Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’
 
Common Names Imperial Red Elephant Ear, Red-Stem Alocasia
 
Zones 9B–11 (outdoors); Zone 7B+ with protection
 
Alocasia ‘Imperial Red’ is a hybrid cultivar celebrated for its glossy, deep green foliage and vivid reddish petioles. A cross between Alocasia odora and a red-stemmed Alocasia macrorrhiza variant2, this plant offers a compact, bushy form with dramatic color contrast. Its upright habit and leathery, arrow-shaped leaves make it ideal for interiorscapes, shaded patios, and tropical accent beds.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Upright, compact; moderate growth rate
Height: 3–4 ft. tall; 2–3 ft. wide
Trunk: Herbaceous; rhizomatous base
Leaves: Arrow-shaped; glossy green with burgundy undersides; 12–24 in. long
Petiole: Bright red to purplish-red; thick and upright
Inflorescence: Rare in cultivation; pale green spathe with white spadix
Fruit: Not typically produced in container culture
Ecology: Hybrid cultivar; bred for stem pigmentation and compact form2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Bright indirect light; avoid direct midday sun to prevent leaf scorch
Watering: Keep soil evenly moist; allow top inch to dry between waterings
Soil: Rich, well-draining mix; ideal blend includes potting soil, perlite, coco coir, and orchid bark
Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C); protect from cold drafts and frost
Humidity: High (60–80%); misting or humidifiers recommended indoors
Propagation: By division of rhizomes or offsets
Tolerance: Sensitive to overwatering and low humidity; not drought-tolerant
 
Landscape Use Perfect for tropical container gardens, shaded patios, and moody interiorscapes. Pairs well with Philodendron ‘Rojo Congo’, Calathea ‘Dottie’, and Colocasia ‘Black Magic’ for layered red and green foliage compositions.