'-6'

    • mostly sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Alocasia 'Portodora' foliage by Danger Garden
    View Plant

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    Alocasia 'Mayan Mask'

    aka Alocasia 'William's Hybrid', Hardy Elephant Ear

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Aroid

    Zones

    7a-12

    Size

    Height: 3'-8'

    Width: 2'-6'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Alocasia 'Mayan Mask' foliage by Brian's Botanicals
    View Plant

    More Options

    Alocasia gageana

    aka Alocasia 'Gagaena California', Dwarf Elephant Ear, Gagaena California Elephant Ear

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber, Aroid

    Zones

    9a-12

    Size

    Height: 3'-4'

    Width: 2'-3'

    • mostly sun - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Alocasia gageana foliage by Derek Powazek
    View Plant

    More Options

    Alocasia 'Calidora'

    aka Alocasia calidora, Alocasia x 'Calidora', Calidora Elephant Ear

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Aroid

    Zones

    10a-12

    Size

    Height: 5'-7'

    Width: 3'-6'

    • sun - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Alocasia 'Calidora' foliage by Brian's Botanicals
    View Plant

    More Options

    Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Black Stem'

    aka Alocasia macrorrhiza 'Black Stem', Arum indicum 'Black Stem', Colocasia indica 'Black Stem', Black Stem Giant Taro, Black Stem Upright Elephant Ear

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Aroid

    Zones

    9a-12

    Size

    Height: 5'-8'

    Width: 4'-6'

    • mostly sun - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Black Stem' landscape by Alan Lorence
    View Plant

    More Options

    +57 more Alocasia
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