Alocasia wentii (Alocasia, Elephant ear, Hardy elephant ear)

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Plant description

Alocasia wentii is sometimes known as 'Hardy Elephant Ear', as it is easy to grow and more cold hardy than some other Alocasias. It tolerates some frost, and may go dormant if the temperature drops too low. It has green leaves with striking metallic purple undersides. The leaves grow to around a foot in length, and the plant  reaches around 1.5 metres high and wide. This plant likes partial shade, and can also be grown in deep shade. The best soil is rich, moist, and well drained.

Alocasias are good for giving a tropical feel to the garden, and also make good indoor plants if given a bright position and regular watering. Dry air can make them prone to attack by pests such as red spider mite, misting the plant regularly can help this. Fertilise through the warm months with half strength liquid feed, or with a slow release fertiliser.

Alocasias can give swelling and irritation if swallowed or ingested.

Additional plant information

Flowers

Flower colour: not specified
Flowering season: not specified

Plant size

Maximum height: 1.5 metres
Minimum height: not specified

Maximum width: 1.5 metres
Minimum width: not specified

Sunlight, frost & salt tolerance

Will tolerate partial sunlight.
Medium 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: moist, well-drained.

Clay: well-drained.

Sand: moist.

Diseases

Root rots in very wet conditions

Pests

Red spider mite

Miscellaneous information

Planting season: Any.

Types of fertiliser: Half strength liquid fertiliser applied through the warmer months.

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