'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. 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. More information on Alocasia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheAlocasia sarawakensis 'Yucatan Princess'Alocasia x mortfontanensisDieffenbachia seguine
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
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Vase
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Huge glossy, upright, green arrow-shaped and ribbed leaves up to 6 feet long and 3 feet wide.
Flower form
Spadix
Flower detail
Flowers in this genus consist of a spadix and spathe. Houseplants rarely flower.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Play value
Colorful
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Design feature
Accent
Garden tags
#showy leaves #large leaves #HS302 #heat tolerant #houseplant #humidity tolerant #problem for cats #problem for dogs #problem for horses #tropical feel #poisonous #spadix #partial shade tolerant #container plant #shade garden #deer resistant #problem for children #poisonous if ingested #tropical #herbaceous perennial #interesting leaves
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
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.