You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
Hardiness: USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade
Danger: Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color: Pale Yellow
Bloom Time: Late Summer/Early Fall
Foliage: Grown for foliage Variegated Dark/Black Bronze-Green Smooth-Textured
Other details: Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
On Apr 30, 2004, nnnnnn from Miramar Beach, FL wrote:
This is one of my favorite contrast plants in the garden. I found this plant on a mountain jungle at Golfito, Costa Rica (Pacific side where it is very, very wet) and brought it back to the Florida panhandle where I kept it indoors during winter and put it out in mid April and it prospers well at 60F and above. Near as I can tell, this is a rainforest plant that will fare poorly in low humidity environment. Last year I put it in a small greenhouse with misters where it fared much better with min temp of 50F. Does best in stable environment of 65-85 degrees and very wet. Does exceedingly well in composted soil which matches jungle soil which should be well drained. Place soil on top of broken pot shards for potting and fertilize lightly but frequently and water daily, best with rain water. Does not like chlorinated water!!
The tiny tuber that I brough back from Costa Rica two years ago has now produced three offspring. It's beautiful bronze-green color is a great contrast in the garden but has a nasty habit of flopping over at times for no reason I can discern, but soon recovers. Go figure!
On Nov 29, 2003, amorning1 from Islamorada, FL wrote:
The 2 most common types are Plumbea nigra (black/purple stems) And Plumbea Zebrina (striped stems) Both however have the same leaf as shown in Henry's picture. There some neat tissue cultures out there with reddish stems. I have added a pic of P. Zebrina.
On Aug 30, 2001, JJsgarden from Northern Piedmont, NC (Zone 7b) wrote:
Alocasias are tender tropical plants which grow from rhizomes. They are commonly known as Elephant Ears or African Masks and are grown for their beautiful leaves, which are large and either heart or spade shaped. The leaves are beautifully colored and/or variegated in shades ranging from purple, green, blueish-green, bronze and red. They prefer partial shade, well-drained soil, high humidity and frequent watering. Some varieties can be grown in or near ponds.
When grown in containers outdoors, water freely when in active growth and in the fall, decrease the water when the leaves begin to fade. Bring inside when outside temperatures are around 60°F and once they seemed to have died back or slowed growth for the winter, lightly water only once in a while. In the spring, place in partial shade again and resume regular watering.
Alocasias also make excellent houseplants.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Fort Lauderdale, Florida Orlando, Florida Rockledge, Florida Hawkinsville, Georgia Snow Hill, North Carolina Cincinnati, Ohio Houston, Texas Millsap, Texas
One vendor has this plant for sale.
