Keeping Your Alocasia Dragon Scale Thriving Indoors

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Alocasia Dragon Scale is known for its stunning appearance and moderately easy to care for nature. It’s a different plant that is well-loved among plant collectors.

We’re helping you care for your Alocasia Dragon Scale in this detailed care guide. We’re also hashing out the origin, common problems, and other interesting facts about this plant!

What Is Alocasia Dragon Scale?

The Alocasia Dragon Scale is sometimes called Alocasia Green Dragon and Green Dragon. It’s a unique-looking plant cultivated from Alocasia Baginda. It is officially called Alocasia Baginda Dragon Scale.

It has metallic jade green leaves that are thick and leathery textured, a glossy surface, a cream-colored underside, and maroon veins. If you’re imaginative, you’ll quickly see this plant’s tough and pliable leaves resemble dragon scales.

As a perennial in the Araceae family, this stunning plant thrives well as a houseplant when grown near an east or west-facing window.

Outdoors, the Alocasia Dragon Scale has a high survivability rate in hardiness zones 9-11.

Alocasia Dragon Scale Origin And Family

The Alocasia Green Dragon is a member of the Araceae family. This variety of Alocasia comes from the tropical forests of Borneo and is native to Southeast Asia. As an indoor plant, it has done well in most households when it has a lot of access to humidity.

Where To Buy

There are several ways to find an Alocasia Dragon Scale for sale. You could buy a cutting or seedling at the nursery and order fully grown plants online. One option is to purchase on Etsy.

For pretty affordable prices, you can buy an Alocasia Dragon Scale for about $15 for small plants and up to $30 for four or 6-inch potted plants.

Alocasia Dragon Scale Plant Size

Indoors, the Alocasia Dragon Scale reaches a height of 2-3 feet and a width of 1-2 feet. This Alocasia grows quickly and beautifully thrives near an east or west-facing window.

This gorgeous plant is appealing at any size and looks great with other plants. It prefers tight spaces and is a great candidate for a terrarium. It grows relatively compact, which makes it perfect for small spaces.

Alocasia Dragon Scale Care Needs

With appropriate care, most plants, including Alocasia Dragon Scale, are simple to cultivate at home.

It favors humidity and relatively dry soil and is well-known for its uniquely textured leaves.

You should only be watering this Dragon Scale when the top 1-2 inches of the soil is dry.

Like other plants, you’ll require good drainage holes in a plastic, terracotta, or clay pot.

Alocasia Dragon Scale Care Difficulty

The Alocasia Dragon Scale is moderately easy to care for in most situations, assuming you have the right amount of light and well-draining soil. You can quickly grow this stunning plant with this Alocasia Green Dragon guide.

Alocasia Dragon Scale Growth Rate

The Dragon Scale Alocasia reaches a height of 2-3 feet when grown inside a home. This plant will usually grow more actively during spring and summer.

Most Alocasia species, including the Dragon Scale, are known to grow quickly.

Alocasia Dragon Scale Potting

Alocasia plants, in general, prefer a well-draining pot. A large-sized plastic, terracotta, or clay pot is recommended for your jewel Alocasia.

One of the predominant killers of houseplants is insufficient drainage, which causes root rot. Please ensure that your pot has holes at the bottom to enable excess water to drain through.

Alocasia Dragon Scale Repotting

Moving your Alocasia Dragon Scale into a bigger pot allows more space for its roots to expand. You will typically know that it’s time to repot if you see roots pushing out of the drainage holes.

Typically, the best time to repot this stunning plant is every 2-3 years. It is ideal for replacing old nutrient-deficient soil with a fresh batch of standard commercial potting soil when filling the new pot. However, it is best to take extra care, as you repot; this plant is a bit sensitive and hates being disturbed.

Such a unique variegated Alocasia Dragon Scale 🌿 pic.twitter.com/CizCMGUpA8

— Houseplant Hobbyist (@HobbyistPlant) September 22, 2022

Alocasia Dragon Scale Soil

When it comes to growing medium for Alocasia Dragon Scale, a standard commercial potting soil is your best bet. Perlite, orchid mix, and coco coir are ideal for potting mix. Aeration and drainage are a must for this plant which is moderately easy to care for.

Here are some excellent growing medium options to choose from:

Alocasia Dragon Scale pH

Your Dragon Scale Alocasia likes neutral to acidic soil, meaning you should keep the pH level at 6.5-7.5. If you’re concerned about acidity, you can buy a simple pH testing tool to examine your soil.

Regulate excessive pH levels on your soil with sulfur or aluminum sulfate. Improve low pH levels by adding baking soda, calcitic or dolomitic lime, or wood ash.

