Alocasia x amazonica (Amazonian Elephant Ear)

Amazonian Elephant Ear, African Mask

A striking and beautiful houseplant, Alocasia x amazonica (Amazonian Elephant Ear) is a robust rhizomatous evergreen perennial with dark green, narrowly arrow-shaped, wavy-edged leaves, up to 2 ft. long (60 cm), adorned with ribs and margins marked in bright creamy white. Reminiscent of calla lily flowers, yellow flowers appear sporadically amid the boldly patterned leaves on older plants. Excellent tender perennial as a focal or specimen plant. A fairly popular ornamental houseplant. Amazon Elephant Ears are truly tropical plants – they appreciate lots of warmth, humidity, and water.

Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
Grows up to 3 ft. high (90 cm) and 2 ft. wide (60 cm)
Performs best in part shade in organically rich, moist to wet soils. Provide a sheltered location to protect the decorative leaves from strong winds. Plants require regular watering and fertilization. Reduce watering in winter.
Perfect as a green houseplant, for containers or for the shade garden.
Virtually disease-free. Watch for spider mites, mealy bugs.
Ingestion may cause severe discomfort.
Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
Native to southeast Asia

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Often grown for their dramatic foliage reminiscent of elephant ears, Colocasia and Alocasia are terrific tender perennials that provide a strong ornamental interest and quickly give a touch of the tropics in gardens or containers. Impossibly exotic, their architectural shapes make them perfect for planting as focal plants or massed to create a tropical effect. Easy to grow, they stand proud and bold provided some basic rules are respected.

Requirements

Hardiness	10 - 12
Climate Zones	22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type	Perennials
Plant Family	Araceae
Genus	Alocasia
Common names	African Mask, Elephant Ear
Exposure	Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing	24" (60cm)
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Loam
Soil pH	Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics	Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Garden Uses	Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles	Mediterranean Garden

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Alternative Plants to Consider

Alocasia ‘Mayan Mask’ (Elephant Ear)

Alocasia ‘Portora’ (Elephant Ear)

Alocasia x amazonica ‘Polly’ (Amazonian Elephant Ear)

Alocasia odora (Night-Scented Lily)

Alocasia macrorrhiza (Giant Taro)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

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