Many individuals associate Alocasia plants with images of elephant ears and African masks. However, this genus showcases even more stunning characteristics that surpass the expectations of plant enthusiasts.
There are leaves of all shapes, sizes, and colors. This list includes some of the most unique and rarest alocasia plants.
1. Alocasia azlanii
This alocasia is a highly sought-after variety that can currently only be found in one location in the wild (Borneo).
Young Alocasia azlanii (commonly referred to as Jewel Alocasia) leaves are green with purple veins that grow into a gorgeous deep purple to chocolate color.
- Common Name: Jewel Alocasia or Red Mambo
- Average Price: $75-125
- Average Size: 2 feet
- Key Features: Waxy, chocolate-purple leaves
2. Alocasia zebrina
The large, broad leaves of Alocasia zebrina beautifully juxtapose the dark and light striping along the stems. This variety is smaller than most Alocasias.
- Common Name: Alocasia Zebrina
- Average Price: $40-75
- Average Size: 1-3 feet
- Key Features: “Zebra”-striped stems
3. Alocasia baginda ‘Silver Dragon’
Silver Dragon has beautiful gray-silver leaves with pronounced green veins. The texture of the leaves gives the surface a shimmer reminiscent of fantasy dragons.
- Common Name: Silver Dragon or African Silver Mask
- Average Price: $30-50
- Average Size: 1-2 feet
- Key Features: Silver leaves
4. Alocasia chantrieri
Alocasia chantrieri is a hybrid of Alocasia metallica and Alocasia sanderiana.
Even though it is a special plant, the price is lower than other Alocasia varieties because it has been cultivated widely for sale.
- Common Name: Chantrieri
- Average Price: $30-50
- Average Size: 1-3 feet
- Key Features: Deep green, rippled leaves
5. Alocasia macrorrhizos ‘Stingray’
The name “Stingray” comes from the broad stingray-shaped leaves. These Alocasias will remain smaller when grown as houseplants but can grow to 6 feet tall when grown outdoors.
- Common Name: Alocasia Stingray
- Average Price: $20-40
- Average Size: 2-4 feet
- Key Features: Leaves that resemble a stingray
6. Alocasia baginda ‘Dragon Scales’
Alocasia baginda ‘Dragon Scales’ is similar to ‘Silver Dragon’. The leaves of ‘Dragon Scales’ are shinier and lack the distinct silver sheen but still have the same deep veins.
- Common Name: Dragon Scale or Dragon Plant
- Average Price: $20-50
- Average Size: 1-3 feet
- Key Features: Leaves that resemble dragon scales
7. Alocasia micholitziana ‘Frydek’
Also known as Green Velvet, Alocasia micholitziana ‘Frydek’ has leaves with the classic “elephant ear” shape.
- Common Name: Frydek or Green Velvet
- Average Price: $20-40
- Average Size: 1-3 feet
- Key Features: Velvety arrowhead-shaped leaves
8. Alocasia macrorrhiza ‘Giant Taro’
Giant Taro grows up to 15 feet high when grown outside but will stay under 8 feet when grown indoors. The leaves of Giant Taro are large and stand upright.
- Common Name: Giant Taro or Giant Elephant Ear
- Average Price: $10-20
- Average Size: 4-6 feet
- Key Features: Large, broad leaves
9. Alocasia lauterbachiana ‘Purple Sword’
The leaves of Purple Sword have scalloped edges and a purple-green tint on the bottom of the leaves and on the undersides.
This plant has longer and thinner leaves than most Alocasias.
- Common Name: Purple Sword
- Average Price: $30-50
- Average Size: 1.5-3 feet
- Key Features: Serrated sword-shaped leaves
10. Alocasia melo
Alocasia melo is known for its extremely thick leaves. Intricate and beautiful veins crisscross the top of the leaves.
- Common Name: Alocasia Melo or Alocasia Rugosa
- Average Price: $50-70
- Average Size: 1-2 feet
- Key Features: Thick leaves
11. Alocasia longiloba
This plant is also known as Dragon’s Tooth because of the shape of the leaves, which are described as arrow or tooth shape. The leaves have a shiny blue-green color and silver veining.
- Common Name: Dragon’s Tooth
- Average Price: $10-20
- Average Size: 1-2 feet
- Key Features: Arrow-shaped leaves with silver veins
12. Alocasia macrorrhiza ‘Variegata’
Variegated Alocasia is a striking blend of large “elephant ear” leaves and various shades of variegation. The effect only gets more intense as the plant grows and the leaves become larger in size.
As with most variegated plants, the price for a Variegated Alocasia will vary based on the amount of variegation that the plant has.
- Common Name: Variegated Alocasia
- Average Price: $50-200
- Average Size: 3-6 feet
- Key Features: Large variegated leaves
13. Alocasia reversa
Alocasia reversa is a type of Jewel Alocasia and is known as the Blue Jewel.
