Alocasia Regal Shield hardiness?

[Tomas]

I could acquire this beauty, but have no idea how hardy (or tender) it is. Anybody can help? My zone is 9b, I can also grow many 10a plants. A. wentii and A. brisbanensis are long term survivors for me

Tomas

[Keys6505]

Regal Shields is probably good well into zone 8.  They multiply pretty rapidly, so even if by some chance you lost the main plant there is almost sure to be bubils popping up in the spring.  I have no issues in zone 9a.  Mine have experienced as low as 15 degress.

[Dartolution]

9b, you shouldn't have too much of a problem. 

I grow them here in the deep south US zone 8a and they return. They are not as vigorous as odora - which can be a good thing haha. 

I just pile a bag of mulch over the clump once a freeze takes the leaves and uncover usually early march. 

Mine are planted in mostly bright shade on the North side of my 2 story. They've gone down to a wet 15F and still grew as large or larger than the year prior!

Love them. 

[Merlyn]

@Dartolution do yours get any water in the winter?  I read that one of the two species needs to be mostly dry in the winter, but I can't remember if it is Colocasia or Alocasia.  I am thinking about getting a few new ones for my "tropical bed" up front that gets drenched with sprayers on a stick every morning.

[Dartolution]

@Merlyn The spot they are in stays consistently moist all year. They are an alocasia cross (odora X reginula). I have both colocasia and alocasia here... and cant see much of a difference with wet or dry. I think in colder climates dry is preferred and well mulched. Here and down there where the soil doesn't freeze I cant see it being a problem.