Alocasia macrorrhiza (Elephant ear, Upright elephant ear, Giant taro)

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Plant description

Alocasia macrorrhizos, the Giant Elephant Ear, is a perennial tuberous tropical plant that is a great specimen plant for the garden or indoors. It will give a lush tropical look, and is suitable for tropical to warm temperate climates. It can survive mild frosts. It is a fast growing plant, and can reach 1.5 metres in a year if given good growing conditions. It likes fertile well drained soil, and regular watering and fertilising. It grows in sun or in part shade.

Alocasias macrorrhizos can be grown as a specimen plant, as a massed planting, or in containers. They can also be good indoor plants, where they will need bright light, humidity and warmth to be at their best. Dry air will make the plant susceptible to red spider mites, regular misting will help to discourage pests.

Propagation is from offsets which can be divided.

Alocasias can be irritant to the skin, and if ingested.

Additional plant information

Flowers

Flower colour: cream
Flowering season: not specified

Plant size

Maximum height: 3 metres
Minimum height: 2 metres

Maximum width: 3 metres
Minimum width: 2 metres

Sunlight, frost & salt tolerance

This plant will tolerate full or partial sunlight.
Light frost tolerance.
Plant is not salt tolerant.

Fauna attracting?

Not specified.

Climate

This plant species will grow in the following climates: temperate, subtropical, tropical.

Soil types & conditions

Loam: wet, moist, well-drained.

Clay: moist, well-drained.

Sand: wet, moist.

Soil pH: 6.5-7.5

Diseases

Root rot in overly wet conditions

Pests

Red spider mite

Miscellaneous information

Planting season: not specified.

Types of fertiliser: Liquid fertiliser applied through the warmer months.

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