Growing Alocasias & Colocasias at Home
Alocasia, Colocasia; Elephant Ear, Taro
Origin: Tropical Asia and Eastern Australia
Characteristics: Alocasias grow from underground corms, which retain water and help the plants survive occasional dry spells in the wild. Their “elephant ear” leaves are showy and have been bred to produce a wide variety of cultivars.
Temperature: Alocasias will all prefer temperatures between 70-90 F (18-30 C). The plants can’t withstand temperatures below about 60 F for any extended time without damage.
Humidity: 40-60% humidity works great for Alocasias.
Light: Bright indirect light, possibly with an hour or two of morning sun, is ideal for these plants. We grow them under 70% shade cloth in our greenhouses.
Water: Alocasias enjoy a thorough drenching with water often enough to prevent the soil from fully drying between waterings. At the same time, they must never sit with their roots wet, so we advise against bottom-watering or using trays. It’s best to water them by thoroughly soaking the soil 1-2 times a week, then letting the plant drain in a sink before returning it to its usual location. We recommend to err on the side of too much, versus too little, watering. When Alocasias dry out completely, their leaves will die and the plant will retreat into dormancy, with only the underground corm staying active. If this happens, the plant can be revived with thorough watering and patience.
Potting and Soil: These plants prefer an open, airy potting medium that can also hold some moisture, while also allowing for good drainage and air circulation around the roots.
A tropical foliage fertilizer with a bit more nitrogen than potassium and phosphorus is ideal. We like SuperThrive Foliage Pro for ours.
While most Alocasias and Colocasias contain crystals of oxalic acid in their tissues, a few are used as food in their native countries, when properly prepared. Taro, used to prepare the Hawaiian dish Poi, is the product of one such species.
May cause swelling and discomfort if consumed by pets or children, due to oxalic acid crystals in the plant's tissues. Safe unless consumed.
All recommendations are based on general indoor home conditions. Please contact us if you have questions about your plant's care!