Alocasia 'Silver Dragon', the silver-scaled Alocasia

Having a dragon is good enough. But having a silver dragon is even better. If you want to show off to your plant-addicts and geeky friends, add an Alocasia 'Silver Dragon' to your collection. This plant from the Araceae family is a cultivar of alocasia baginda. It is distinguished by its silvery, textured foliage.

How to recognize Alocasia 'Silver Dragon'?

Alocasia 'Silver Dragon' is a tuberous perennial with a bushy habit. In pots or indoors, it can reach 50 cm in height.

Alocasia 'Silver Dragon' is particularly prized for its foliage. Its heart-shaped or oval leaves are leathery. The upper surface is gray or silver. The veins are so dark green that they appear black. On the underside, the cream-colored blades are veined with brown.

Flowering is rare indoors. It may, however, take the form ofa light-green or creamspathe containing a white spadix.

If you live with young children or pets, keep your Alocasia 'Silver Dragon' out of their reach. The plant is entirely toxic. In particular, its sap contains calcium oxalate crystals, a harmful substance when ingested.

Our maintenance tips

Alocasia 'Silver Dragon are not plants to be placed in everyone's hands. They need light, rich soil, a little knowledge and a lot of attention.

Watering

Alocasia 'Silver Dragon likes freshness. Watering should keep its roots cool and dry. In summer, wait until the soil surface has dried to one centimetre before watering. In winter, let the substrate dry out between watering.

Pournon-calcareous water (rainwater, for example) at room temperature over the soil.

After each watering, empty the stagnant water into the saucer.

Spray

Spraying foliage with non-calcareous water (e.g. Mineral water or rainwater) helps to maintain humidity levels.

Repotting

Every spring, repot your Alocasia baginda 'Silver Dragon' to give it more space.

In a pierced pot, pour clay balls or small pebbles to optimize drainage. Then pour in a layer of ordinary potting soil enriched with a little perlite or river sand. Plant your Alocasia 'Silver Dragon, fill in with substrate and tamp.

Water to eliminate air bubbles and improve contact between roots and soil.

Fertilization

To promote the growth of your Alocasia baginda 'Silver Dragon', apply fertilizer in spring and summer.

To promote growth and the appearance of new leaves, give your Alocasia 'Silver Dragon green plant fertilizer.

Cleaning

When dust accumulates on the leaves, the plant slows down its photosynthesis process and its growth. To keep your Alocasia baginda 'Silver Dragon' healthy, clean its foliage with a damp, clean cloth.

Alocasia 'Silver Dragon are toxic plants. Wash your hands after touching your plant, or wear gloves when handling it.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Take advantage of the annual repotting to remove the shoots that form on the outside of the plant. If necessary, separate them with pruning shears or a clean, sharp knife.

Prepare buckets with potting soil similar to that used for adult plants. Translucent pots are best. You'll be able to monitor root growth.

Place the bulbils on the surface, flat side down and pointed side up. Water and then place your bulbils in a greenhouse or transparent crate.

Diseases / Threats

Red spiders

Mealybug, accompanied by ants for its honeydew.

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Araceae - Araceae
Type	Alocasia - Alocasia
Species	Alocasia baginda - Alocasia baginda
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Half-shade
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting methods	In pots In tubs
Categories	Interior Rhizome Herbaceous
Tags	Soiffarde Toxic
Origin	Southeast Asia
Hardiness (USDA)	11b
Leaf color
Flower colors