Alocasia Dragon Scale Water

Proper watering is essential for Alocasia Green Dragon. If you water too much, you risk causing diseases such as root rot. If you water too little, your plant’s roots may dry out, especially during warm days. In general, Alocasia Green Dragon should have a growing medium that is relatively dry.

There is a simple way to determine if your plant needs to be watered. You can stick a wooden skewer or a pencil into the pot and see if wet, muddy soil is still sticking to it. Or, you can use your finger to feel for moisture. When the top 1-2 inches of the soil is dry, it’s time to water your plant.

A porous pot with drainage holes and an aerated, chunky soil mix can help eliminate excess moisture.

Alocasia Dragon Scale Light

This houseplant prefers bright indirect light. Too much light and its leaves will scorch. Too little light and its gorgeous leaves will droop.

If you’re worried that your Alocasia Dragon Scale isn’t getting enough light, you may need to move it closer to a window or consider using artificial lights. Here are some basic options for you to consider:

Avoid putting your Alocasia Dragon Scale in direct sunlight since doing so could seriously harm or possibly kill it.

Alocasia Dragon Scale Fertilizer

A water-soluble fertilizer is ideal for the Green Dragon. NAME SPECIFIC FERTILIZER, for example, would work. Feed your plant once or twice a month during the spring and summer.

In the winter months, growth naturally slows down, so you don’t need to fertilize.

Propagating Alocasia Dragon Scale

Reproducing your Alocasia Dragon Scale can be done with the proper propagation method. Below are some options to choose from, along with detailed instructions to help you out.

Division

For the Alocasia Dragon Scale propagation method, known as division, you separate the stunning plant at the roots – making two Green Dragon plants.

You can divide the stem clusters of your Dragon Scale Alocasia by following these steps:

1. Dig it up. Take the plant from its container. The natural divisions are pretty straightforward.

2. Pull apart. With your fingers, gently separate the Alocasia Dragon Scale at the root. You may need to use pruners or shears to cut any tangled roots.

3. Repot. Plant each section of the Alocasia Green Dragon in fresh pots filled with the same soil they’ve used before.

New Dragon Scale leaf. Why haven’t I owned one sooner?!? #HousePlants #alocasia #beauty pic.twitter.com/pJbtyZyKIj

— Mitch 🅁🅅🄽 𓄿 (@kritch83) September 10, 2022

Humidity And Aeration for Alocasia Dragon Scale

This Alocasia is a rare plant that prefers high humidity between 60%-80%.

You may consider getting a humidifier if your Alocasia Dragon Scale has curling or crispy leaves with brown edges. This device is designed to constantly release steam and significantly raise the humidity in a room. You can also get a pebble tray with water to help raise the humidity.

Alocasia Dragon Scale Temperature

Your Dragon Scale Alocasia will prosper in a warm area, so maintain a temperature between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Below these optimum conditions, your plant may be forced into its dormant period.

Like most Alocasia plants, this stunning houseplant will appreciate consistent temperatures throughout the year. Avoid using hot or cold water when watering your plant. Keep it distant from heat sources (such as furnaces and vents) and cold drafts (such as open windows during the winter).

Flowers

Most plants will typically bloom only when exposed to the natural elements. Nonetheless, your Alocasia Green Dragon can still produce insignificant purple spathes during its growing season (spring and summer months).

Toxic

Keep an eye out if you have small children or animals. The Green Dragon contains calcium oxalate crystals which are dangerous to pets, such as cats, dogs, and people. If ingested, the following symptoms can be expected: oral irritation, swelling of the tongue and throat, vomiting, or diarrhea. It can also cause skin irritation. In most cases, this plant is considered non-life-threatening.

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems for Alocasia Dragon Scale

The Alocasia Dragon Scale is a disease and pest-resistant plant. Here are some common diseases, problems, and pests, along with how to treat them.

Spider Mites

Unfortunately, spider mites are a widespread problem, particularly for plant collectors with a Dragon Scale Alocasia. You will know your plant has spider mites if there are brown or yellow patches on its leaves, silky webbing in between branches, and leaves that take a long time to unfurl.

To fight a spider mite infestation, bring your infected plant to the sink, the tub, or outdoors and thoroughly wash all the beautiful leaves with a strong spray. Repeated application of neem oil, horticultural oil, and insecticidal soap can also help eliminate spider mites.

Ladybugs, lacewings, and minute pirate bugs can help control your spider mite population if you want a non-chemical approach.

