Alocasia ‘Metalhead’
 
Common Names Metalhead Alocasia, Metallic Elephant Ear
 
Zones 9B–11
 
Alocasia ‘Metalhead’ is a hybrid cultivar celebrated for its iridescent foliage and upright, architectural form. A cross between Alocasia portora and Alocasia lauterbachiana, it combines the bold stature of elephant ears with the sleek, metallic sheen of jewel alocasias. Leaves emerge in deep aubergine tones and mature to glossy green with a subtle bronze cast, held aloft on burgundy stems.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Upright, clumping; fast growth rate
Height: 4–6 ft. tall; 3–4 ft. wide
Trunk: Herbaceous; corm-based growth
Leaves: Lanceolate to heart-shaped; glossy green with metallic sheen; purple undersides; 18–30 in. long
Petiole: Thick, burgundy to dark maroon; sturdy and upright
Inflorescence: Rare indoors; pale spathe with greenish spadix
Fruit: Not typically produced in cultivation
Ecology: Hybrid of A. portora × A. lauterbachiana; selected for foliage texture and upright habit
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Bright indirect light to partial shade; avoid harsh midday sun
Watering: Keep soil evenly moist; allow top inch to dry between waterings
Soil: Rich, well-draining mix; ideal blend includes potting soil, orchid bark, perlite, and peat
Temperature: 65–85°F (18–29°C); protect from frost and cold drafts
Humidity: Moderate to high; misting or humidifiers recommended indoors
Propagation: By division of corms or offsets
Tolerance: Sensitive to cold and overwatering; not drought-tolerant
 
Landscape Use Ideal for interiorscapes, tropical patio containers, and shaded garden beds in frost-free zones. Pairs well with Colocasia ‘Black Magic’, Philodendron ‘Dark Lord’, and Calathea ‘Dottie’ for layered dark-foliage compositions.