Alocasia Stingray

Alocasia 'Stingray' (Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Stingray') is grown for one of the most recognisable leaves in cultivation: a broad wavy blade that tapers into a long curling tail, exactly like a stingray in mid glide. It builds to around 1.5m tall and 1.2m wide in warm conditions, which makes it a true feature plant rather than a shelf ornament. Every part of it is toxic if chewed, so place it with that in mind.

Why you'll love it

• A leaf shape nothing else has. The winged blade and trailing tail give it a sculptural quality that reads from across a room or a courtyard.
• Real presence. At up to 1.5m tall with leaves on tall upright stems, one plant fills an empty corner without needing a group.
• Built for heat and humidity. Steamy subtropical summers that flatten most feature plants are exactly its conditions.
• Fast in warm weather. New leaves push through every few weeks in the growing season, indoors or out, so progress is visible.

Where it works best

Feature planting. Use it as the focal plant in a tropical bed, backed by darker foliage so the leaf silhouette stands out. In tropical and subtropical gardens it can go straight into the ground.

Pots and containers. A pot 400mm or wider with rich, free draining mix suits it, and a container makes it easy to shift under cover before winter in warm temperate gardens.

Indoors, balconies and courtyards. Bright indirect light near a window or under a sheltered patio roof gives the best leaf size, and harsh direct sun scorches the blades.

Growing Alocasia Stingray in Australia

Position and climate. Partial shade or filtered light outdoors, bright indirect light indoors. It grows in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens and is frost tender, so anywhere with cold nights it needs to be potted and brought under cover for winter.

Soil. A rich organic mix that holds moisture but drains freely. Add compost and coarse perlite or bark to a standard premium potting mix. Waterlogged mix leads to root rot faster than dryness does.

Water and feed. Keep the mix evenly moist through the warm months and water less as temperatures drop. Humidity matters, so group plants or mist in dry air. Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser and stop over winter.

Pruning and dormancy. Simply remove older leaves at the base as they yellow. In cooler conditions it may slow right down or drop most of its leaves over winter. That is dormancy, not death: keep the mix barely moist and it will reshoot in spring.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in tube stock, so you are buying a young plant with two or three small leaves rather than a mature specimen. That is normal for alocasias and they size up quickly, moving into a 200mm pot within months and showing the mature leaf shape in the second year.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Some leaf damage or a dropped leaf after transit is normal and new growth follows within weeks in warm weather. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read our guide to growing and caring for elephant ear plants.
• Browse the full indoor plant range.
• Compare more tropical plants.
• See what else suits partial shade.

Common questions

Is it safe around pets and children?

No. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals and are toxic to cats, dogs and people if chewed, causing mouth and throat irritation. Keep it well out of reach and wash your hands after handling cut stems.

Why has it dropped its leaves in winter?

Cool temperatures push alocasias into dormancy. Reduce watering, leave the plant where it is, and new leaves appear once temperatures lift in spring.

Can I plant it in the garden?

In tropical and subtropical gardens, yes, in a sheltered shaded spot. In warm temperate areas it is safer in a pot that can be moved under cover, because frost will kill it.