Satiny deep green to black leaves and glowing white veins on 18-inch-long leaves make this elephant’s ear great in containers, in a shady border, at the edge of a pond, or as a houseplant. It also has pale stalks with purplish banding. ‘Frydek’ is very tolerant of a range of soil pH, heat, humidity, and heavy soil. It can even take about a half day of sunlight.
Noteworthy CharacteristicsEmerald green, 18-inch, arrow-shaped leaves with prominent white veining that almost resembles a rib cage. ‘Frydek’ works well as a houseplant because it doesn’t need a lot of light. Contact with sap may irritate skin.
CareIn the garden, this plant needs moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Indoors, grow in filtered light. Needs high humidity, and ample water and fertilizer during the growing season indoors.
PropagationSow seed at 73°F when ripe. Divide the rhizomes, or separate the offsets, in spring or summer. Root stem cuttings from spring to early summer.
ProblemsMealybugs and scale insects outdoors. Fungal and bacterial leaf diseases are common on indoor plants. During propagation, bacterial soft rot can occur.
- Genus : Alocasia
- Plant Height : 1 to 3 feet
- Zones : 10, 11, 9
- Uses : Containers
- Moisture : Medium Moisture
- Maintenance : Moderate
- Growth Rate : Moderate
- Light : Partial Shade
- Plant Type : Perennials
- Characteristics : Showy Foliage
- Plant Seasonal Interest : Summer Interest
