The leaves are dense and heavily textured, making for an interesting addition to your houseplant collection or garden. This plant is relatively easy to care for, but like all varieties, it loves humidity. Ensure adequate light exposure without direct sunlight, evenly moist soil, fast-draining potting mix and high levels of humidity. According to research, caladium leaves have the highest level of diversity compared to other popular aroids, such as alocasia, philodendron, and even Syngonium. Your email address will not be published. It is also one of the easiest to grow and care for. Spathes are often confused with petals. The tree-like Philodendron can grow up to 3 ft. (1 m) and have a spread of around 6 ft. (2 m) outdoors. Anything lower than 60F (15C) can cause drooping of foliage and even death. Most climbing or hanging Philodendrons have heart-shaped leaves and long trailing vines. The philodendron has smaller leaves, which are split rather than fenestrated. This Philodendron cultivar is an upright, non-climbing, plant that can reach an upright height of 2 ft. (60 cm). As the lacy tree Philodendron (Philodendron Selloum) grows and matures, its leaves become huge and start drooping. The undersides of the leaves are also interesting, sporting a reddish color that only adds to the appeal of this plant. The darker-leafed species of Philodendron are suitable for shaded areas. Alocasias are prone to pests, specifically spider mites. This indoor plant is an excellent specimen evergreen leafy plant. All Rights Reserved. However, many houseplant varieties have heart-shaped leaves that are much smaller. Other Philodendron types grow upright and have large split or deeply-lobed leaves. There two methods to do this: stem cuttings or tip cuttings. While people still navigate to popular plants like the pothos genus, or philodendron genus, more and more houseplant owners are looking for plants like the Alocasia to diversify their indoor gardens. If you love types of Alocasia with an exotic look, the Yucatan Princess delivers a tropical feeling that youll be obsessed with. The stems grow very high and hold their large leaves in a horizontal manner that creates a sort of umbrella. It has dramatically large leaves with a dark green sheen. If you find spider mites on the leaves, isolate the plant from the rest of your collection and apply pests and mite treatment. For more information on how tocare for your Philodendron plants, please read our full guide. The Dasheen Mosaiv Virus is a virus transmitted by aphids according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Even though Alocasias like humid climates, their watering needs are less than you would think. For more information on how tocare for your Alocasia plants, please read our full guide. Hardiness Zone: 9+. The clumping plant doesnt grow long trailing vines. The length of a heart-shaped leaf ranges between 5 to 7cm. Alocasias grows from a corm, while a Giant Philodendron has a regular root system. It needs bright, indirect sunlight to keep the leaves vibrant. Philodendron houseplants have been a mainstay of indoor gardens for over a hundred years and are prized for their low maintenance nature. Better known as the Alocasia Polly, this type of Alocasia features dark green, V-shaped leaves with thick, protruding primary veins that are light green. To care for your plant properly, mist the leaves daily or place the plant pot on a humidifying tray. Ideally, the sunlight should never shine directly on the foliage. This Alocasia variety usually offers more stems and, therefore, a fuller-looking foliage compared to others in the genus. Once the leaves fully unfurl, the cataphylls tend to stay on the leaf, just . It grows in partial-full shade to fill the darker spots in your garden. For climbing Philodendron species you will need to give your plant something to climb up. In the picture: Philodendron erubescens Red Emerald which has red stems. 14 min read, 11 Tips To Keep Your African Violets Blooming Indoors, How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Philodendron Gloriosum, How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Anthurium Crystallinum, How to Repot a Pothos Plant in 5 Easy Steps, How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Begonia Maculata, Monstera Varieties: 16 Different Types of Monstera Plants. The leaves get up to 10 in (25 cm) long. Luckliy, there are things most indoor gardeners can do to improve their blooms. But it can also make for a beautiful indoor plant. It grows up to 14 in (36 cm) in total. The most important care requirement is to protect them from direct sunlight. Watering requirements: always allow the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil