Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek' (Elephant's ear)

Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek' Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner



Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek' Common Name: Elephant's ear Genus: Alocasia
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 characteristics: Emerald 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.
Care: In 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.
Propagation: Sow 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.
Problems: Mealybugs and scale insects outdoors. Fungal and bacterial leaf diseases are common on indoor plants. During propagation, bacterial soft rot can occur.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Part Shade Only
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Moderate
Characteristics Showy Foliage
Foliage Color Variegated Foliage
Uses Beds and Borders,Container,Indoor Plant
Seasonal Interest Summer Interest
Type Perennials

Similar plants you might like

Eucomis comosa 'Oakhurst' Eucomis comosa 'Oakhurst'
(Pineapple lily, Pineapple flower)
(1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This bulbous perennial has striking reddish purple, strap-like leaves and foot-long purple flowers that resemble pineapples in late summer. Grow in a sunny border, container, or greenhouse. Plants used outdoors may be overwintered in a frost-free location. The species is native to South Africa.

Euphorbia 'Helena’s Blush™'
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This hybrid has petite green-and-cream variegated foliage with a hint of pink on the undersides. It produces chartreuse and apple green bicolored bracts on airy stems.

Alstroemeria 'Casablanca' Alstroemeria 'Casablanca'
(Peruvian lily)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Casablanca' Peruvian lily is the closest to white that this genus has gotten as of yet. Inside its amaryllis-shaped white flowers, reddish dashes on a yellow wash and a pale pink throat add interest. 'Casablanca' is also taller than most other Alstroemerias. They make great cut flowers and are frequently used by florists; they also add a tropical feel to beds and borders. Roots are very brittle and care should be taken when planting.

Canna 'Centenaire de Rozain-Bourcharlat'
(Indian shot)
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This 3-foot-tall canna from the 1920s has impossibly deep, pure-rose flowers recalling orchids and leis. It's an old French variety.

Canna 'Madame Paul Caseneuve' Canna 'Madame Paul Caseneuve'
Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A great canna to start with if you're convinced you hate them is 'Madame Paul Caseneuve', from 1902. The pearly-bronze leaves and almost purple stems of this 3- to 5-foot-tall antique beauty are the perfect foil for its elegant, sensual flowers of soft pink shading to peach and apricot.