Difference Between Alocasia and Colocasia

Alocasia and Colocasia, also known as elephant ears, are both tropical flowering plants from the Araceae family. These plants can add bright touches of colour to any garden or home and they do not require a lot of maintenance. Although they look similar, there are some major differences between Alocasia and Colocasia plants.

Leaf Shape

The leaves of Alocasia plants are smooth and pointed, like arrowheads, while those on Colocasia plants are round with a ruffled texture. Colocasia leaves also tend to be much larger than Alocasia. Alocasia leaves can get up to 24 inches in length and Colocasia can get up to 48 inches in size, making them the larger of the two.

The leaves on Alocasia plants are also quite fragile, whereas Colocasia leaves are very thick and tough. This means that Alocasia plants require more protection from things such as wind and sun so as not to damage their leaves.

Flowering Habits

Alocasia plants rarely flower, and when they do, the flowers are small and insignificant. Colocasia plants, on the other hand, will produce large, showy flowers in shades ranging from white to yellow. It’s important to note, however, that these flowers are only produced when the plants are grown in optimal conditions.

Alocasia and Colocasia plants rely more on their foliage to make an impact than on their flower production. This is due to their flowers not being very impressive in comparison to other flowering plants.