Alocasia 'Calidora'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-loh-KAY-see-ah cal-i-DOR-ah
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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'Calidora' is a hybrid herbaceous perennial in the arum family (Araceae). It was bred by crossing Alocasia odora with Alocasia 'California.' The identity of A. 'California' is uncertain. It may be a cultivar of A. odora, or it may be a plant that was then known as A. gageana but is now known as Englerarum montanum. If A. 'California' is a cultivar of A. odora then A. 'Calidora' is also a cultivar of that species. If E. montanum was the parent, then 'Calidora' is an intergeneric hybrid. The hybrid was first made by Florida horticulturist LariAnn Garner.
'Calidora' or Calidora Upright Elephant Ear has very large, attractive, tropical-looking leaves. The plant will grow 5 to 9 feet tall in a vase-shaped habit. It has upright clusters of long stems and arrow-shaped, ribbed, bright green leaves that may become 6 feet long and 3 feet wide.
This plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight, fertile, moist, well-drained soil, warm temperatures, and high humidity. It thrives in temperatures between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and cold drafts and sudden temperature changes should be avoided. Fertilizing is recommended in the spring and summer months every 1 to 2 months. Hold the fertilizer and decrease watering the plant during the winter months. This plant is winter hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12. Outdoor plants will need to overwinter indoors in hardiness zones less than 10. In the spring, propagate by division of offsets. Repotting is recommended every 2 to 3 years.
'Calidora' would be an interesting tropical accent to your home or garden. Exercise caution when small children or pets are nearby.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. Overwatering may cause root rot and leaf spots.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
![Alocasia x 'Calidora'](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/49596571463_3e30d8f7_rbX7qkVPGOnf.jpg)
![Large, heart-shaped green leaf. Green spathes are visible.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Alocasia_calidora_Be_iDYT1LVt75XM.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/49596571463_3e30d8f7_fitzpbzqPt1t.jpg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Alocasia_calidora_Be_3gedyygl058j.jpeg)
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Alocasia
- Family:
- Araceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit-resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Description:
- Flowers in this genus consist of a spadix and spathe. Houseplants rarely flower.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Huge glossy, upright, green arrow-shaped and ribbed leaves up to 6 feet long and 3 feet wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Poisonous by ingestion, dermatitis, and eye injury. Symptoms may include painful irritation of lips, mouth, tongue, and throat after chewing; difficulty of speaking; nausea and diarrhea, vomiting, delirium, and death. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones, and hyperacidity should be especially cautious.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Calcium oxalate crystals
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems