Alocasia

Temperature:
65-70 F

The ornamental arrow or heart-shaped leaves, often variegated, may interest you in these foliage plants because the foliage colorings and patterns are so pretty. The leaves, however, are not less than a foot long and sometimes as wide, and you may not have space for a plant with flowers of little merit.

Night temperature must never fall below 60 F and humidity must be high or plants drop their leaves. Plants need an abundance of water, porous soil with excellent drainage, and protection from direct sunlight. Progagation is by suckers (which aloca-sias produce readily) or by root cuttings.

Try these two, both from Malaya:

A. cuprea, leaves VA feet long and 1 foot across, purple on the underside and dark metallic shining green on top; A. Korthalsii, leaves about 14 inches long and 6 inches wide, white-veined olive-green on top and purple beneath.