Create Your Garden

Alocasia odora (Night-Scented Lily)

Night-Scented Lily, Asian Taro, Giant Upright Elephant Ear

Alocasia odora, Night-Scented Lily, Asian Taro, Giant Upright Elephant Ear, Fragrant Alocasia, Fragrant Plants,

A breathtaking beauty, Alocasia odora (Night-Scented Lily) is a rhizomatous evergreen perennial which is terrific for bringing a lush look to gardens or containers. Resembling the ears of an elephant, lustrous, brilliant green, paddle-shaped leaves are borne on strong stems. Large, they can reach 2 ft. in length (60 cm) and 1 ft. in width (30 cm). They are arrow-shaped at their bases and stand upright, pointing skyward, unlike the leaves of Colocasia which droop and point toward the ground. The new leaves are almost lime green and glow nicely until they begin to age and are upstaged by younger leaves. Reminiscent of calla lily flowers, the blossoms consist of a pale peach spathe and spadix. They are wonderfully fragrant, most particularly at night, and bloom in late spring through summer. The seedpods, packed with shiny red berries, are unexpectedly bold. Excellent tender perennial as a focal or specimen plant. Thrives in heat and humidity.

  • Grows up to 4-8 ft. high (120-240 cm) and 3 ft. wide (90 cm)
  • Performs best in sun or 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.
  • Watch for spider mites, scale, mealy bugs and aphids.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Native to east and southeast Asia

Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Splendid Elephant Ears


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 9 - 11
Heat Zones 8 - 11
Climate Zones 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Araceae
Genus Alocasia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4' - 8'
(120cm - 240cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Alocasia (Elephant Ear, Giant Taro) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Alocasia ‘Mayan Mask’ (Elephant Ear)
Alocasia ‘Portora’ (Elephant Ear)
Alocasia x amazonica ‘Polly’ (Amazonian Elephant Ear)
Alocasia x amazonica (Amazonian Elephant Ear)
Alocasia macrorrhiza (Giant Taro)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Splendid Elephant Ears
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.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Heat Zones 8 - 11
Climate Zones 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Araceae
Genus Alocasia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4' - 8'
(120cm - 240cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Alocasia (Elephant Ear, Giant Taro) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Alocasia odora (Night-Scented Lily) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Alocasia odora (Night-Scented Lily) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone