Alocasia cucullata (Hooded Dwarf Elephant Ear)

There’s a real tropical look to this tall, elegant plant. Glossy, heart-shaped leaves on the end of long stems make a simple statement. As long as you remember to water it regularly it’s pretty easy to look after.

It’s not known where this plant originated, but it’s found all across Asia, where it grows very easily. It can grow to enormous sizes in the wild, with leaves reaching 80cm long. Sometimes it even flowers, though this is extremely unlikely indoors.

Kept as a houseplant it likes quite bright light and regular water (it won’t like to dry out). It will also love you if you give it a feed with liquid fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

This plant is used as a good luck charm at Buddhist temples in Laos and Thailand.

Supplied in a 17cm pot

Height 50cm