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Alocasia 'Dragon Scale'

4.8 out of 5 (8 experiences)

Large, lush leaves

Fast grower

About Alocasia 'Dragon Scale'

Alocasias, commonly known as Elephant Ears, are some of the most common houseplants although their leaves can reach enormous sizes when grown outdoors! 🐘 They typically only support a few leaves at a time (more, when they get more sun!) so don't be concerned if you see an old leaf begin to retire after a new one emerges. They grow out of underground corms which are similar to bulbs, so next time you repot keep an eye out for baby Alocasias! They contain calcium oxalate crystals so be sure to keep them out of reach if you have children or pets! ⚠️

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Alocasia baginda 'Dragon Scale'

Genus

Alocasia

Family

Araceae

Order

Alismatales

How to care for Alocasia 'Dragon Scale'

💦 Water

How often to water your Alocasia 'Dragon Scale'

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' in your home

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Alocasia 'Dragon Scale'

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Alocasia 'Dragon Scale': repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Alocasia

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' can be challenging to care for, according to some plant parents. Check out the reviews down below to learn from their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' →

Common Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' Light Requirements →

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

💨 Humidity

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' →

💩 Fertilizer

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' is native to tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

How and When to Prune Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' Temperature Tolerance →

🌱 Propagation

Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' can be propagated by division into new individual plants.

Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
Repot the parent plant back into its original pot

How to Propagate Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.