Fungus Gnats

This beautiful plant is prone to fungal diseases. The larvae of fungus gnats consume plants’ roots, not the fungus gnats themselves. These pests love moisture, and your Alocasia Green Dragon is particularly vulnerable because it prefers relatively dry soil.

Fungus gnats are well-named for their ability to bring fungal diseases to your plant in addition to sucking the nutrients from the roots. Using yellow sticky traps will help you detect these bugs and catch them as they fly.

Another option is to use a cider-vinegar trap to entice gnats. Pour equal volumes of water and apple cider vinegar into a cup. As an emulsifier, mix in a few drops of liquid soap. Watch these bothersome insects drown by setting the trap next to the affected plant.

Scale Insects

Adult scales are sedentary and covered in a waxy coating, but they will give birth to tiny crawling bugs.

Armored scales can be scraped off, but you must do it gently using an old ID card or with your fingers. Take care not to rip the leaves of your Alocasia Dragon Scale.

Use insecticidal soap, horticultural, or neem oil to suffocate scale insects. When you see active crawlers, spray your plant with a general pesticide. Follow it up with a second application after a week. We recommend some products below:

Aphids

Aphids are typically found as a cluster of bugs on your Green Dragon. They could be colored green, black, red, yellow, brown, orange, or white. They reproduce extremely fast and can weaken your plant within a matter of days!

Aphids are specifically attracted to new shoots, flower buds, and new growth areas. As they consume the sap, they will leave behind ugly black and white splotches.

If you see any of these disgusting creepy crawlies, separate your infested plant from the others right away. To get rid of the aphids, give your plant a good watering, but don’t forget to protect the soil with plastic to catch any flying falling insects or their eggs. Discard the plastic at a spot far from your garden for disposal.

An insecticidal soap spray, neem oil, or horticultural oil can solve the problem. Still, this step should be repeated several times until the aphid population has been completely eradicated.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs may infest your Dragon Scale Alocasia. If you spot these little parasites with their white fluff, act promptly. Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol to kill mealies on contact, turning them brown or orange. A spray of diluted Neem oil also works well as a preventive measure.

Brown Leaf Tips

You might need to examine several factors if you notice browning tips on your beautiful Alocasia Green Dragon leaves.

Make sure your home has a suitable level of humidity. Use curtains to filter the sunlight if it’s shining too harshly on your plant. Don’t fertilize too much. For several minutes, allow the water to pass through the soil to eliminate excess salts and minerals.

she's so pretty it hurts 💔 mon alocasia dragon scale pic.twitter.com/rQ8oaC4mN8

— עזרא❤️‍🔥 bébé de lou (@pnlfaggot) December 9, 2022

Yellow Leaves

Yellowing leaves on Green Dragon can be caused by lack of light, too much light, overwatering, underwatering, nutrient deficiency, overfertilization, recent disruption of the roots, changes in temperature and humidity, presence of pests, and many others.

If you’re confused, don’t worry! Gardening requires trial and error to figure out the ideal conditions for your plants, and even master gardeners learn new things every day.

It is usually encouraged to prune off yellowing leaves so the plant won’t waste its energy trying to “save” the leaf instead of supplying nutrients to new leaves.

Root Rot

Root rot is a significant threat to your Alocasia Baginda plant. Indoor gardeners tend to overwater their plants or need to remember to provide proper drainage. Rotting roots will appear black and mushy, leading to a plant’s decline and eventual death. Remember, it is better to avoid something rather than deal with it.

The easiest way to prevent root rot is to regulate water intake. Prolong the gap between watering schedules, especially when your plant doesn’t receive enough sunlight and wind to dry the soil. Also, don’t forget to drill holes in the bottom of your pot to allow the water to drain!

Soil aeration is just as crucial in preventing root rot. If your soil tends to become compact and water-logged, add chunky and airy materials such as perlite, pumice, orchid bark, horticultural coal, coco chunks, river sand, and many others.

Similar Plants to Alocasia Dragon Scale

Love Alocasia Green Dragon? Here’s another exceptionally decorative plant you should try:

Alocasia Polly – With its distinctively curved leaves and interesting cream-colored lines, the Alocasia Polly plant—a little houseplant from the Elephant Ear family—has gained popularity among plant enthusiasts. It’s also referred to as the African mask plant, but it’s not a houseplant for beginners, as it can be a diva with its care requirements.

What to learn more about Alocasia? Here’s our guide.

Conclusion

With its uniquely textured leaves, Alocasia Dragon Scale is a fascinating ornamental plant that looks stunning indoors. Following our care instructions, you’ll have no trouble growing this plant!

Have you got an Alocasia Green Dragon? We want to see it! Please submit photos to [email protected] so we can share them on our blog.

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