Of all the ornamental plants you can grow indoors, Alocasias are among my favorite. It might be because I live in Central Oregon, where winter lasts for six months out of the year, but these plants’ beautiful leaves always make my house feel like a tropical getaway.
Alocasia is a genus of broad-leaved perennial flowering plants in the family Araceae, also called the aroids. It has 97 species that are native to tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia. Many more varieties of Alocasia exist through hybridization.
The smallest species are only 1 to 2 feet tall, while the tallest plants can grow over 12 feet tall and have leaves that are 3 feet long.
For the casual plant lover, though, most of the Alocasias you’ll find in garden centers and plant shops are on the smaller side. These are Jewel Alocasias, a type of tropical aroid that is easier to care for as a houseplant.
Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly,’ Alocasia baginda ‘Dragon Scale,’ and Alocasia rugosa ‘Melo’ are some of the most popular houseplants right now, so the name “jewel” fits them well. ’.
The Jewel Alocasias are remarkable rainforest specimens with unique leaf textures, shapes, and variegation. You may have heard of them as “elephant ears.” This is a common name for a group of species that look a lot alike and have big, heart-shaped leaves. These species are from the genera Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma.
Alocasias are the plants you’ll typically find growing indoors. They’re called “upright elephant ears” because the leaves in each new clump grow vertically, meaning they get taller than the leaves in the previous clump while staying mostly the same width. In most tropical plants, the leaves grow horizontally.
If you don’t live near a great specialty plant shop, the best place to buy Alocasias (especially less common types) is online. I’ve listed my top three online stores below.
Please note that if you buy something after reading this article or clicking on one of my links, I may get paid a small fee.
With their large, dramatic leaves in a stunning array of shapes, textures, and colors, Alocasia plants are rising stars in the houseplant world. But with so many different Alocasia varieties to choose from, it can be tricky to pick the perfect one for your home.
In this guide, we’ll explore 25 gorgeous types of Alocasia, each illustrated with pictures to help you identify key features and differences. Discover must-have varieties like Alocasia Polly and Alocasia Zebrina as well as more unusual cultivars to add intrigue to your indoor jungle.
Overview of Popular Alocasia Varieties
While there are 97 recognized Alocasia species, the varieties covered in this article are hybrids developed for the houseplant trade. Most are “Jewel Alocasias,” prized for their stunning and often metallic-looking foliage.
Alocasias can range dramatically in size, from compact 12-inch plants to towering 5-8 foot specimens. Most indoor varieties reach 1-3 feet tall at maturity
These tropical perennials need warm temperatures, high humidity, and bright indirect light to thrive as houseplants. With good care, they reward you with their mesmerizing leaves!
1. Alocasia Polly
- Also called: African Mask, Kris Plant
- Features: Deep green leaves with wavy edges & thick white veins
- Height: 18-24 inches
- Leaf size: Up to 16 inches long
With its distinctive foliage, Alocasia Polly is the most popular and readily available Alocasia variety. It’s beloved for its tropical look and compact size.
2. Alocasia Bambino
- Features: Arrowhead leaves with silvery veins & purple undersides
- Height: Up to 12 inches
- Leaf size: Approximately 6 inches long
A miniature variety of A. amazonica, Alocasia Bambino is perfect for tabletops or small plantings. It looks very similar to Alocasia Polly but on a smaller scale.
3. Alocasia Ivory Coast
- Features: Glossy green arrow-shaped leaves with pink-blushed stalks
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Leaf size: Up to 16 inches long
This fast-growing hybrid has elongated arrowhead leaves that emerge silvery-green and mature to a darker green. The pinkish petioles add a pretty pop of color.
4. Alocasia Green Velvet
- Also called: Alocasia Frydek
- Features: Velvety dark green leaves with undulate edges
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Leaf size: Around 18 inches long
Despite the velvety name, this Jewel Alocasia has smooth, deep green foliage marked by glowing white veins. The ruffled leaves give it an elegant look.
5. Alocasia Black Velvet
- Features: Near black leaves with silvery veins and succulent-like texture
- Height: 12 inches
- Leaf size: 5-8 inches long
Living up to its vampiric name Black Velvet Alocasia has inky blackish-purple leaves contrasted by pearly veins. The shorter variety has a bushy appearance.
