“Elephant ears” is the common name for a group of tropical perennial plants grown for their large, heart-shaped leaves. Most of these herbaceous species in the arum or aroid family (Araceae) that are offered as ornamentals belong to the genera Colocasia, Alocasia, and Xanthosoma, although there are others that have similar appearance and growth habits.
The first two genera are native to tropical southern Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, parts of Australia, or the Pacific Islands, while Xanthosoma is native to tropical America. Many of the species have long been grown for the edible starchy corms or tubers as an important staple food in tropical regions.
The leaves are edible, but they (and all parts of the plant) contain needle-like crystals of calcium oxalate which are a skin irritant, so they must be cooked first.
One of the most widely grown species is C.esculenta, called taro and many other common names. It has been cultivated in Asia and Polynesia for thousands of years, with over 200 cultivars selected for culinary or ornamental characteristics. This species naturalizes readily in wetlands in mild climates and is considered an invasive species along the Gulf Coast.
In the Midwestern garden these plants are grown for their flat sagittate (arrow- or heart-shaped) leaves that often have prominent veins. In their native habitat the smooth, waxy leaves will grow 3 feet long and 2 feet wide or more (depending on the species) but they tend to be much smaller when grown as a seasonal plant.
The leaves are held on the end of long, thick, succulent petioles coming directly from the underground corm. The petiole attaches near the center of the lower surface of the leaf (peltate) and the leaves are held perpendicular to the upright petiole with the leaves facing upward or outward.
The leaves of Alocasia and Xanthosoma are usually not peltate and are held more upright. These plants generally grow from corms (commonly called bulbs, although they are not true bulbs),
but some types also produce long, slender stolons (above ground runners), and others do not form corms. The lumpy corms with rough ridges have a brown skin and a white or pink interior. Some types of elephant ears also produce smaller tubers or “cormels” (also called “eddos”) which grow off the sides of the main corm. Although elephant ears are grown primarily as foliage plants, they can bloom – but flowers are not common in the Midwest. The inflorescences are the typical aroid type with a white to yellow or light green spathe surrounding the spadix. They can be large, fragrant and attractive, but are normally hidden underneath the foliage. Fruits are globular green or yellow berries containing several seeds.
The standard emerald green C. esculenta, with a matte finish, used to be about the only type of elephant ear available to Midwestern gardeners, but over the past couple of decades breeding programs have produced a lot of new ornamental varieties. They vary in size from 8 inches to over 9 feet, but most are in the 3 to 5 foot range. Some of the many interesting cultivars available include (C. esculenta unless otherwise noted):
‘Coffee Cups’ (sometimes incorrectly called ‘Tea Cups’) – is a vigorous hybrid with smaller leaves on very tall dark petioles with the blades folded upward to form a cup-shape.
‘Hilo Beauty’ – is a small variety (about a foot tall) of Alocasia with irregular yellow or cream flecks on the dark green leaves.
‘Illustris’ (imperial taro, var. antiquorum) – has dark green matte leaves with a purple to black luster and bright green veins and petioles. The plants spread by underground runners. Color is more intense in bright light, but the leaves are never as dark as ‘Black Magic’ or many other black varieties.
Use elephant ears to add a bold, tropical look to the landscape in borders, mass plantings or in containers. These fabulous foliage plants add dramatic contrast with both the size and color of the leaves and their form. They combine well with other tropical plants such as bananas, castor bean, colorful caladiums,
Chinese hibiscus and mandevillea, but they also provide wonderful textural contrast with more typical temperate bedding plants, ferns, or ornamental grasses. Pair dark-leaved varieties with any white, yellow, or orange-flowering plant for vivid contrast. The clumping varieties have an attractive vase shape so a single plant can provide an interesting focal point in the garden when planted in the midst of low-growing annuals such as petunias or begonias. Add them to large aquatic containers in combination with papyrus and water lilies or keep them in individual containers to mix and match with other plants on a deck or patio.
