’Regal Shields’ is a new hybrid elephant ear that gets its dramatic coloring from its father, 'Black Velvet', and its upright growing habit and improved cold resistance from its mother, Alocasia odora. The leaves are a deep glossy green suffused with purple on top, and deep dark purple on the underside, both strongly marked with light green veins.

Alocasias are jungle understory plants that originated in Asia and are now grown in tropical gardens worldwide. As understory plants, they’re happiest in part shade, though Regal Shields is more adaptable than most. Whether in garden soil or in a container, they want consistently moist soil, and good drainage. In all but tropical climates, they’ll need to overwinter indoors in bright indirect light.