Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Tender Perennial
  
Tender Perennial
  
Origin
Southeastern Asia
  
Southeastern Asia, India, Melanesia, Micronesia
  
Types
Taro Alocasia reginula, Night scented lily
  
not available
  
Habitat
Terrestrial, Wet lands
  
secondary forest, shaded woods
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-15
  
8-15
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-8
  
12-5
  
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 22, 23, 24
  
H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Cushion/Mound-forming
  
Clump-Forming
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
White
  
White, Light Pink
  
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
  
Multi-Color
  
Fruit Color
Not Available
  
Not Available, Yellow
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Purple, Dark Green, Silver, Black
  
Yellow, Green, Dark Green, Light Yellow
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Purple, Dark Green, Silver, Black
  
Yellow, Green, Dark Green, Light Yellow
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Purple, Dark Green, Silver, Black
  
Yellow, Green, Dark Green, Light Yellow
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Dark Green, Silver, Black
  
Yellow, Green, Dark Green, Light Yellow
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Heart-shaped
  
broad, flat
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade, Full Shade
  
Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Medium
  
Type of Soil
Loam
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Average
  
Bloom Time
Indeterminate
  
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
  
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Full Sun, Humidity
  
Drought
  
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
  
Pot
  
How to Plant?
Divison, From bulbs, From Rhizomes
  
From Rhizomes, Seedlings
  
Plant Maintenance
Low
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water, Water Deeply
  
Average Water Needs, Do not water excessively, Keep ground moist, Keep the Soil well drained
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Average Water
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Less Watering
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Type
Loam
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Average
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade, Full Shade
  
Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Pruning
Prune to stimulate growth, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Remove deadheads
  
Prune central stem, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, slow-release fertilizers
  
Pests and Diseases
Blight, Mites, Red spider mite
  
Mealy bugs, Red spider mite
  
Plant Tolerance
Full Sun, Humidity
  
Drought
  
Flowers
Insignificant
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
Yes
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Medium
  
Coarse
  
Foliage Sheen
Matte
  
Glossy
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
No
  
Attracts
Spider Mites
  
Birds, Insects, Not Available
  
Allergy
Toxic
  
Unknown
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Showy Purposes
  
Showy Purposes, Wild gardens
  
Beauty Benefits
No Beauty Benefits
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
No
  
No
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Food for insects
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
No Medicinal Use
  
No Medicinal Use
  
Part of Plant Used
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Other Uses
Air freshner, Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes, Used as Ornamental plant
  
Showy Purposes
  
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
  
Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
  
Botanical Name
ALOCASIA reginula
  
ALPINIA zerumbet 'Variegata'
  
Common Name
Elephant Ear
  
Golden Lotus, Shell Ginger, Variegated Shell Ginger
  
In Hindi
Elephant Ear
  
golden lotus
  
In German
Elephant Ear
  
golden lotus
  
In French
Elephant Ear
  
golden lotus
  
In Spanish
Elephant Ear
  
golden lotus
  
In Greek
Elephant Ear
  
golden lotus
  
In Portuguese
Elephant Ear
  
golden lotus
  
In Polish
Elephant Ear
  
golden lotus
  
In Latin
Elephant Ear
  
golden lotus
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Tracheophyta
  
Class
Liliopsida
  
Liliopsida
  
Order
Alismatales
  
Zingiberales
  
Family
Araceae
  
Zingiberaceae
  
Genus
Alocasia
  
Ensete
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Monocots
  
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
  
Tribe
Colocasiodeae
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Aroideae
  
Not Available
  
Number of Species
Not Available