Many types of elephant ears can be grown in partial shade, but the darker colored varieties are best grown in full sun. All need rich, moist soil and nearly all are perfect at the edge of a pond. Most can be grown in a few inches of standing water, and can be added to water gardens as emergent plants (the roots in water and with the soil just covered with water, but the plants not submerged).
These tropical plants grow best in warm temperatures and high humidity. They may languish in Midwestern gardens until warm summer conditions begin, and they will also falter when temperatures drop below 50F for prolonged periods of time.
The plants continually produce new leaves throughout the growing season. The older leaves that gradually die off can be removed to keep the plants looking tidy. Be sure to consider the potential for the elephant ear to shade out smaller plants as they grow when you choose a planting location in the spring.
Although they can be grown from seed, to grow large elephant ears, start with a large bulb or rooted plant (many of the newer cultivars are only offered as tissue cultured plants that have not formed bulbs yet). It will take a few weeks for the first leaves to appear from the bulb. These frost-tender perennial plants are best started indoors, potting up the bulb in March, placing the top of the bulb close to the soil surface, and keeping it in a warm location until it is planted outside when the weather warms up, usually in late May or early June.
Provide copious water and fertilizer as the plants grow, especially for those in containers, as they are heavy feeders. For plain green-leaved elephant ears, you can purchase taro (also called coco yam) root in Asian grocery stores and grow it instead of eating it (if the corms haven’t been treated with something to prevent growth).
Elephant ears can be grown as annuals, starting with new plants each year, or may be kept over the winter (most are hardy only to zone 8). Plants that have formed bulbs can be dug, dried and stored like cannas or dahlias after frost has killed the foliage. Illustris with other tender annuals. Alocasia x amazonica ‘Poly’
Those without bulbs are harder to keep indoors, although it may be possible to keep them going as houseplants if kept in a warm, bright location. It is best to bring plants to be kept as houseplants indoors before temperatures get into the 30’s. Cut back all but the top two leaves and keep at room temperature in bright light. Keep plants on the drier side when they are semi-dormant and resume regular watering and fertilizing when growth resumes in the spring. – Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin – Madison
The Alocasia plant is a tropical genus known for its striking arrow-shaped leaves and exotic appearance. But where did this captivating plant originate? Tracing the historical journey of the Alocasia offers insight into its rise from an ancient medicinal plant to a globally beloved ornamental icon.
The Early Roots of Alocasia in Asia
The ancestral home of Alocasia lies in the steamy tropical forests of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Borneo, and the Philippines. Here, Alocasia plants grew wild, valued by indigenous cultures for their starchy tubers and medicinal properties. The young leaves were consumed as vegetables, while the tubers were boiled or roasted as food. Traditional healers used Alocasia extracts to treat fever, wounds, digestive issues, and respiratory ailments.
The emergent medicinal and culinary uses of Alocasia represent some of the earliest known human connections with this captivating plant genus.
Alocasia Finds Fame in Hindu Mythology
Alocasia gained prominence in the ancient lore of India’s Hindus. The broad, arrowhead-shaped Alocasia leaves came to be associated with Ganesha, the much-beloved elephant-headed deity.
According to Hindu mythology, when the goddess Parvati created Ganesha out of clay and breathed life into him, she instructed him to guard the entrance while she bathed When Parvati’s consort, Shiva, was barred entry by Ganesha, he severed the head of Parvati’s loyal guardian in rage. To console Parvati and restore her son, Shiva replaced Ganesha’s head with that of a young elephant.
Today, Alocasia leaves and flowers remain a cherished offering to Ganesha in Hindu worship and ceremonies. The connection between the plant’s distinct leaf shape and the beloved deity persists
Alocasia Spreads to Europe
It was Portuguese and Dutch traders in the 16th and 17th centuries who introduced Alocasia to the western world. Enthralled by its tropical grandeur, they brought Alocasia specimens back to Europe as cherished novelties from the colonies.
The uniqueness of Alocasia made it a must-have botanical treasure for royal private gardens and prestigious public conservatories alike. Its arrowhead leaves and sculptural shapes enchanted aristocrats and plant aficionados. For the next 300 years, Alocasia would largely remain a conservatory subtropical in Europe.
