Alocasia Varieties

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What all alocasias share

Alocasias are tropical aroids native to Southeast Asia and eastern Australia, grown for their large, dramatic leaves on upright stems. They are not vining plants; each stem grows directly from a central corm (underground storage organ) and unfurls one leaf at a time. New leaves emerge as tightly rolled scrolls and open over several days.

All alocasias share a few traits that matter for care: they prefer bright indirect light, consistent moisture without waterlogging, and higher-than-average humidity (50 percent or above). They drop their lower leaves as they grow and may go partially or fully dormant in winter, especially in cooler or lower-light homes. All parts of the plant are toxic.

Compact and medium varieties

Alocasia 'Polly' and Alocasia amazonica

The most widely sold alocasia, Polly is a hybrid selection of Alocasia amazonica with compact, upright, arrow-shaped leaves in deep forest green with striking white or silvery-green veins and scalloped edges. The contrast between leaf color and veins is dramatic and unmistakable. Polly stays relatively small (1 to 2 feet tall and wide), making it one of the few alocasias that fits comfortably on a shelf or side table.

It is beautiful but demanding: it needs bright indirect light, high humidity, and consistent watering with no waterlogging. In dry air or low light, Polly drops leaves rapidly. It is popular in garden centers but is not an easy plant for beginners in difficult conditions.

Alocasia zebrina

Zebrina is distinctive for its stems: long, tiger-striped petioles with alternating dark green and pale cream-yellow markings that look painted on. The leaves themselves are more muted than Polly, solid green and arrowhead-shaped without dramatic veining, but the stems make the plant instantly recognizable.

It is somewhat more forgiving than the jewel types, tolerating a slightly wider range of humidity and light. Given bright indirect light and moderate humidity, it grows steadily and produces impressively long stems as the plant matures. A good choice if you want something unusual and architectural without the high-maintenance demands of the velvet alocasias.

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale'

Dragon Scale is one of the most sought-after alocasia varieties, with thick, textured leaves that resemble the scales of a dragon: deeply embossed, silvery-green on the upper surface with dark green veins creating a quilted, dimensional pattern. The undersides of the leaves are deep purple-red. Each leaf looks three-dimensional in a way that flat-leafed plants simply do not.

It needs higher humidity than many alocasias to keep its texture looking its best; below 50 percent, the leaf surface can dry out and lose some of its dimensionality. Bright indirect light, careful watering, and warm temperatures (above 65 F / 18 C) are essential.

Alocasia 'Silver Dragon'

Silver Dragon is similar to Dragon Scale but with a more pronounced silver sheen on the leaf surface and a slightly softer, smoother texture. The veining creates a silvery-gray grid pattern against a pale green base. A smaller, slower-growing variety well suited to terrariums or enclosed high-humidity environments.

Jewel alocasias: velvet-leaf types

Alocasia reginula 'Black Velvet'

Black Velvet is one of the most prized small houseplants in the aroid world. The compact leaves are thick, velvety, and so dark green they appear almost black, with bright white veins that glow by contrast. The leaf surface has a matte, suede-like texture that catches light beautifully.

It stays small (12 to 18 inches tall at most) and is slow-growing, making each new leaf an event. It demands high humidity (60 percent or above is ideal) and bright indirect light, and is unforgiving of cold air, dry conditions, or overwatering. Best suited for a terrarium or a dedicated high-humidity setup rather than an open shelf in a typical room.

Alocasia cuprea 'Red Secret'

Cuprea has thick, almost metallic leaves with a copper-red or dark bronze sheen on the upper surface and deep purple-red underneath. The color shifts with light angle, giving it an iridescent quality unlike any other common houseplant. As the plant matures, the coppery sheen deepens and the leaf texture becomes more pronounced.

It is slightly more tolerant of lower humidity than Black Velvet but still prefers 50 to 60 percent. Give it bright indirect light for the best color; in low light, the metallic sheen fades toward plain dark green.

Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek'

Frydek (sometimes called Green Velvet Alocasia) has large, velvety, dark green leaves with brilliant white veins. The texture is softer and less metallic than Dragon Scale or Black Velvet, and the leaves grow larger. It sits between the compact jewel types and the full-sized alocasias in scale.

It needs high humidity, bright indirect light, and careful watering. More prone to spider mites than some other alocasias, particularly when humidity is low. One of the more readily available jewel types at specialty plant shops.

Large statement alocasias

Alocasia macrorrhiza (Giant Taro)

Macrorrhiza can grow enormous: in ideal conditions, individual leaves reach 3 to 4 feet long on plants over 6 feet tall. The leaves are plain glossy green without dramatic veining, but the sheer scale is the statement. More tolerant of lower humidity and a wider range of light conditions than the compact jewel types, making it one of the more forgiving alocasias to grow despite its eventual size.

The variegated form (Alocasia macrorrhiza 'Variegata') has irregular white sectoral variegation and is one of the most dramatic and expensive variegated plants available when the variegation is striking.

Alocasia odora

Odora produces large, upright, wavy-edged leaves on thick stems. It is named for its fragrant flowers, which appear occasionally on mature specimens. More cold-tolerant than most alocasias; it is grown outdoors in USDA zones 9 to 11. Indoors, it makes an impressive statement plant in a bright room and is relatively tolerant compared to the jewel types.

Winter dormancy

Many alocasias, particularly compact varieties like Polly, Black Velvet, and Dragon Scale, go through partial or full dormancy in winter in typical home conditions. They drop their leaves one by one until the corm is bare, which looks alarming but is not necessarily fatal. Keep the corm barely moist (not wet, not completely dry) in a warm spot and watch for new growth in spring as light levels improve. Do not overwater a dormant alocasia corm; the lack of leaves means no water is being used and rot risk is high.