Plant Library
11 Types of Alocasia: A Buyer's ID Guide
Identify 11 types of Alocasia — Polly, Zebrina, Black Velvet, Frydek, Dragon Scale and more — with care signals. All Alocasia are toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
11 Types of Alocasia: A Buyer's ID Guide
Alocasia (Alocasia spp.) is a genus of tropical aroids prized for dramatic, arrow- and shield-shaped leaves — some glossy and veined, others velvety, metallic or scaled like a dragon. They range from compact "jewel" types that sit on a windowsill to the towering giant taro that can fill a corner. What unites them is a love of warmth, humidity and bright indirect light, plus a habit of going dormant and dropping leaves in winter that alarms first-time growers.
This buyer's guide identifies 11 real, widely sold Alocasia by their visual tells and pairs each with a quick light-and-water signal. One safety note up front for cat and dog owners: there is no pet-safe Alocasia. The ASPCA lists the whole genus as toxic, so this guide is about choosing the right look and care level — not about finding a non-toxic option.
Match a alocasia to your space: Snap your room in Growli — we'll measure the light level and tell you which variety will thrive in your conditions.
Related: Alocasia care guide · types of philodendron · pet-safe houseplants
The 11 most common types of alocasia
1. Alocasia 'Polly' (African Mask) — Alocasia × amazonica 'Polly'
The classic 'mask' look: glossy, dark-green arrowhead leaves with bold, near-white veins and wavy, scalloped edges. 'Polly' is a compact dwarf form of the A. × amazonica hybrid (A. longiloba × A. sanderiana), staying smaller than the full-size 'Amazonica'.
Care signal: Bright indirect light; water when the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of mix dry out. Hates soggy roots and cold drafts.
2. Alocasia 'Amazonica' — Alocasia × amazonica
The full-size sibling of 'Polly' — same dark, glossy arrow leaves with stark silvery-white veins and ruffled margins, but larger and taller. A horticultural hybrid (validly Alocasia × mortfontanensis on Kew's POWO); the 'Amazonica' name is of nursery origin, not African.
Care signal: Bright indirect light; let the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) dry between waterings. Wants 60%+ humidity.
3. Alocasia Zebrina — Alocasia zebrina
The petioles are the showpiece: tall, upright stems patterned in bold dark-and-pale zebra stripes, topped by fairly plain glossy green arrowhead leaves. The striped stems are the reliable ID — beware lookalikes sold without them.
Care signal: Bright indirect light (no harsh midday sun); water when the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) dry. Very prone to rot if left wet.
4. Alocasia Black Velvet — Alocasia reginula
A compact 'jewel' Alocasia, 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) tall, with thick, almost-black velvety leaves and bright silvery-white veins. Leaves are short, broadly heart-shaped and matte, not glossy. Native to Borneo.
Care signal: Bright indirect to medium light (tolerates a touch less); water only when the top half-inch (1 cm) dries. Easily overwatered.
5. Alocasia Frydek (Green Velvet) — Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek'
Velvety, deep-green arrow leaves with crisp white veins — like a green-toned cousin of Black Velvet but with longer, more pointed leaves. The matte, almost suede texture distinguishes it from glossy 'Polly'.
Care signal: Bright indirect light; keep evenly moist, letting the top third of the mix dry between waterings. Loves high humidity.
6. Alocasia Dragon Scale — Alocasia baginda 'Dragon Scale'
Thick, stiff, quilted (bullate) leaves with a raised, scale-like texture — silvery-green with darker green veins and a hardened topside. Undersides are pale cream with maroon veins. A Borneo jewel type.
Care signal: Bright indirect light; let the top 10–15% of the mix dry before watering. Avoid direct midday sun to protect the texture.
7. Alocasia Silver Dragon — Alocasia baginda 'Silver Dragon'
Same baginda 'jewel' build as Dragon Scale but pale silvery-grey, almost frosted, leaves with deep dark-green primary veins and a bumpy, embossed surface. Stays compact, around 2 feet (60 cm) tall and wide.
Care signal: Bright indirect light to keep the silver sheen; water when the top inch (2.5 cm) dries. Don't mist — water pools in the grooves.
8. Alocasia Cuprea 'Red Secret' — Alocasia cuprea 'Red Secret'
Heart-shaped (peltate) leaves with an iridescent metallic copper-to-bronze top surface, raised veins that catch the light, and rich reddish-purple undersides. The metallic shimmer is the unmistakable tell. A jewel-type Alocasia.
Care signal: Bright indirect light with some gentle morning sun tolerated; keep the chunky mix lightly moist, never soggy. Wants 60%+ humidity.
9. Alocasia Stingray — Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Stingray'
Named for the leaf shape: a broad, flat, upward-curving 'body' that tapers into a long whip-like 'tail' at the tip, like a stingray. Dark green with subtle silvery-green veins, on upright stems.
Care signal: Bright indirect light (direct sun scorches); water when the surface dries, more in spring–summer. Tolerates ~40–70% humidity.
