red stem elephant ear plant Alocasia 'Imperial Red'

red stem elephant ear plant Alocasia 'Imperial Red'Alocasia 'Imperial Red' Alocasia 'Imperial Red' is a large hybrid Alocasia with broad green leaves, sturdy petioles and red to burgundy tones most visible on the undersides and stems. It develops a generous elephant ear look in a pot once the root system has enough room to carry larger leaves. Its parentage is Alocasia odora Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Pink Petiole', with broad blades, upright growth and warm growing roots typical of large hybrid Alocasia.

Alocasia 'Imperial Red'

Alocasia 'Imperial Red' is a large hybrid Alocasia with broad green leaves, sturdy petioles and red to burgundy tones most visible on the undersides and stems. It develops a generous elephant-ear look in a pot once the root system has enough room to carry larger leaves.

Its parentage is Alocasia odora × Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Pink Petiole', with broad blades, upright growth and warm-growing roots typical of large hybrid Alocasia.

Broad foliage with red detail

• Foliage: Large green blades with colour contrast strongest below the leaf.
• Stems: Petioles can show red, pink or burgundy tones depending on maturity and growing conditions.
• Scale: Builds into a substantial container plant with warmth, root room and feeding.
• Hybrid background: Alocasia odora × Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Pink Petiole'.

Warm active growth in the pot

This plant has higher water and nutrient demand than many small jewel Alocasia while it is actively growing. The root zone should take a full watering and regain air soon after.

• Light: Give strong indirect light from a large window or grow-light setup. Brighter softened light can improve leaf size and petiole colour.
• Watering: Water deeply once the upper few centimetres of mix begin to dry. Active plants may need shorter intervals in summer.
• Substrate: Use a coarse aroid mix with bark, coco chips, pumice or perlite and a fertile moisture-holding component.
• Pot choice: Use a stable pot that balances the leaf mass while still matching the root ball.
• Temperature: Keep the plant warm, especially after watering, with active growth around 20–30 °C.
• Humidity: Even humidity helps broad new leaves expand with fewer dry margins.
• Feeding: Feed at moderate strength during leaf production. Flush occasionally if salts collect in the mix.
• Repotting: Repot while growth is active so fresh roots move into the new mix quickly.

Petiole colour and root health

• Leaning petioles: Rotate the pot and check whether the plant is reaching for a stronger light source.
• Yellowing after a cold spell: Inspect the lower mix and keep the root zone warmer before watering again.
• Brown edges: Review watering volume, humidity and fertiliser strength.
• Pest marks: Check the undersides of broad leaves for mites and thrips during warm dry periods.

Red petioles in interiors

This hybrid Alocasia is toxic if chewed and can irritate skin when cut. Keep broad leaves and cut stems away from pets and children.

Red petioles behind Imperial Red

The genus name Alocasia refers back to Colocasia, a related aroid genus. Mature petioles and leaf undersides can show red to burgundy colour beneath the broad green blades.