The front of my house faces west & gets sun all day. Any suggestions for a large showy ele ear that can handle the sun/heat? I've always been attracted to Alocasia 'boa' due to its triangular shape.

Thanks in advance,
Jay
Tampa Bay

I think you'd be better off with a Colocasia since Alocasia in my experience is a bit more delicate. Black Runner, which is a Colocasia does really well in blazing hot sun, but it's not name Black RUNNER for nothing. It can get a bit out of hand if it's happy - Coffee Cups, Colocasia too also seems to do ok in full blazing hot sun as long as it's watered really well and not allowed to get on the dry side. Thai Giant, C. gigantea likes full blazing hot sun too as long as it has a LOT of water and the leaves get huge.

Xeramtheum thank you for the suggestions. I do like the black runner variety. I have coffee cups & I think Thai Giant may be too big for the two spots I have picked out.

Jay

Most of your Colocasias' and Alocasias' will do okay in full sun as long as they have an adequate supple of water and I do mean adequate. With a large leaf surface they transpire a lot of water quickly especially if it's windy. I would stay away from C. Gigantea and even Thai Giant. Their leaves are too prone to breaking in wind and if your facing west, prevailing winds will rip them up. (Experience here with Thai Giant ) In my estimate Alocasias would do better because of their thicker leave structure on the west side where it would get sun from late morning to sun down, but again water is the key. But that's my opinion

Calidora, Odora, Portora, Macrorrhiza and Mac. 'Borneo Giant' come to mind first off. I agree with Kurt on the water. You can fertilize at every watering with 20-25% strength water soluble ferts. Jay, after a few weeks in the Spring. You can have massive plants down there with your growing season.