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Conservatory GreenhouseHouseplants

Alocasia reversa

reverse-leaved elephant's ear plant

This is a relatively rare rhizomatous, evergreen species, grown for its attractively marked, leathery, elongated, heart-shaped leaves, which are dark green on either side of the main veins and silver in between the veins. It is native to the wet, tropical forests of Borneo, where it grows in pockets of soil and leaf litter on rocky outcrops. Plants can reach up to 60cm in height and 50cm in width. Flowers consist of a pale green, sheath-like spathe, which is flushed with dark red at the base, surrounding a white spadix or column. These are of secondary interest, however, to the plant’s spectacular foliage

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–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

Botanical details

Family: Araceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant/allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant/allergen - For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
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: Correct
Plant range: Borneo

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in an open, ericaceous, well-drained, but moisture-retentive mix, which can include, ericaceous peat-free compost, lava rock or pumice, fine fir bark and leafmould or chopped sphagnum moss, choosing a position in bright, but diffused light. These plants prefer growing in a year-round temperature, between 18-25C. During the growing season, allow the top 5cm of the compost to become just dry, before thoroughly watering the compost. Use clean rainwater at room temperature, if the tap water in your area is hard, to avoid turning the compost alkaline, which would eventually become toxic to the plant. Avoid plants sitting in water for long periods, which can cause the roots to rot. Apply a liquid houseplant fertiliser monthly during the growing season, April to September. Water may be required less frequently in winter, when growth slows right down, and stop feeding the plant until the spring. Repot every 2-3 years. See Alocasia and houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division once clumps are produced, or by division of the rhizome, potting the sections up individually to root and grow on

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects, glasshouse red spider mite and mealy bugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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