Alocasia Seed Pods: Harvesting and Growing Elephant Ear from Seed

Do Alocasia Produce Seeds?

Yes, but rarely. Older, well-grown plants may produce a spathe and spadix that develop into seed pods after pollination. Pods hang for months while orange seeds mature. Seeds are only viable for a short time—harvest and sow immediately.

Planting Elephant Ear Seeds

1. Remove dried pods; crack open to reveal seeds.
2. Rinse seeds.
3. Sow on surface of humic-rich medium with generous peat.
4. Lightly dust with medium; mist and keep damp (not soggy).
5. Germination is erratic; seedlings may appear up to 90 days later.
6. Move seedlings to bright, indirect light.

Better Propagation: Offsets

Alocasia rarely flowers, and seed germination is unreliable. Vegetative propagation via side shoots (offsets) at the base of the plant is far more reliable. Cut off side growth, pot up, and grow for a year before transplanting to the garden or larger containers.

Overwintering

Alocasia is not winter-hardy. In freezing climates, lift in-ground plants, clean off soil, and store bulbs in a box or paper bag until spring.