Alocasias are similar to Colocasias but some species are not cold hardy in zone 8 (where I live in Mississippi). In fact, I the information I originally had said that all the Alocasias I have are NOT hardy here so I dug the plants and put them in pots to be brought inside for the winter. Now, I see on other websites that say some of mine are hardy here. GEEZ!!! Even though some are hardy in this zone, Alocasias CAN go dormant at temps below 45. Another problem is, all Elephant Ears like moist soil. And even though this is true, the soil should not necessarily be standing in water, especially in the winter, because the roots can rot.
If you grow Alocasias in the ground and transplant them into pots to bring them inside for the winter, you just have to experiment with them like I am. I cannot say I am having the best of luck. I have read that you can barely keep them alive all winter. I put them in the sun room, which doesn’t have heat right now, and I think all of them but Alocasia ‘Portora’ went dormant anyway because the temp did drop to below 30. I moved them to the library next to the window, because there is usually a heater on in that room. A. ‘Portora’ is just as happy as ever!
The only Alocasia variety I have that is NOT showing any signs of dormancy, shock, rotting, or death, is A. ‘Portora’. It showed no evidence that it was even put in a pot… the leaves remained green and the new leaf it was growing when I transplanted it is still growing like nothing changed!
I didn’t realize it, but all plants in the Araceae family are poisonous if ingested. They can cause skin irritation and an allergic reaction!
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