Types of Alocasia
- Bright indirect / dappled
- Keep moist, never soggy
- Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)
- Family
- Araceae
- Varieties covered
- 3 cultivars and species
How to tell Alocasia varieties apart
Varieties differ in leaf shape (arrow, shield, scalloped, stingray-like), surface texture (velvet, glossy, ridged), vein color (white, silver, pink, green), and overall size (from Black Velvet, up to 1.5 feet tall, to Calidora, 5 to 9 feet tall or more, per NC State Extension). Petiole color (often deep purple-black) is another key ID feature.
Which Alocasia should you buy?
For beginners: Alocasia Polly or Alocasia Frydek (compact, common, more forgiving). For statement floor plants: Alocasia Regal Shield or Calidora. For dwarf shelf plants: Alocasia Black Velvet (up to 1.5 feet tall, per NC State Extension). For rare collectors: Alocasia Dragon Scale or Alocasia Jacklyn. NC State Extension describes Alocasia × mortfontanensis as suited to warm temperatures and high humidity.
Every Alocasia variety in this guide
- Alocasia JacklynAlocasia sp. (sold as 'Jacklyn') · trade nameArrow-shaped leaves with deep, dramatically lobed margins that give a serrated appearance, dark green with prominent yellow-green veining.
- Alocasia Frydek (Green Velvet Alocasia)Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek' · cultivarNarrow, arrow-shaped, velvet-like dark green leaves with bright white veins and burgundy undersides (NC State).
- Alocasia Black VelvetAlocasia reginula · speciesCompact Alocasia with thick, textured, dark green to black leaves and silver veins (NC State).
Botanical references: Kew Plants of the World Online — Alocasia; NC State Extension — Alocasia; NC State Extension — Alocasia × mortfontanensis
For care that applies to all Alocasia varieties — watering, light, repotting, pests — see the Alocasia care guide.