The gorgeous blue-gray leaves have a soft, velvety appearance and dark green veins.
- Common Name: Blue Jewel
- Average Price: $20-40
- Average Size: 1-2 feet
- Key Features: Blue-gray arrowhead-shaped leaves
14. Alocasia plumbae ‘Flying Squid’
Of all the Alocasia varieties, Flying Squid might be the most unique.
This Alocasia looks more like an air plant or twigs than it does an Alocasia. The thin, spindly leaves grow outward in every direction.
- Common Name: Alocasia Flying Squid
- Average Price: $20-40
- Average Size: 1 foot
- Key Features: Thin tubular stems with matching thin leaves
15. Alocasia amazonica ‘Bambino’
Bambino is the dwarf variety of Alocasia amazonica. This variety does not occur in the wild and was created through selective breeding of the smallest plants.
The leaves resemble thin arrowheads and have broad white veining on the shiny green surface.
- Common Name: Alocasia Bambino
- Average Price: $15-40
- Average Size: 6-12 inches
- Key Features: Small size, wide veining
16. Alocasia sanderiana
The Kris Plant (Alocasia sanderiana) is a popular houseplant throughout southeast Asia.
The plant is considered endangered in the wild due to collection for sale. It is a parent plant for many hybrid Alocasia varieties
- Common Name: Kris Plant
- Average Price: $30 and up
- Average Size: 1-2 feet
- Key Features: Striking arrow-shaped leaves with rippled edges
17. Alocasia odora ‘Variegata’
Alocasia odora ‘Variegata’ is one of the more expensive and rare Alocasia varieties. The plant has broad “elephant ear” leaves that are speckled with various shades of variegation.
- Common Name: Variegated Elephant Ear
- Average Price: $100-125
- Average Size: 2-4 feet
- Key Features: Broad, variegated leaves
18. Alocasia cuprea ‘Red Secret’
The leaves of Red Secret almost look fake. They boast an unmatchable shine and iridescence coloration.
Approaching the plant from different angles will show off the different colors of the leaves.
- Common Name: Red Secret or Mirror Plant
- Average Price: $40-60
- Average Size: 1-2 feet
- Key Features: Red-tinted iridescent leaves
19. Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet’
For how beautiful this plant is, Black Velvet does not cost too much. It is an affordable option to add a unique plant to your connection.
The leaves of Black Velvet are deep green with a soft, velvety surface and white veins.
- Common Name: Alocasia Black Velvet or Little Queen Alocasia
- Average Price: $10-20
- Average Size: 6-18 inches
- Key Features: Deep-green, velvety leaves
20. Alocasia wentii ‘Vintage Silver’
This extremely rare Alocasia variety has a unique variegation pattern.
Unlike other variegated Alocasias that have large patches of light coloration, Vintage Silver has subtle variegation. This patterning gives the leaves an old and antique look.
- Common Name: Alocasia Vintage Silver
- Average Price: $100+
- Average Size: 1-2 feet
- Key Features: Variegated unique leaves
21. Alocasia corazon
Alocasia corazon is fairly common in its native Phillipines, but it can be harder to find in the United States. It has arrowhead-shaped, shiny, blue-green leaves.
- Common Name: Alocasia Corazon
- Average Price: $75-150
- Average Size: 1-3 feet
- Key Features: Gorgeous blue-green leaves
22. Alocasia puncakborneoensis
Alocasia puncakborneoensis was recently discovered and has quickly become a collector’s favorite. One end of the leave is rounded and the other is pointed.
The leaves are incredibly shiny and turn from light green to dark green as they age.
- Common Name: Alocasia Puncakborneoensis
- Average Price: $150+
- Average Size: 2-4 feet
- Key Features: Shiny, dark-green leaves
23. Alocasia cucullata ‘Hooded Dwarf’
Hooded Dwarf is a small variety of the popular elephant ear plants. The heart-shaped leaves are a lovely green color and placed atop long, thin stems.
- Common Name: Hooded Dwarf or Buddha’s Palm
- Average Price: $15-30
- Average Size: 2-3 feet
- Key Features: Heart-shaped leaves on long stems
24. Alocasia heterophylla ‘Dragon’s Breath’
The leaves of Dragon’s Breath have a unique elongated arrowhead shape. Young leaves are vibrant green and fade to a muted blue-green as they age.
- Common Name: Alocasia Dragon’s Breath
- Average Price: $75-100
- Average Size: 2 feet
- Key Features: Elongated arrowhead-shaped leaves
That’s a Wrap!
Next time you’re looking for some new houseplants, skip the popular elephant ear and African Mask varieties and opt for a more unique Alocasia.
This diverse genus offers many rare and striking plant varieties with something for everyone, no matter what your tastes happen to be.