6. Alocasia Black Magic
- Features: Deep purple-black metallic foliage with red-purple undersides
- Height: 14 inches
- Leaf size: 5-6 inches long
Even darker than Black Velvet, Black Magic is one of the most deeply colored Alocasias with leaves so black they appear to shimmer. The compact variety is perfect for desks or shelves.
7. Alocasia Melo
- Features: Blue-green foliage with diamond-shaped texture and metallic sheen
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Leaf size: Up to 20 inches long
Textured like reptilian skin, Melo’s leaves look sculpted from hammered metal. The pronounced veining and bluish overtones make this a real showstopper.
8. Alocasia Grey Dragon
- Features: Dwarf variety with subdued silvery green, glossy leaves
- Height: 12-14 inches
- Leaf size: Up to 6 inches long
A rare hybrid between Alocasia melo and Alocasia reginula, Grey Dragon is smaller in stature with petite silvery green leaves. It needs a little extra care but is absolutely striking.
9. Alocasia Dragon Scale
- Features: Emerald leaves with leathery green “scales” and cream undersides
- Height: Up to 3 feet
- Leaf size: Up to 14 inches long
Living up to its name, Dragon Scale has prominent vein patterns resembling reptile scales. The contrast of the crimson-backed leaves makes this a true showstopper.
10. Alocasia Silver Dragon
- Features: Silvery blue leaves with dark green venation and purple undersides
- Height: Up to 3 feet
- Leaf size: Approximately 6 inches long
Similar to its cousin Dragon Scale, Silver Dragon also has eye-catching metallic-looking leaves in frosty shades of blue, sage, and deep green that resemble dragon scales.
11. Alocasia Zebrina
- Features: Arrowhead leaves with zebra-striped stems
- Height: Up to 3 feet
- Leaf size: Up to 14 inches long
Recognizable by its namesake zebra print-like petioles, Alocasia Zebrina pairs standard green leaves with wildly striped stems. The contrast makes this plant pop.
12. Alocasia Reticulata
- Features: Velvety green leaves with net-like venation and zebra striped stems
- Height: Up to 3 feet
- Leaf size: Up to 14 inches long
Uniquely marked leaves resembling a net or web combined with striking tiger-like stems set Alocasia Reticulata apart. The intricate patterning is mesmerizing.
13. Alocasia Stingray
- Features: Round, ribbed leaves with a pointed “stingray tail” on the end
- Height: 3-5 feet
- Leaf size: 12-24 inches long
One look at Stingray’s paddle-shaped leaves explains its aquatic name. The leaves radiate upward and outward like the wings on a stingray. Truly a bold, statement plant.
14. Alocasia Red Secret
- Features: Deep burgundy leaves with dark contrasting venation
- Height: Up to 3 feet
- Leaf size: 12-18 inches long
Red Secret is named for its eye-catching pinkish-red leaves. New growth emerges coppery before darkening to deep wine-red at maturity for striking color.
15. Alocasia Hooded Dwarf
- Also called: Buddha’s Hand
- Features: Shiny green leaves with wavy edges and prominent veining
- Height: Up to 3 feet
- Leaf size: Up to 12 inches long
With its rumpled, scooped leaves, Hooded Dwarf resembles a flowering green bouquet. You’ll want to touch the gorgeous, glossy foliage.
16. Alocasia Giant Taro
- Features: Huge, upright arrowhead leaves on tall stalks
- Height: Up to 6 feet
- Leaf size: Up to 3 feet long
Aptly named Giant Taro, this imposing plant has substantial leaves that point skyward atop thick, towering stems. Truly a bold architectural statement.
17. Alocasia Longiloba
- Features: Slender blue-green leaves with silvery edges and deep purple undersides
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Leaf size: 12-15 inches long
The uniquely slim, pointed leaves of Longiloba emerge blue-green before revealing their deep purple undersides. The bicolor look is quite striking and different.
18. Alocasia Wentii
- Features: Large shiny green leaves with drip tips and bronze-purple undersides
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Leaf size: Up to 3 feet long
A. Wentii’s enormous leaves look as though they were painted- dripping with deep purple undersides. The sizable foliage makes a dramatic statement in any space.
