what the heck is this plant??

lisasha3

lisasha3

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Does anyone know what this is? I like the plant, but it doesn't have identification on it and I don't want a harmful plant in my home if it's on the toxic list.
I'm going to put it in the Verdant forums too, but figured I'd ask you guys as well.




and yes - those pictures were taken IN MY HOUSE - I already bought it
. Don't worry though, it's way up on the fridge where no one can reach it until I find out what it is and I will return it if I have too.
 
arlyn

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Alocasia species, not sure which one, commonly called Elephant Ear

They are mildly toxic.
 
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goldenkitty45

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I'm not a plant specialist


Where did you get the plant from? Can you call the store and ask? Or take a leaf and go to a greenery and ask them?

We don't keep live plants in the house - I don't want to worry about the cats or the dog nibbling on them or knocking them over and making a mess.
 
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strange_wings

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I agree, it does look like a type of philodendron. Unforunately there's a lot of different philodendrons
I know they're toxic to reptiles but dunno how toxic they are to cats.

Looks too rigid to be an elephant ear, but those are toxic too.
 
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Looks like Alocasia 'Polly'. They are very common in the trade. The undersides of the leaves are purple. It's not sanderiana which has shorter, stouter leaves and more intense colration on the topside.
 
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lisasha3

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

I'm not a plant specialist


Where did you get the plant from? Can you call the store and ask? Or take a leaf and go to a greenery and ask them?
Click to expand...
I got it of all places - at Home Depot. Normally they are reallly good when it comes to identification, but that's when they are at their height of the season and have ton's of people in the garden section. Garden section is closed now and these were inside with a few others. I'm not sure I'm going to find someone who works in the Gardent department in January - so I didn't even bother to ask.


Originally Posted by Arlyn

Alocasia species, not sure which one, commonly called Elephant Ear

They are mildly toxic.
Click to expand...
Originally Posted by luxum

Looks like Alocasia 'Polly'. They are very common in the trade. The undersides of the leaves are purple. It's not sanderiana which has shorter, stouter leaves and more intense colration on the topside.
Click to expand...
I thought that it was a type of elephant ear, but wasn't sure. you are right - the undersides of the leaves are purple. Thanks!! I'm going to look it up on the link that Arlyn gave me!
 
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There is probably no data on the specific hybrid 'Polly', but Alocasias are on the list as "toxic" to cats, i'm not sure how bad. My cats are not interested in this particular Alocasia at all because the leaves are so leathery.

Oh, and elephant ears are colocasia, very closely related, and until fairly recently alocasia and colocasia were included in a single genus.

The alocasias prefer the soil drier than colocasias do. 'Polly' sometimes goes dormant in the winter if it gets too chilly, but will resprout in the spring when it warms up with a little rain. Keep them bone dry if dormant so they don't rot.
 
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lisasha3

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Originally Posted by luxum

There is probably no data on the specific hybrid 'Polly', but Alocasias are on the list as "toxic" to cats, i'm not sure how bad. My cats are not interested in this particular Alocasia at all because the leaves are so leathery.

Oh, and elephant ears are colocasia, very closely related, and until fairly recently alocasia and colocasia were included in a single genus.

The alocasias prefer the soil drier than colocasias do. 'Polly' sometimes goes dormant in the winter if it gets too chilly, but will resprout in the spring when it warms up with a little rain. Keep them bone dry if dormant so they don't rot.
Click to expand...
Just so you know - I'm putting you on "speed dial" along with Gail and Cindy come gardening season.
I'm just getting into it since I've only had my house for 2 years and even though I've learned a lot - I know I'm gonna have questions. Are you a member on the Verdant forums too? I need to start frequenting that a lot more for all my questions as well.
 
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lisasha3

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Arrrgghhh...found it. It is toxic to cats.

Guess I either need to bring it back or it becomes a permanent fixture on my refrigerator.
 
mooficat

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well I hope you find out what it is.........and if you get it to grow OK, please let me know. I´ve had one and well, sorry to report it lasted for about 6 weeks
 
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lisasha3

lisasha3

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Originally Posted by mooficat

well I hope you find out what it is.........and if you get it to grow OK, please let me know. I´ve had one and well, sorry to report it lasted for about 6 weeks
Click to expand...
Great!


