Upright Elephant Ear plant profile
Alocasia macrorrhizos
A perennial flower for partial sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Upright Elephant Ear
Plant upright elephant ear in spring after the last frost into rich, moisture-retentive soil in partial shade. Freezing temperatures kill the foliage, but in zone 8a and south it regrows from the base when warm weather returns; in colder zones lift or grow it in a container moved indoors for winter.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Upright Elephant Ear in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Partial sun
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 36 to 60 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 8a to 11bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: all parts toxic calcium oxalate, foliage killed by freezing temperatures, wind damage to tender leaves.
Next steps
Continue with Upright Elephant Ear
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Alocasia spp.: Elephant's Ear, Alocasia, Taro (FPS 33/FP033)
UF/IFAS Extension EDIS (University of Florida). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Alocasia (Alocasia species) entry
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.