to dry up before watering your philodendron.Do not allow the soil to go completely dry at any time. The sometimes beautiful and sometimes bizarre combination of spathe and spadix known as the inflorescence, and sometimes referred to as a flower, is a distinguishing feature of all aroids. Due to its unique look, the begonia maculata has become more popular in recent years as both an indoor and outdoor cultivar. The Alocasia originally comes from South East Asia but was commercially grown in Hawaii, where it got the name Alii, meaning king.. With almost 100 varieties of Alocasias, choosing your perfect match can be overwhelming. Apply a well-balanced liquid feed through the spring and summer frequently or small amounts of granular feed. This type of Philodendron can be grown as a hanging plant or climbing plant. A few tell-tale differences between pothos and philodendrons are the overall shape and texture of the leaves. The Naugahyde type of Philodendron is also called the pigskin plant due to its thick leathery leaves. Philodendron Florida Beauty Varieties. With careful watering, some hybrids can be grown successfully in potting soil by treating them similarly to philodendrons, letting the soil dry out a bit between waterings. Weekly email gardening tips, product reviews and discounts. The long trailing stems can reach lengths of between 10 and 20 ft. (3 6 m). Stick the stem in a glass of water, making sure the node is submerged. Aroid is the common name for members of the Araceae family of plants, sometimes known as the Philodendron or Arum family. It has large, drooping leaves in the shape of a rounded arrow, making them a dramatic addition to your home or yard. But dont feed them in winter as this can lead to an accumulation of salt and ultimately damage their foliage. Keep an eye out for a new leaf or shoot that . If you want something unique in your home, this plant will wow your plant-loving friends and become a fixture in your home. Alocasia 'Bambino' has deep green, arrowhead leaves with silvery green veins and purple undersides. This makes them suitable for intermediate to expert plant parents. Alocasia doesnt have aerial roots, while Giant Philodendron does. There are a number of houseplants that can grow from leaves alone, provided they have the right care. Thin white veins run over the leaves for a lovely contrast. As a guide, only water when the top few inches of soil have become dry, and remember that the plant goes dormant in the winter so needs a lot less watering. The mission of the International Aroid Society is to provide information, assist in . An easy way to tell the difference between Pothos and Philodendron is the shape of the leaves. The Alocasia cuprea has the most intricate and unusual color scheme of all the Alocasia varieties. When you buy an Alocasia, the soil is usually packed down to ensure no movement during transit. Philodendron veins tend to blend in. Fungal bodies may appear as black dots in the spots, either in rings or in a central cluster. Moderation is key when it comes to watering this plant or fertilizing it during the growing season. Despite the fact that it belongs in the tropics, this plant is hardy and easy to grow. Like nearly all of the most popular houseplants in the UK both of these species are members of the Araceae family of tropical plants. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Instead of an arrow, its foliage is described as sword shaped, with each Alocasia leaf reaching almost 2-feet. Alocasia has a distinctively different colored central vein while Giant Philodendron doesnt. The black velvet variety of Alocasia is a stunning little plant. You can see the distinctive white veining of the genus, complemented with the arrowhead shape. Their arrowhead-shape and fan-like folded leaves can help identify this Alocasia. Other species of Philodendron need brighter light but protected from direct sunlight. is that "philodendron" is any of several climbing plants, of the genus Philodendron, native to America and the West Indies that are often grown as house plants and "alocasia" is any of several tropical Asian plants, of the genus Alocasia, having heart- or arrowhead-shaped leaves. So, whether youre a beginner or an experienced plant parent, you can easily grow one of these dazzling plants. This alocasia is by far one of the flashiest and most unique out of them all. Coming from the Alocasia genus, many Alocasia varieties have similar basic traits, but can differ significantly based on size, color, and shape. Last on the list is a royal-looking type of Alocasia known as the Yucatan Princess. The Alocasia is a plant species native to the subtropics