Alocasia

Alocasia amazonica

Amazonian Elephant Ear

Alocasia × amazonica is a hybrid aroid in the Araceae family, growing from a water-storing rhizome that rots if left soggy. Give it bright indirect light, warmth, and high humidity, and water only when the top inch or two of mix has dried — it tolerates approaching dryness far better than standing wet. Expect it to slow or drop leaves in low light or dry air.

Alocasia zebrina

Zebra Plant

Alocasia zebrina is a Philippine tropical understory aroid grown from a water-storing rhizomatous base, so it wants warmth, steady humidity, and bright indirect light rather than direct sun. Let the top inch or two of the mix dry before watering, and use a fast-draining, airy mix, since the storage base rots if left sitting wet. Err toward slightly too dry rather than too wet.

Alocasia macrorrhizos

Giant Taro

A large tropical aroid from the humid understory and forest margins of Southeast Asia and the western Pacific, growing as a stout subshrub. It wants warmth, consistent humidity, and bright indirect light rather than direct sun, which can scorch its broad leaves. Water when the top inch of mix has dried, then water thoroughly; keep it evenly moist but never sitting wet, as the fleshy rootstock rots if waterlogged.

Alocasia odora

Asian Taro

Alocasia odora is a large tropical understory aroid from the warm, humid forests of South and Southeast Asia, where it grows in dappled light rather than open sun. It stores water in a thick rhizome and rots easily if kept soggy, so let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering and give it a chunky, free-draining medium. Place it in bright indirect light and keep humidity high; protect it from cold drafts.

Alocasia sanderiana

Sander's Alocasia

Alocasia sanderiana is a tropical understory plant from the Philippine rainforest, growing as a subshrub from a water-storing rhizome. It wants warmth, consistent humidity, and bright indirect light rather than direct sun, which scorches its foliage. Water when the top inch or two of mix has dried, and err toward letting it approach dry, since the rhizome rots if left sitting wet.

Alocasia cucullata

Chinese Taro

Alocasia cucullata is a tropical understory subshrub from monsoon-fed regions of southern Asia, so it wants warmth, steady humidity, and bright indirect light rather than direct sun. It likes even moisture but stores water in its rhizome and rots if left soggy; water when the top inch of mix has dried, then water thoroughly and let excess drain.

Alocasia micholitziana

Green Velvet Alocasia

A tropical understory aroid from the Philippine forest floor, this Alocasia wants warmth, steady but not soggy moisture, and bright indirect light rather than direct sun. Let the top inch of mix approach dryness before watering, and keep it in airy, well-draining soil to avoid rot. As a forest-floor plant it favors consistently elevated humidity.

Alocasia brisbanensis

Cunjevoi

Alocasia brisbanensis is a rhizomatous understory aroid from the warm, humid forests of coastal eastern Australia, so it wants warmth, steady humidity, and the dappled light beneath a canopy rather than direct sun. Give it bright indirect light and water when the top inch of mix has dried; its fleshy rhizome stores water and will rot if left sitting wet. Let it approach dryness between waterings rather than keeping it constantly soggy.

Alocasia longiloba

Tiger Taro

Alocasia longiloba is a rhizomatous geophyte from the tropical understory of Sulawesi, so it wants warmth, steady humidity, and bright indirect light rather than direct sun. The rhizome stores water and rots if left sitting wet, so let the top inch of mix dry before watering again. Provide a fast-draining mix and good airflow to keep the roots and storage organ healthy.

Alocasia reginula

Black Velvet Alocasia

Alocasia reginula is a tropical understory aroid from Borneo, growing in warm, humid forest shade with bright, filtered light rather than direct sun. It grows from a small rhizome that stores water and rots if kept soggy, so let the top inch of mix dry before watering and err toward the drier end. Keep it warm and provide steady humidity and airflow.

Alocasia cuprea

Giant Caladium

Alocasia cuprea is an understory aroid from the humid forests of Borneo, growing as a low subshrub from a water-storing rhizome. It wants warmth, steady humidity, and bright indirect light rather than direct sun, which can scorch its metallic leaves. Let the top inch or two of the mix dry before watering, as the rhizome rots if left sitting wet.

Alocasia baginda

Alocasia Dragon Scale

Alocasia baginda is an aroid native to the humid forests of Borneo, where it grows in warmth and shade beneath the canopy. Give it bright indirect light and a fast-draining mix, and water only when the top inch or two of mix has dried; it stores moisture and rots if left sitting wet. It genuinely wants high humidity and steady warmth.