10. Alocasia Wentii (New Guinea Shield) — Alocasia wentii
Large, oval-to-shield leaves with a hunter-green top and a striking bronze-to-burgundy underside — flip a mature leaf to confirm. Upright, slightly arching stems; one of the more cold-tolerant ('hardy elephant ear') Alocasia.
Care signal: Bright indirect light; water when the top inch (2.5 cm) dries (roughly weekly in summer, less in winter). Hardier to cooler temps than most.
11. Alocasia Macrorrhiza (Giant Taro) — Alocasia macrorrhizos
The genuine giant: immense, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves up to several feet long, held UPRIGHT on tall sturdy stems (the upright habit separates it from down-pointing Colocasia). A clumping perennial that can reach 5–10 feet (1.5–3 m).
Care signal: Bright light, even some direct sun once established; keep the soil consistently moist in growth, easing off in winter. Needs space and warmth.
Are alocasia toxic to cats and dogs?
All Alocasia are toxic to pets — there is no pet-safe member of this genus. The ASPCA lists Alocasia spp. (common name "Elephant's Ear", family Araceae) as Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, and Toxic to Horses, with the toxic principle being insoluble calcium oxalates. Because the listing is at the genus level, it covers every variety in this guide:
- Toxic (all of them): 'Polly', 'Amazonica', Zebrina, Black Velvet (A. reginula), Frydek (A. micholitziana), Dragon Scale and Silver Dragon (A. baginda), Cuprea 'Red Secret', Stingray, Wentii, and Macrorrhiza (A. macrorrhizos).
- Pet-safe: none.
The calcium-oxalate crystals are a contact/oral irritant rather than a systemic toxin at typical exposures: chewing or biting any part of the plant releases needle-like crystals that cause oral irritation, pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not in horses), and difficulty swallowing (ASPCA). This makes Alocasia best treated as a mildly-to-moderately toxic houseplant — keep it out of reach of curious cats, dogs and children, and wash your hands after handling cut stems or sap. If ingestion is suspected, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. If you specifically want non-toxic foliage, choose a genuinely pet-safe plant instead (see our pet-safe houseplants guide).
Frequently asked questions
Are any types of Alocasia safe for cats or dogs?
No. The ASPCA lists the entire Alocasia genus (Alocasia spp.) as toxic to cats, dogs and horses because of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. No variety — Polly, Zebrina, Black Velvet, Frydek, Dragon Scale or any other — is pet-safe. Chewing causes oral pain, swelling and drooling, and may cause vomiting. If you need non-toxic foliage, choose a plant the ASPCA lists as non-toxic instead.
What is the difference between Alocasia Polly and Alocasia Amazonica?
They are the same hybrid (Alocasia × amazonica, a cross of A. longiloba and A. sanderiana). 'Polly' is a compact, dwarf selection of that hybrid, staying smaller with slightly denser, wavy-edged leaves, while plain 'Amazonica' grows larger and taller. Both have the dark, glossy, white-veined 'African mask' look, and their care is identical. Note 'African Mask' is a nursery nickname — the plant is not from Africa.
Which Alocasia is best for a beginner?
Alocasia 'Polly' is usually considered the most forgiving and is the most widely available, which makes it a common first Alocasia. Alocasia Wentii is also a good entry choice because it tolerates cooler temperatures than most. The compact 'jewel' types — Black Velvet, Dragon Scale, Silver Dragon and Cuprea — are stunning but fussier about humidity and watering, so they suit growers who already keep tropical plants happy.
How do I tell Alocasia apart from Colocasia (both called elephant ear)?
Look at how the leaves are held. Alocasia typically points its leaf tips upward or outward on upright stems, while Colocasia leaves droop and point downward, hanging like a tilted shield. Alocasia leaves are often glossier and more rigid; Colocasia leaves tend to be larger, softer and more matte. Giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos) is a classic upright Alocasia example.
Why is my Alocasia dropping all its leaves?
Most often it is going dormant. Many Alocasia naturally drop leaves and slow down in autumn and winter, especially in cooler or darker conditions, then push new growth in spring. As long as the rhizome or tuber stays firm, reduce watering and wait. Sudden leaf loss can also signal overwatering, root rot, cold drafts or a humidity crash, so check the roots and conditions before assuming the worst.
What are 'jewel' Alocasias?
'Jewel Alocasia' is a hobbyist term for the smaller, slower-growing, highly ornamental species and selections grown for unusual leaf texture and colour rather than size. The group includes Alocasia reginula (Black Velvet), Alocasia baginda 'Dragon Scale' and 'Silver Dragon', and Alocasia cuprea 'Red Secret'. They stay compact, prize high humidity, and are popular as collector windowsill plants — but, like all Alocasia, they are toxic to pets.
How much light and water does an Alocasia need?
Almost all Alocasia want bright, indirect light and protection from harsh direct midday sun, which scorches the leaves. Water when the top inch or two (2.5–5 cm) of a chunky, well-draining mix has dried — they are very prone to root rot if left soggy, but also dislike fully drying out. Most prefer 60% or higher humidity and warmth, ideally around 65–80°F (18–27°C).