TopTropicals Plant Catalog

This catalog is for information only. If you don't see the price - the plant is not for sale.

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The plants are evergreen in warmer climates, but they will die back to ground level in colder climates. Although they are water lovers, this species can take quite a bit of drought. I have seen this plant used as an accent in dry rock gardens.

leaves pinnate, to about 4 m long, bright red when young; fertile leaflets at the tip are covered with red-brown sporangia, blades of sterile leaflets have a broadly rounded end terminated with a short tip.

Acrostichum aureum grows optimally on somewhat elevated grounds in mangrove forests that are well protected from frequent tidal influx and have high rainfall, which tends to desalinate upper soil layers.

These plants are mainly valued for their gorgeous leaves, which are very large, heart-shaped. They also produce small, calla-like fragrant flower spathes.

Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings. Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens.

See photo of flower.

A beautiful plant with flat, V-shaped leaves, deeply scalloped along the margins. The color is shiny, jet-black, with bold white veining. An excellent species for interior, landscape or terrarium use. Forms dense clusters, about 24in tall when mature. Warm, humid, shady conditions are required throughout the summer and plants need an abundance of water when growing. When the leaves fade in fall, less water is required, and when they have died, the soil is moistened once in a while. Care should be taken when planting rhizomes, the top of rhizomes should be planted above the soil line or the leaves could decay at the base. Alocasia sanderiana are propagated by the division of rhizomes in spring.

These plants (commonly known as African Masks and Elephant's Ears) are mainly valued for their gorgeous leaves, which are very large, heart- or spade-shaped and beautifully colored and variegated in gleaming shades of green, purple, bluish-green, red and bronze. They also produce small, calla-like flower spathes. It needs a large pot with good drainage (to about one third the depth) and should be planted ideally in equal parts of lumpy loam and fibrous peat, with some sand and a few lumps of charcoal. The rhizome should be planted at soil level. Feed the plants weekly while growing and protect from strong sunlight. Rest the rhizome in winter. Propagate by offsets in spring. Alocasia grows to about 17" to 25" high.

Species and varieties:

Alocasia Black Velvet

Alocasia cuculata

Alocasia Hilo Beauty

Alocasia macrorrhiza

Alocasia indica Metallica

Alocasia odora

Alocasia reginae

Alocasia sanderiana

Alocasia Stingray

Alocasia triangularis

Alocasia zebrina