Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Variegata' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

variegated giant taro

Synonyms

Alocasia macrorrhizos var. variegata

Herbaceous Perennial

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A robust, evergreen rhizomatous perennial to 4m tall, with stout upright stems and narrowly arrow-shaped, wavy-edged leaves, dark green with pale green veins and marked ivory and grey-green. Leaf blades to 1.2m long are held on leaf stalks 1.2m long. Yellow-green flower bracts to 35cm long are borne at any time of year

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1A

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Araceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: TOXIC if eatenskin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Alocasia are robust evergreen rhizomatous or tuberous perennials with large, usually peltate, leaves with conspicuous veins; insignificant flowering spathes may be followed by orange-red fruits
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow indoors in a peat-free houseplant compost with added perlite, in bright, indirect light. Water freely and apply a general liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks from spring to autumn. Provide high humidity by placing the container on a tray of moist gravel or pebbles. Reduce watering to a minimum in winter, and keep above 15°C. See Alocasia for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or summer. Propagate by stem cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Sub-tropical
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free