Originally Posted by CommonOddity042

Where do you live? I have one planted outsdie and it's doing fine.
Click to expand...
Originally Posted by snosrap5

What about moving it outside?
Click to expand...
Ummm...outside???? Can't do it - I live in Massachusetts.....it's a little
here right now. Plant wouldn't stand a chance.
 
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I've had one for several years. It goes dormant in the late fall because i stop watering it (for some reason i always get lazy with the watering at that time of year), but it always resprouts in the spring. They like to dry out between waterings and will not tolerate soil that is heavy or stays constantly moist.
Just so you know - I'm putting you on "speed dial" along with Gail and Cindy come gardening season. I'm just getting into it since I've only had my house for 2 years and even though I've learned a lot - I know I'm gonna have questions. Are you a member on the Verdant forums too? I need to start frequenting that a lot more for all my questions as well.
Click to expand...
Haha! Well, my "garden" is just a little apartment balcony, and i have a lot of houseplants in the living room where the light is good. I've never actually gardened in soil, only containers.

I went through an orchid phase but i have stopped aquiring them since they are a little too fussy about cool temps in the winter and i'm tired of lugging the orchid rack inside every time the night temps are going to dip below 50º. My new love is bromeliads! Hardy (uh, in Tampa hehe), colorful, prolific, and almost no work at all. I've never heard of the Verdant forums, i'll look them up. I've been a member at Gardenweb for a long time but i hate the format of the forums and it seems they are always very slow.

My cats are trained to leave the plants alone so i never really worry about toxicity. And it's useful if you can find a page that lists specifically how toxic the plants are. Many are on toxicity lists but don't produce life threatening reactions. And this particular plant is unlikely to be attractive to cats since the leaves are thick and rubbery - cats prefer soft grassy leaves usually. But you know your own cats and can make a judgement about how likely they are to go for it.
 
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lisasha3

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Originally Posted by luxum

I've had one for several years. It goes dormant in the late fall because i stop watering it (for some reason i always get lazy with the watering at that time of year), but it always resprouts in the spring. They like to dry out between waterings and will not tolerate soil that is heavy or stays constantly moist.

Haha! Well, my "garden" is just a little apartment balcony, and i have a lot of houseplants in the living room where the light is good. I've never actually gardened in soil, only containers.

I went through an orchid phase but i have stopped aquiring them since they are a little too fussy about cool temps in the winter and i'm tired of lugging the orchid rack inside every time the night temps are going to dip below 50º. My new love is bromeliads! Hardy (uh, in Tampa hehe), colorful, prolific, and almost no work at all. I've never heard of the Verdant forums, i'll look them up. I've been a member at Gardenweb for a long time but i hate the format of the forums and it seems they are always very slow.

My cats are trained to leave the plants alone so i never really worry about toxicity. And it's useful if you can find a page that lists specifically how toxic the plants are. Many are on toxicity lists but don't produce life threatening reactions. And this particular plant is unlikely to be attractive to cats since the leaves are thick and rubbery - cats prefer soft grassy leaves usually. But you know your own cats and can make a judgement about how likely they are to go for it.
Click to expand...
Apartment balcony or not - if you can keep things green and alive - you're on my list.

As for the toxicity thing. I've actually had philodendrens for 12 years and none of my babies have ever touched any of them. They have no interest in them. The only thing they go for are my grasses (fountain grass, Pampas grass) which is on the "ok" list. So I don't think I'll have to worry about this plant. The leaves are too course and rubbery for them to even try. I put it on the floor and watched them all sniff at it then stick their noses up like it stunk so I should be ok.
Now keep your fingers crossed that it stays green for me!
 
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panther pride

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depends on the cat some do not touch plants. I grow houseplants and yes some are toxic ( ficus benjamia, peace lily) I just make sure Bindi cannot get the chances to eat them the best I can. Some plants on the toxic list maybe be a little off others truely are scary. Ficus, taste bad and may cause him to vomit but he'd have to eat alot of it to really hurt him. I'd be more worried about outside lilys( stargazer easter) and Jack in the pulpit. those are the REALLY dangerous ones, Some tribes of Native Americans actually used the cut up roots of the Jack In The Pulpit plant to hide in food to kill their rivals
 
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