19. Alocasia Purple Sword
- Features: Long, narrow leaves with scalloped edges and purple backs
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Leaf size: Up to 2 feet long
True to its name, Purple Sword has lengthy, pointed leaves resembling swords or daggers. The deep purple undersides provide beautiful contrast.
20. Alocasia Plumbae
- Also called: Flying Squid
- Features: Wildly curved, slender leaves on twisting petioles
- Height: 12 inches
- Leaf size: 4-8 inches long
With its undulating, tentacle-like leaves on corkscrewed stalks, it’s easy to see why this variety is nicknamed Flying Squid. The bizarre leaves look almost underwater.
21. Alocasia Portei
- Also called: Malaysian Monster
- Features: Deeply lobed leaves reminiscent of arugula
- Height: 5-8 feet
- Leaf size: Up to 4 feet long
Massive jagged leaves make Malaysian Monster look like a supersized, tropical arugula. Given space and warm conditions, it becomes a true monster of a plant.
22. Alocasia Odora Variegata
- Features: Large bi-colored leaves in shades of green, white and pale green
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Leaf size: Up to 16 inches long
The beautifully marbled, variegated leaves of Odora emerge each with a unique mix of greens and creams. The mottling adds intrigue and depth.
23. Alocasia Imperialis
- Features: Blue-green velvety leaves with wine-red undersides and veining
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Leaf size: Up to 17 inches long
Considered one of the most stunning Jewel Alocasias, Imperialis lives up to the name with regal-looking sage and emerald patterned leaves. A real showpiece plant.
Final Thoughts
With so many varieties boasting unique textures, colors, shapes, and sizes, Alocasias offer incredible diversity. Though they require more care than beginner plants, their ornate foliage makes them worth the effort.
Next time you’re plant shopping, keep an eye out for these fabulous Alocasias to bring striking style and intrigue to your indoor jungle.
Alocasia amazonica ‘Bambino’
Even smaller than ‘Polly’ is ‘Bambino,’ a dwarf variety of the already compact Alocasia x amazonica. Alocasia ‘Bambino’ has deep green, arrowhead leaves with silvery green veins and purple undersides.
Each leaf is about 6 inches long and 2 inches wide, and the plant can grow up to 12 inches tall and wide. It’s the perfect plant for small spaces!.
What is the easiest Alocasia to grow?
Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ is a perennial favorite for a reason. It’s the Alocasia that you can find in garden centers and plant shops the most. It grows quickly and is easy to spread by cutting the roots in half and planting the pieces in potting soil.
60 types of Alocasia plants | Name of Elephant Ear Plants | Information about Alocasia |Lipsha world
What are the different types of Alocasia plants?
But while most people might only know one or two types of Alocasia plants, there are actually hundreds of stunning cultivars in a range of colors, sizes, and shapes. 1. Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ 2. Alocasia amazonica ‘Bambino’ 3. Alocasia amazonica ‘Ivory Coast’ 4. Alocasia micholitziana ‘Frydek’ 5. Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet’ 6.
What does Alocasia look like?
The plant grows relatively tall, with pointy heart-shaped leaves at the top of each branch. But the stem is the enticing part of this Alocasia, as it is a soft shade of beige spotted and striped with dark brown, making it look exotic and beautiful. Corazon, also known as the blue metallic plant, has glossy bluish-green leaves.
What are the best types of Alocasia?
Here are some of the best Types of Alocasias you can grow! 1. Amazonica One of the most popular and exotic houseplants, the Amazonica is a cross between Alocasia longiloba and Alocasia sanderiana and looks simply fabulous! 2. Micholitziana Frydek Commonly known as Alocasia Green Velvet, it resembles Alocasia Polly in shape, color, and size.
What is an Alocasia plant?
Alocasias are some of the most elegant, attractive tropical plants available. Known for their heart-shaped or arrow-shaped leaves, gently arcing stems, and upright growth habit, alocasia varieties range from compact, colorful jewel alocasias to large-leaved elephant ear plants that can grow more than ten feet tall when planted outdoors.
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