Types of Alocasia Plants

Also known as the Amazonian elephant ear, this type of alocasia plant is one of the most popular as a houseplant. Its leaves are dark green and have white veins in the center that branch out to the sides. The margin of the leaf is wavy, which helps to differentiate it from similar alocasia species.

On the upper side, it has two lobes that give the entire leaf the appearance of an elongated heart or African mask. Its leaves are very shiny and the underside is purple. It can grow to be as large as 3.5" (90 cm), but it is ideal for indoors because it usually stays small in indoor conditions.

A taxonomic synonym is Alocasia × mortfontanensis and you can learn more about caring for the African mask plant with our related guide.

This is a cultivar of the Alocasia x amazonica which was developed to essentially make a smaller version of the African mask plant. This makes it a plant that is even more ideal for small indoor spaces. It differs essentially because it is more compact and always measures less than 12" 30 cm in height.

This species is characterized by having white stems with small brown stripes, which give them unique striped patterns. It is for this reason it is commonly known as the zebra plant. The leaves are elongated, heart-shaped and bright green in color.

It is an exotic alocasia plant and it is not so easy to find it. Also, it is one of the most difficult to care for because it requires the environmental conditions to be in perfect parameters. It needs a warm room, filtered light and constant humidity.

Discover other plants heart-shaped leaves in our related guide.

Also known as mirror alocasia, it is an alocasia with shiny, almost metallic leaves. They are similar in color to copper, between purple and reddish. This is because its scientific name cuprea means ‘coppery’ in Latin. The color is more evident when the leaves are young and changes to green as they mature. The leaves are round, with deep veins that give volume to the leaf.

The Silver Dragon alocasia is special because its main color is an almost silvery white, which dominates the leaf color. They are shiny and are crisscrossed by green veins. In addition, it is a plant that has a compact growth, with medium-sized leaves between 12"-24" (30-60 cm) long.

This is a very special alocasia because it looks like a stingray. The leaves are circular and a long extension extends from one end. They are light green, shiny, with large leaves up to 24" (60 cm) in length it is a cultivar of the species Alocasia macrorrhiza, commonly known as giant taro or taro alocasia. It is endemic to various parts of Australasia and Southeast Asia.

This is a species of alocasia plant with very dark leaves, which appear black in color. Against this background, they have silvery white veins. The shape of the leaf is more rounded than in other alocasias, the veins follow this rounded figure. It is called black velvet because the leaves are black and have a soft texture to the touch, which makes them very striking for plant collectors. They are compact, and grow very slowly.

Learn about different plants with black flowers with thedailyECO.

For those who are lovers of pink, this cultivar of the black velvet alocasia plant will be the one for you. The difference is seen in its variegated leaves which develop a striking pink due. Variegated plants are often sought after by collectors because they are special. The variegated areas begin pink, but will eventually turn into a final white color once they have matured. They must be given enough light, otherwise they lose the variegation.

Also known as the green velvet taro, this type of alocasia plant species produces large and light green leaves that can grow up to 16" (40 cm) long. These leaves have wavy margins and white veins. Its texture is matte and catches the light as if it were velvet, giving visual contrast to the veins. In direct soil, they grow to their full potential, forming clusters with many leaves and ideal for tropical gardens.

It is called this because it is a dwarf alocasia cultivar, which does not exceed 12" (30 cm). It is ideal for bringing life to desks or small places. Its leaves are spear-shaped with a very elongated tip and are dark green with white veins.

We have already mentioned a cultivar of this alocasia species, but the mother plant is beautiful. It produces huge, heart-shaped, tender green leaves that can grow up to 4 ft (1.2 m) in length. While it can be used as an ornamental plant, its main use is as an edible plant in tropical regions of Asia. The tuber that grows underground and is similar to a potato is consumed. They require a cooking process to prevent it from being toxic.

Another cultivar variety of giant taro, it has been modified to create a very exotic plant. Its name gives us an idea of what this plant is like. Its leaves can grow to be very long and have deep veins and rolled margins. This gives it an irregular appearance. They are very shiny and dark green with white veins.

Also known as the silver sword or baroque sword, this alocasia has very long and thin leaves that are dark green on top and have a striking purple underside. The edges of these leaves are serrated, reminiscent of a sword. They are large. The leaves alone can reach 5 ft (1.5 M) in length. The stems have green and purple spots.

Now that you know some types of alocasia species and cultivars, don't miss our article on the different types of monstera plants.

If you want to read similar articles to Types of Alocasia Plants, we recommend you visit our Indoor plants category.