Alocasia x amazonica (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Indirect bright light
Flowering period: Late spring to early summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 90cm
Eventual Spread: 50cm
Hardiness: 11, 12, 13
Family: Araceae
Alocasia x amazonica is an evergreen tropical perennial with a clump forming habit. Its dark green leaves have white veining and leaf margins, are spear shaped with entire scalloped margins, up to 50cm long and 20cm across. Its green/ yellow insignificant flowers are in the form of a spathe with a yellow spandex. Its roots have rhizomes, from which its leaves emerge.
Alocasia x amazonica, commonly known as Elephant’s Ear or African Mask Plant, is a hybrid between Alocasia longiloba and Alocasia sanderiana.
The etymological root of the binomial name Alocasia is derived from the Greek a meaning ‘not’ and another species of plant Colocasia. Amazonica is named after the nursery in Florida where this hybrid was created.
The landscape architect may find Alocasia x amazonica useful as an attractive foliage houseplant suitable for indirect bright conditions. It should be noted this plant requires high humidity.
Ecologically, Alocasia x amazonica is of little value to UK wildlife.
Alocasia x amazonica Leaf (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
The Royal Horticultural Society have given Alocasia x amazonica their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Alocasia x amazonica prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
When maintaining Alocasia x amazonica as a houseplant its soil should be watered regularly. Watering should be reduced during the winter months to allow the soil to almost dry out. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 18ºc to 27ºc, it will tolerate a temperature as low as 8ºc. Feeding with weak fertiliser solution should be carried out every two weeks during the growing season. Red Spider Mite may attack this plant. This plant may be sprayed with water and/ or place in a tray of moist pebbles to improve humidity.
Landscape Architecture