Alocasia odora

Plant Family

Araceae

Plant Botanical Name

Alocasia odora

Photo by: JAMES H. SCHUTTE

Plant Common Name

Asian Taro, Giant Alocasia, Giant Upright Elephant Ear, Hardy Elephant Ear

General Description

Massive, arrow-shaped leaves make the giant alocasia a must-have for a tropical rainforest garden. A native of India, southern China, and northern Myanmar, the large rhizome gives rise to huge herbaceous and fleshy stems and leaves growing grows into a non-invasive clump with time. It also loves moisture, heat and humidity. Perhaps no other taro, even Alocasia macrorrhizos, is larger than this species. It will die back to the rhizome after a frost, and will return in late spring provided the winter cold never reaches any part of the rhizome. The flower, which consists of a spathe and spadix, is fragrant.

Giant alocasia can prosper in a wide range of soils, provided it remains moist and is warm. Sandier soils must have organic matter incorporated. It can grow in muck, and in water, but the water line shouldn't rise any higher than 6 inches/15cm above the rhizome. If winters are cool, reduce watering and stop fertilizing to avoid root rot. Giant taro is most magnificent as specimen or specimen groves with low growing plants around their bases. This provides ample space and scale for the massive leaves to stretch up and out and dominate the landscape. Cultivar 'California' is a sun-tolerant, seemingly smaller and readily-clumping variety. Juice from cut leaves can be a skin irritant on some individuals.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  12 - 9

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  10 - 12

• Sunset Zone

  H1, H2, 1b, 22, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Tender Perennial

• Sun Exposure

  Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade

• Height

  8'-15' / 2.4m - 4.6m

• Width

  6'-20' / 1.8m - 6.1m

• Bloom Time

  Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer

• Native To

  Southern Asia, Southeastern Asia, India, China

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Acidic, Neutral

• Soil Moisture

  Poorly Drained

• Soil type

  Clay, Loam, Sand

• Tolerances

  Wet Site

• Growth Rate

  Fast

• Water Requirements

  Average Water, Ample Water

• Habit

  Clump-Forming

• Seasonal Interest

  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Insignificant

• Flower Color

  White, Light Green, Dark Green, Ivory

• Fruit Color

  Orange

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Lime Green

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Lime Green

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Lime Green

• Foliage Color (Winter)

  Lime Green

• Fragrant Flowers

  Yes

• Fragrant Fruit

  No

• Fragrant Foliage

  No

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  No

• Repeat Bloomer

  No

• Showy Fruit

  No

• Edible Fruit

  No

• Showy Foliage

  Yes

• Foliage Texture

  Bold

• Foliage Sheen

  Matte

• Evergreen

  Yes

• Showy Bark

  No

Special Characteristics

• Usage

  Bog Garden, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Tropical

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  No

• Self-Sowing

  No