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Elephants Ear Plant

Alocasia brisbanensis
$207.95 $292.95

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Typically 20cm to 1.6m tall on arrival, depending on the size you choose. Size guide

Other sizes (available to order)

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Good to know: pot sizes, availability and delivery
  • Sizes are pot sizes, not plant heights. A 200mm pot is the width of the container. Typical plant heights per size are in the size guide.
  • Every order is availability checked. If anything cannot be supplied as listed, we contact you within 2 business days with the closest equivalent, the option to wait, or a refund. You choose.
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Delivery
  • Fast, reliable delivery Australia-wide
  • Orders are prepared at the nearest distribution centre to you
  • Flat-rate delivery from $29.95 for standard items
  • Larger plants and trees are delivered via nursery truck from $149.95

FAQs

Can I pick up my order?

No. We operate as an online-only nursery and do not offer customer pickups.

Can I delay delivery?

Yes. Add your preferred delivery timing in the order notes at checkout.

What if I’m not home for delivery?

Your order will be left in a safe location at the delivery address.

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Every order is covered by our 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee.

The native elephant's ear (Alocasia brisbanensis), known in the bush as cunjevoi, turns a dark damp corner into the best part of the garden. It builds a clump about 1.8m tall and 1.5m across, with broad glossy leaves on upright stems, and unlike most big leaved tropicals it is an Australian native from east coast rainforest. It wants shade and moisture, so it works exactly where other plants fail.

Why you'll love it

  • Real presence in shade. Leaves the size of a serving platter, in a position that gets no direct sun.
  • A native that looks tropical. The same effect as an imported alocasia, from a species that belongs in eastern Australian gardens.
  • It likes wet feet. A pond edge or a low spot that stays soggy after rain suits it, and those are hard positions to plant well.
  • Fast to fill, easy to keep. Growth is quick in the warm months, and cutting old leaves off as they yellow is essentially the maintenance.

Where it works best

Shaded feature planting. A single clump beside a path or a seat carries the space on its own. Allow 1.5m of clearance so the leaves are not brushed and torn.

Mass planting under trees. Plant 1m apart for a lush understorey, the quickest way to deal with the bare gap under an established canopy.

Poolside, ponds and pots. It handles splash, humidity and damp soil. In a pot use 40L or larger and keep the mix damp, because a pot dries far faster than a bed.

Growing native elephant's ear in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade to full shade. Direct afternoon sun scorches the leaves and a burnt leaf never recovers, so plant under a canopy or on the south side of a wall. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, and being frost tender it needs a pot that can move under cover in cool southern districts.

Soil and water. Rich soil with plenty of organic matter, mulched 75mm deep. It tolerates wet feet, which is unusual and worth using on heavy or damp ground. Keep the soil damp, because a clump that dries right out will droop and mark.

Feeding and tidying. A controlled release fertiliser in early spring and mid summer gives the biggest leaves. There is no pruning; cut old leaves off at the base as they yellow. After a cold snap the clump reshoots from the rhizome.

Toxicity. Every part contains calcium oxalate and is toxic to people, cats and dogs if chewed. Wear gloves when you cut it back, and do not plant it where a young child or a chewing dog has unsupervised access.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 140mm and 200mm multipacks, in 300mm and in 60L. The multipacks are the sensible way to buy for a mass planting. The 300mm gives a plant with a few full sized leaves already, and the 60L is an instant feature clump.

Plants are packed to travel upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Some leaf damage in transit is normal on foliage this large, and new growth usually appears within four to six weeks in warm weather. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

Common questions

Is it safe around pets and children?

No. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals and are toxic if chewed, causing burning and swelling in the mouth. Choose something else for a pet run or a play area.

How far apart should I plant it?

One metre apart for a mass planting. The leaves overlap into a continuous canopy at that spacing without the clumps fighting for root space.

Will it grow in full sun?

Not well. It is a rainforest floor plant and the leaves scorch in direct sun, particularly in the afternoon and in dry inland air. Full shade gives the cleanest foliage.

Western Australia: this species has escaped from gardens and naturalised in WA, where it competes with local bushland plants. We do not recommend it for gardens in the south west of WA. Please choose a local alternative.

Plant details

Mature height1.8m
Mature width1.5m
PositionPartial Shade
Water needsModerate, High
Growth rateModerate, Fast
FoliageEvergreen
FlowersCream, Green
Native toEastern Australia
ClimateTropical, Subtropical, Warm Temperate
ToleratesFrost Tender, Humidity Tolerant, Wet Feet Tolerant, Heat Tolerant
SpacingPlant 1m apart for a lush mass planting

Great for

Feature PlantingMass PlantingPots & ContainersPoolsideAustralian NativeFast GrowingLow Maintenance

Compare similar plants

Elephants Ear Plant against the rest of the elephant ears and alocasias range

Mature sizes are typical in Australian gardens; growth rate and position are from the plant details on each page.