of Asia and eastern Australia. One of the most elegant and minimalistic Alocasia varieties, the Zebrina features smooth, light-green leaves on tall, zebra-striped stalks, resulting in a plant that has a lot of pizzazz. Contents hide The leaves are big and long, creating an enticing appearance with interesting color and design. Alocasia develops both tubers and rhizomes. In this article, gardening expert Madison Moulton looks at her favorite houseplants that will grow from just leaves! Plants will occasionally, albeit rarely when grown indoors, produce insignificant purple spathes. The plant is native to east and southeast Asia. They are multi-colored, with different shades of green and cream, creating a pattern that makes the leaves look like an abstract oil painting. A moss pole or plant support are the best things for this. In contrast, colocasia tubers are large, smaller, and encircled by striped bands. Colocasia tubers are also known as taro and are used for food in Hawaii. The Philodendron Birkin is a stunning variegated type of philodendron with leathery dark glossy leaves. It has large glossy leaves in bright green. Alocasias pair really well with Monstera Deliciosa for a tropical feel in your home. The exquisitely detailed leaves range in size from 4 to 6-inches. The difference between the two is that the Xanadu plant is a specific cultivar of this species. The Zebrina enjoys bright, indirect light and lots of humidity. The Philodendron gloriosum is a species of plant with spectacular dark green leaves and white veins. Its mature height is 2 feet tall and wide. As the name implies, this flowering bush has a strong, sweet fragrance. If you want to grow this type of Philodendron indoors, youll need to have plenty of space. We'll help you spot the difference! Namely, at the widest part of the leaf. These leaves have jagged, long teeth and are narrow and skinny. Its important to check under the leaves for white dots or webbing. The bold markings and large stature of the elephant ear plant varieties are sure to do just that. Its velvety leaves are sensitive to direct light and will easily scorch if not protected by the strong rays of the sun. Rugosum Philodendron has huge heart shaped leaves. The key difference between Alocasia and philodendron is that Alocasia has a large, prominent, heart-shaped leaf with a distinct waxy sheen, while philodendron has a large, glossy, smooth leaf. Sometimes, the veins can take on a blue or purplish color, adding to the stunning palette of this plant. Thinking of growing anthurium crystallinum but aren't quite sure where to start? The corm of colocasia has a less rounded shape. The nickname, Elephant Ear, applies to several other genera of plants, such as Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma. The leaves resemble elongated maple leaves, with their pointed and scooped edges. selloum or P. bipinnatifidum. By Jason White . Very slow to propagate but extremely beautiful plant. The embossed leaves grow out rather than up from their thin, tender stems. It can also be grown in a terrarium as it thrives in high humidity. True split-leaf Philodendron has an entirely different leaf texture than a Monstera. This rule only works to distinguish these two groups; it won't hold up for other Alocasia types as there are non-macrorrhizos types with no leaf tissue between the "ears". Or, you can put it in a hanging basket and let the shiny green leaves brighten up a dull corner of a room or office. The Philodendron grazielae is one of the most intriguing of all the Philodendron species. Hopefully, some of the Alocasia types I discussed have piqued your interest and youll find them in your local garden center. Alocasia plants are a collection of tuberous or rhizomatous perennial plants that are flowering in nature. Philodendron Brasil is a variegated type of Philodendron which is a cultivar of the heartleaf Philodendron. Pothos, on the other hand, have leaves that are thicker and waxier. Youll need a lot of room if you want to grow this upright Philodendron plant as it can grow up to 3 ft. (1 m) tall and 6 ft. (2 m) wide. Proper site preparation ensures years of growth and once established they will not require weed control. The leaves of this variety range between 4 and 6 inches, while the height of the plant ranges from 40 to 80 inches. They can be identified by their arrowhead-shaped leaves that sit on tall petioles. These are pretty low maintenance, so you can grow them in most gardens as long as you get enough humidity and sunlight. The black leaves add a dramatic look that will catch the attention of visitors and other plant lovers. It can also be a great plant to shade smaller plants around it.