PlantFiles: Variegated Upright Elephant Ear, Giant Taro, Wild Taro
Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Variegata'

A fast growing Alocasia that loves warmth, water and grows fast. Prefers shade, but, will not do well if grown in dense shade. It will turn green if given chemical types of fertilizer, but, returns to variegated leaves when the fertilzer gets used up.

Doesn't live in cool condidtions at all. I have found that my plant does not make a bulb, rhizome or any kind of sizeable underground root. I have to keep mine in a container. I am on the northern edge of Zone 10 and it stops growing even in our most mild winters and will decline in a cold winter.

I have planted it in the ground when I have divided it. The divisions planted in the ground did not return except as very small (I mean tiny 1") plants. A truly tropical Alocasia.

My grand-daughter got an Elephant Ear for her mother last year (2005) for Mother's Day. Although she loved the plant very much, She had the plant in a pot on her patio, watering it once a week or so. She did not have any luck with it and so she brought the plant to me and I moved it indoors. I keep the plant watered to where the soil stays moist, not wet. It is in a well lite room but out of direct sunlight. It seems to do better when it is kept cooler 60 - 70 degrees F. Where my daughter had the plant it was very hot and dry. It has grown alot since I've had it, blooming reguarly during the late summer - mid fall. It will only grow 3 - 4 leaves at a time when a new leaf starts to grow one of the other leaves will immediately wilt. Do not cut the wilted leaf. Let it hang until it turns brown and then cut it to about 3" to the trunk and fold the rest down over the bulb. If you cut the wilted leaf too soon I have found that it will not let another leaf produce. My plant is beautiful. My grand-daughter now buys me the plants.

Purchased my plant from a local grower under the name Alocasia macrorrhiza 'Albovariegata,' but it looks just like the first plant pictured here. The grower said this plant is unusual in that it cannot be tissue cultured as the variegation is entirely random. I also purchased my variegated pine cone ginger from him, which has white margins and green centers, and he said the pine cone ginger can be tissue cultured as the variegation is "regular." I thought this was all very interesting. This grower is specializing in variegated plants that cannot be tissue cultured, hence are rarer, and thus more expensive.

I grew the green type of Alocasia macrorrhiza for years in the Atlanta area, zone 7b. They froze down, but came back. The grower I bought my 'Alboraviegata' from said it was hardy here in north-central Florida, zone 8b. Southern Living Garden Book says the species is hardy to 29F degrees, and will die back at lower temps, but will return in spring if frosts aren't too severe. I've found mulching helps.

I planted my 'Albovariegata' in the shade of a large live oak tree.