PlantRatingMature heightMature widthGrowth ratePositionFrom
Elephants Ear Plant
Elephants Ear PlantThis plantAlocasia brisbanensis
 ★★★★★(26) 1.8m 1.5m Moderate, Fast Partial Shade $115.95
Giant Taro
Giant TaroAlocasia macrorrhizos
 ★★★★★(12) 2.5m 2m Fast Full Sun, Partial Shade $173.95
Zebra Plant
Zebra PlantAlocasia zebrina
 ★★★★★(4) 1m 0.8m Moderate Partial Shade $19.95
Colocasia ‘Pharaoh’s Mask’
Colocasia ‘Pharaoh’s Mask’Colocasia ‘Pharaoh’s Mask’
 ★★★★★(5) 1.2m 1m Fast Partial Shade $53.95
Chinese Taro
Chinese TaroAlocasia cucullata
 ★★★★★(8) 1.2m 0.8m Moderate Partial Shade $165.95
Alocasia amazonica 'dwarf'
Alocasia amazonica 'dwarf'Alocasia amazonica dwarf
 ★★★★★(4) 0.4m 0.4m Moderate Partial Shade $19.95

See the whole elephant ears and alocasias range

Common questions about Elephants Ear Plant

  • How tall does Elephants Ear Plant grow?

    Elephants Ear Plant reaches about 1.8m tall at maturity and about 1.5m wide.

  • Does Elephants Ear Plant need full sun or shade?

    it grows best in partial shade.

  • How much water does Elephants Ear Plant need?

    water needs are moderate, high.

  • How fast does Elephants Ear Plant grow?

    it has a moderate, fast growth rate.

  • Which Australian climates suit Elephants Ear Plant?

    it suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate climates and tolerates frost tender, humidity tolerant, wet feet tolerant, heat tolerant. Check the planting calendar for the best month in your region. Planting calendar

  • How far apart should I plant Elephants Ear Plant?

    Plant Plant 1m apart for a lush mass planting. The hedge calculator works out the number of plants for your length. Hedge calculator

  • Is Elephants Ear Plant safe around pets?

    Yes, Elephants Ear Plant is listed as pet friendly.

  • What size will my Elephants Ear Plant arrive at?

    Typically 20cm to 1.6m tall on arrival, depending on the size you choose. The size picker on this page shows the typical height under each size group. Heights vary with the season and the batch. Size guide

  • How is Elephants Ear Plant delivered?

    Packed upright and delivered Australia wide. Freight is quoted at checkout with multiple freight companies and passed on at cost, and the grower confirms your plants before anything is booked. Most plant orders arrive within 3 to 7 business days of dispatch.

  • Is Elephants Ear Plant covered by a guarantee?

    Yes. Every plant is covered by the 30 day healthy plant guarantee: if it arrives in poor shape, send a photo within 30 days and we sort it out with a replacement or a refund. Read the guarantee

Loved by Australian Gardeners

★★★★★ Rated by verified customers across Australia

Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 4.9 / 5 from 26 reviews.

Customer photo review of Elephants Ear Plant - Alocasia brisbanensis

Plant came infected with spidermites. Fortunately i caught them early and apear to have killed them off for now.... if they persist I may request a refund in the future.

Alex I. 3/5 Verified

Elephants Ear Plant - Alocasia brisbanensis

Great addition to the garden. Arrived in top condition and it arrived without any breakage, and looks even better in person. Really happy.

Michelle C. 5/5

Elephants Ear Plant - Alocasia brisbanensis

Really impressed with the service. Arrived looking better than expected and the pot was protected well, and is exactly what I wanted. Keen to order more.

Amanda B. 5/5

Elephants Ear Plant - Alocasia brisbanensis

After you order

What happens next

  1. 1Order confirmedYour confirmation email arrives straight away.
  2. 2Grower confirms stockWe check your plants are ready at the nursery before anything is booked.
  3. 3Freight bookedYou get the carrier and the delivery window by email.
  4. 4Delivered to your doorPacked upright and delivered Australia wide.

30 day healthy plant guarantee on every plant, every size.

BeforeThe same garden at two to three years, designed from the customer photo
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BeforeAt 2 to 3 years

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The Elephants Ear Plant - Alocasia brisbanensis features large green leaves and flourishes in tropical gardens, complementing vibrant foliage and colourful flowers.

Elephants Ear Plant - Alocasia brisbanensis

From $115.95 $255.95

Mature height

1m to 2m

Mature width

1m to 2m

Position

Partial Shade

Water needs

Moderate, High

Growth rate

Moderate, Fast

Foliage

Evergreen

Flower colour

Cream, Green

Climate

Tropical, Subtropical, Warm Temperate

Tolerates

Frost Tender, Humidity Tolerant, Wet Feet Tolerant, Heat Tolerant

Great for

Feature Planting, Mass Planting, Pots & Containers, Poolside

Spacing

Plant 1m apart for a lush mass planting

Pet friendly

Yes
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