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Alocasia: toxicity, first aid and care
Alocasia (Alocasia spp.): toxic for cats, toxic for dogs, toxic for small children. The toxic principle, the signs, what to do, and how to grow it.
Cats: ToxicDogs: ToxicChildren: Toxic
Also sold as: Elephant ear, African mask plant, Kris plant.
This is a reference table, not a diagnosis and not veterinary or medical advice. It cannot tell you how much of a plant matters for a particular child or a particular animal — that depends on body weight, on the part eaten and on how long ago. If a person or an animal has eaten part of a plant, phone the poison information centre or a clinician; do not wait for symptoms, and do not make anyone vomit unless you are told to.
What is in it
Toxic principle: Insoluble calcium oxalate raphides — Calcium oxalate needles.
One of the more heavily armed aroids: alocasias carry a dense load of oxalate raphides in leaf, stem and tuber, and the reaction on chewing is nearer to dumb cane than to pothos. Sap on skin causes itching and stinging in many people.
What it looks like when it goes wrong
Intense immediate oral pain, heavy drooling, mouth-pawing, refusal to eat, sometimes vomiting and swelling of the lips and tongue.
What to do
Rinse the mouth thoroughly with cool water, offer something cold and milky, and phone a veterinary clinic or poison centre. Get emergency help for any difficulty breathing or swallowing. Wear gloves when dividing the tubers.
| Country | Poison information centre | Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estonia | Mürgistusteabekeskus (Health Board) | 16662 | Round the clock; 112 for an emergency |
| Finland | Myrkytystietokeskus (HUS) | 0800 147 111 | Free, round the clock |
| Latvia | Saindēšanās un zāļu informācijas centrs | 67042473 | Round the clock |
| Sweden | Giftinformationscentralen | 010-456 67 00 | Non-urgent advice; 112 in an emergency |
| Norway | Giftinformasjonen | 22 59 13 00 | Round the clock |
| Denmark | Giftlinjen (Bispebjerg Hospital) | 82 12 12 12 | Round the clock |
Anywhere in the European Union, 112 reaches emergency services and can put you through. Lithuania's poison information bureau (Apsinuodijimų kontrolės ir informacijos biuras) publishes its own round-the-clock line; if you do not have it to hand, use 112. For an animal, your own veterinary clinic or its out-of-hours service is the first call — human poison centres do not advise on animals in every country.
How to grow it
| Condition | What it wants |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright indirect light, no direct midday sun |
| Water | Evenly moist in growth; much drier in winter |
| Temperature | 18-27 °C with high humidity; below 15 °C it goes dormant |
The hardest plant on this list to keep alive in a Nordic flat, and the reason is winter: short days and dry heated air push it into dormancy, it drops every leaf, and the owner throws away a tuber that was merely asleep. If that happens, reduce watering to almost nothing, keep it warm, and wait for spring. Spider mites are the standing pest in dry indoor air.
What it gets confused with
Alocasia and Colocasia (taro) are constantly confused. As a rough guide alocasia leaves point up and out, colocasia leaves droop and point down. Taro is a staple food crop after thorough cooking — which destroys the same crystals — and neither plant is safe raw.
A plant that is not on the toxic lists
If you are deciding what to keep in a home with a cat, a dog or a small child, this one fills a similar role and is not flagged by the veterinary services.
Others that work the same way
Calcium oxalate needles — these behave alike, and what you would do about them is alike too.
Anthurium
Insoluble calcium oxalate raphides
Dumb cane
Insoluble calcium oxalate raphides plus proteolytic enzymes
Monstera
Insoluble calcium oxalate raphides
Peace lily
Insoluble calcium oxalate raphides
Philodendron
Insoluble calcium oxalate raphides
Pothos
Insoluble calcium oxalate raphides
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — toxic and non-toxic plants · checked 2026-09-06
Care guidance is standard horticultural practice for a cool-temperate northern climate. Poison-centre numbers are listed on the hub page and are worth confirming against your own country's health service.
Frequently asked questions
Is alocasia toxic to cats?
The veterinary lists rate it "toxic" for cats and "toxic" for dogs. The toxic principle is insoluble calcium oxalate raphides. One of the more heavily armed aroids: alocasias carry a dense load of oxalate raphides in leaf, stem and tuber, and the reaction on chewing is nearer to dumb cane than to pothos. Sap on skin causes itching and stinging in many people.
What should I do if my dog eats alocasia?
Rinse the mouth thoroughly with cool water, offer something cold and milky, and phone a veterinary clinic or poison centre. Get emergency help for any difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Is alocasia dangerous for a small child?
The verdict for a child who chews or swallows part of it is "toxic". Intense immediate oral pain, heavy drooling, mouth-pawing, refusal to eat, sometimes vomiting and swelling of the lips and tongue.
How do you care for alocasia?
Light: Bright indirect light, no direct midday sun. Water: Evenly moist in growth; much drier in winter. Temperature: 18-27 °C with high humidity; below 15 °C it goes dormant. The hardest plant on this list to keep alive in a Nordic flat, and the reason is winter: short days and dry heated air push it into dormancy, it drops every leaf, and the owner throws away a tuber that was merely asleep.
What is alocasia confused with?
Alocasia and Colocasia (taro) are constantly confused. As a rough guide alocasia leaves point up and out, colocasia leaves droop and point down.
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