Species elephant's ear

elephant's ear

Alocasia 'Metalhead'

Elephant's Ear (Alocasia 'Metalhead') is an exotic tropical plant known for its huge, dark green, heart-shaped leaves patterned in deep purple and white. This ornamental plant makes a fantastic addition to your home or garden, as its impressive size will draw the eye. Its leathery leaves can grow up to three feet long and provide a stunning contrast to the bold colors of its markings. The plant also produces both male and female flowers, although the female flowers tend to be rarer, making the species even more spectacular. With the correct care, 'Metalhead' is a lovely and eye-catching addition to any residential space.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Air Layering Propagation,Stem Propagation,Offsets,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

9 - 11

Flowers:

Flowers not showy Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Tropical:

Yes

Indoors:

Yes

Care Level:

High

watering

Watering for an elephant's ear plant should be done as often as possible, but not so much that the roots are sitting in water. Water should be given more frequently in warmer months. Generally, it is recommended to water this plant at least once a week, and more often in the summer months. Allow the soil to become nearly dry between waterings, but do not let it dry out completely. If possible, misting the leaves of the plant with water can also help to increase the humidity in its surrounding area.

sunlight

Elephant's ear (Alocasia 'Metalhead') will do best when grown in bright, indirect sunlight. An ideal spot for this plant species is that it receives indirect or filtered sunlight for at least 4-5 hours per day. Placing the plant near a brighter, south-facing window should give it the optimal level of sunlight while protecting it from the more direct, intense sunlight that can cause damage. If you want to provide supplemental light, consider using a fluorescent light that is kept on for at least 6 hours per day.

pruning

The elephant's ear (Alocasia 'Metalhead') should be pruned during the early spring season. Pruning should be done lightly and done mainly to encourage bushiness and to keep the shape of the plant neat. Some stems may need to be cut back to an inch or 2 from the soil to ensure maximum growth. A good rule of thumb, for pruning, is to try to take off no more than 1-third of the plant with each pruning session.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Alocasia 'Metalhead' typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Starts Flowering

Alocasia 'Metalhead' typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Hardiness Map