Alocasia (Elephant ear plant)

Beautiful Alocasia houseplants

The Alocasia, also known as Elephant's Ear, is a trendy houseplant that is becoming increasingly popular! It gets its name from its imposing leaves that strongly resemble the ears of an elephant.

Originally from the tropics, this tropical plant grew in the lush rain forests where it served as a natural shelter from heavy rainfall. The Alocasia evolved into a ‘natural umbrella’ thanks to its impressive leaves that can sometimes reach 1.5 metres in length.
Maintaining an Alocasia does require some attention and dedication. This makes it a suitable choice for the true plant lover. Elephant ears require regular and sufficient water, where the soil does not dry out. With careful attention to our care tips, you can enjoy the beautiful Alocasia for a long time. If you consider in advance that caring for this plant might be a challenge, it might be wiser to choose a plant with fewer requirements. Perhaps one of our easy houseplants will suit you!

Is an Alocasia air-purifying?

The Alocasia is known for its air-purifying properties. Like many other houseplants, the Alocasia can help improve the air quality in your home. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during the photosynthesis process. Moreover, they can filter certain pollutants from the air.

Is the Alocasia poisonous?

Unfortunately, the Alocasia contains toxic substances. The plant contains oxalates, which can cause irritation when ingested. These oxalates can lead to irritation of the mouth, throat and digestive system.
Keep Alocasia out of the reach of pets and children and make sure they do not come into contact with the plant. If parts of the plant are accidentally ingested, it is advisable to seek medical attention immediately.
It is always wise to inform yourself well about the possible toxicity of houseplants, especially if you have them in your home where children or pets are present. In this case, take a look at our animal-friendly houseplants.

Can the Alocasia flower?

The flower of an Alocasia is not often found. A flowering Alocasia is a special phenomenon that indicates that your plant is doing very well. Because producing flowers takes a lot of energy, it is often better to cut off the flower. That way, the Alocasia can use that energy for strong growth of its leaves and roots. That way, your plant will stay looking healthy and vibrant.

Different types of Alocasia plants

There are many different Alocasia species, from small to very large! So there's a suitable Alocasia for every living room! At Green Bubble you'll find many different Alocasia species to choose from.

Alocasia Wentii

The Alocasia Wentii is a very special plant. Its leaves are green with a red glow. We have the Wentii in medium size, namely 80 cm!

Alocasia Portodora

We have this sturdy variety with multiple stems. So your Alocasia Portodora is a sturdy eye-catcher and will certainly stand out!

Alocasia Zebrina

With its unusual striped stems, this houseplant really is our all-time favourite. The Alocasia Zebrina is a standout in its appearance.

Alocasia Cucullata

The Alocasia Cucullata is an absolute top houseplant from the tropics and with its arrow-shaped, bright green leaves it makes quite the splash.

Caring for an Alocasia

The Alocasia is a plant that requires a little more dedication than the average houseplant, making it the perfect choice for true plant lovers. An important aspect to know is that the plant can drop water droplets. This is called guttation, which unfortunately cannot be prevented. If you have a wooden floor, it is good to take this into account!
The Alocasia thrives in a humid environment. The plant stores water in its stems, providing moisture to the cells in its large leaves. In addition, the Elephant Ear needs sufficient sunlight. In short, the Alocasia is a plant that likes to be in the spotlight.

If you care for the Elephant Ear lovingly, you can enjoy its unique character and impressive tropical leaves for a long time. Investing time and attention in the Alocasia will certainly result in a beautiful and healthy addition to your plant collection.

Watering an Alocasia

The Alocasia is a plant that hates dry soil. It thrives best in slightly moist soil, which means regular care is necessary. Preferably give the Elephant Ear plenty of water weekly, but make sure the roots are not constantly in water to avoid root rot. A useful way to check whether the Alocasia needs water is to use a moisture meter or water gauge.
Also pay attention to the plant's signals: drooping leaves may indicate a lack of water, while a yellow edge on the leaves may actually indicate too much water. Start with small amounts of water and observe how the plant responds, as its need for water can vary depending on factors such as humidity and light levels. As the Alocasia loves moisture, it is also recommended to water the plant occasionally to maintain its beautiful green colour.

The perfect location for an Alocasia

The Alocasia thrives best in abundant direct sunlight. Place the Elephant Ear close to a window where the plant receives plenty of full sun. If the plant does not receive enough light, the stems will stretch in search of more sunlight. This growth towards the light can lead to overly long stems that may break due to the weight of the leaves.
The plant thrives in a warm and humid environment. Avoid placing Elephant Ear near a stove or radiator, as dry air is not desirable for houseplants. So a perfect location is near a window and away from heat sources.

If you notice that the plant is showing a dead leaf, don't panic! The Alocasia regularly sheds old leaves. With enough light, new, fresh leaves will soon appear.

Repotting an Alocasia

The Alocasia is a fast grower and therefore needs regular repotting to thrive optimally. Repotting offers the Elephant Ear more space for new roots and extra nutrients. When you decide to repot your Alocasia, it is advisable to choose a pot that is at least 20% larger than the original growing pot or old pot the plant was in. This extra space encourages healthy growth and reduces the risk of drying out and root rot. When repotting, always use a watertight inner sleeve, filling castrat and a moisture meter.
Ideally, repot the plant in spring or summer. During these seasons, the plant has more energy to repair any damage and adapt to its new environment.

Pruning an Alocasia

The Alocasia is a self-sustaining plant that naturally shed old leaves. This process usually starts with the lower leaves, which turn brown at that point. To keep the Elephant Ear looking fresh and vital, you can prune these old leaves by cutting them off about 4 cm from the base. This pruning method encourages the plant to grow new, healthy leaves quickly.
Over time, you can easily remove the last piece of stem, as it will dry out on its own. If the Alocasia becomes too wide for your space, you can also prune the outer leaves in the same way as the old leaves. By doing this regularly, the Alocasia retains its attractive look and ensures a tidy and healthy appearance in your home.

Feeding the Alocasia

Are you considering giving your Alocasia plant nutrition? Then do so according to the instructions only in spring and summer. In autumn and winter, your Elephant Ear rests and doesn't need extra nutrition. Be careful never to overfeed as this can have adverse effects on the plant.

Alocasia diseases

The Alocasia can be susceptible to spider mites if the air in its environment is too dry. To prevent spider mites in the Elephant Ear, it is essential to spray the plant regularly. By misting the Alocasia, you minimise the chance of spider mites trying to settle on the plant. Should this preventive measure not be effective against spider mites, it always remains an option to consider chemical or biological pesticides. Recognising and dealing with pests in time will help maintain the health and beauty of your Alocasia.

Buy Alocasia houseplants at Green-Bubble

Are you planning to buy a beautiful tropical Alocasia? Buying an Elephant ear plant is easy at Green Bubble! The moment you buy an Alocasia, you naturally want the most healthy and beautiful-looking plant. At Green Bubble we work hard every day to deliver the best plants to our customers. All the Elephant ear plants we sell are always fresh from the grower!
A happy customer and a healthy plant make us very happy. You want to buy a beautiful Alocasia but don't feel like going to the garden centre? Logical, fortunately you can easily order the Elephant Ear online at Green Bubble. We make sure you never have to drag a plant around again!
Ease of ordering and beautiful houseplants, that's what Green Bubble stands for. Would you like to buy a beautiful tropical Alocasia? Join the Green Bubble!