Gaining Popularity as a Houseplant
The 19th and 20th centuries witnessed Alocasia stepping indoors as a houseplant, first in Europe then spreading to America. Advances in plant transport, heating technology, and glasshouse horticulture enabled the cultivation of tropicals like Alocasia for indoor environments.
Enthusiasts were finally able to enjoy these exotic tropicals as houseplants and conservatory specimens. Open fretwork terra cottas were designed specially to suit the burgeoning houseplant trend and display stunning specimens like Alocasia to full advantage.
Today, the diversity and availability of Alocasia hybrids and cultivars make them a fixture in the global houseplant industry. Their striking foliage and tropical vibe are as attractive in modern homes as they were in Victorian conservatories over a century ago.
Uncovering and Classifying New Alocasia Species
Much of the Alocasia genus still grows wild across parts of Asia and Australasia, with new species awaiting discovery. It was 19th century naturalists and explorers who began documenting the scientific diversity of Alocasia in the wild.
Prominent Alocasia collectors and taxonomists included:
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Heinrich Schott, who described 24 Alocasia species found in the Philippine rainforests in 1860.
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Japanese botanist Takenoshin Nakai, who extensively studied Alocasia diversity across Southeast Asia in the early 20th century.
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Arthur Wallays, a Belgian botanist whose expeditions to Indonesia from 1920 to 1940 yielded over a dozen new Alocasia species for documentation.
Discoveries by these pioneers have been foundational in characterizing the diversity of the 200+ species in the Alocasia genus today.
The Rise of Alocasia Hybridization
Once limited to wild species, the diversity of Alocasia exploded with the advent of intentional hybridization. In the 20th century, horticulturists began systematically crossing Alocasia varieties to create new forms with unique traits.
Key pioneers in Alocasia hybridization include:
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The Veitch Nursery in England, which bred popular varieties like Alocasia ‘Hilo Beauty’ and ‘Stingray’.
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German nurseryman Wim Rutten, who introduced over 3 dozen Alocasia hybrids including ‘Polly’ and ‘Amazonica’.
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Hawaiian hybridizer Jack Kruse, behind cultivars like ‘Sarian’ and ‘Regal Shields’.
These hybridizers helped transform Alocasia from a novelty into a staple ornamental plant with endless cultivated varieties for gardens and interiors.
The Allure Endures
From an ancient Asian medicinal oddity to a global ornamental phenomenon, the journey of Alocasia through history is intimately entwined with our human fascination with exotic flora. While its ancestral medicinal uses have dwindled, Alocasia’s distinctive tropical allure only grows.
Thanks to centuries of exploration, documentation, and hybridization by impassioned plantspeople, the diversity and availability of Alocasia varieties continues to expand. Their sculptural silhouettes and textures enrich gardens and interiors across vastly different cultures and geographies today. Yet in all its forms, Alocasia retains an exotic, tropical allure that has entranced plant aficionados across centuries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alocasia Origins
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What region is Alocasia native to?
Alocasia originated in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and parts of Australasia, including Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, and the Philippines.
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What did ancient cultures use Alocasia for?
Ancient peoples used different parts of Alocasia plants for food, medicine, and traditional remedies. The starchy tubers were cooked and eaten as vegetables while extracts treated anything from wounds to respiratory issues.
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Why is Alocasia associated with the Hindu god Ganesha?
According to Hindu lore, the distinct arrowhead leaf shape of Alocasia plants represent the beloved elephant-headed deity Ganesha, to whom Alocasia leaves are offered.
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When did Alocasia first come to Europe?
Portuguese and Dutch traders introduced Alocasia to Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries as novel botanical specimens from Asia.
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How did Alocasia become popular as a houseplant?
In the 19th and 20th centuries, advances in heating and plant transport enabled the cultivation of Alocasia as houseplants and conservatory specimens in Europe and America.
Exploring the centuries-long history offers insight into how an Asian tropical oddity became one of the most iconic and beloved indoor plants today.
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