Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' has thick, stiff leaves in silver-green, with deeply sunken veins and dark ridges that genuinely look like scales. The leaves feel like leather rather than foliage.
It is a selection of Alocasia baginda, and like the species it stays compact and grows slowly.
Light
Alocasia 'Dragon Scale' grows best in medium to bright indirect light. The species grows on shaded limestone cliffs and never sees direct sun.
Too much light
The surface bleaches, and the raised scale texture flattens and dulls.
Too little light
Growth stops, and new leaves come in smaller with less contrast.
Watering
The whole difficulty with this plant. A small corm and fine roots mean it rots faster than any large Alocasia.
Water when the top 3cm (1 inch) is dry, and err on the dry side.
On average:
- Spring & summer: once a week
- Autumn & winter: once every 2-3 weeks
Signs of overwatering
- Leaves yellow and drop suddenly
- Stalks go soft and translucent at soil level
- Soil stays wet for more than a few days
Signs of underwatering
- Leaves droop and stalks bend
- Leaf edges curl inward and crisp
Humidity and temperature
Humidity of 60% or above, and higher is better. This plant does far better in a cabinet or terrarium than on an open shelf.
Keep it between 18°C and 27°C (65-80°F).
Soil and repotting
Soil
Very free-draining, heavy on bark and perlite. Many growers keep it in pure sphagnum moss or semi-hydro purely to avoid rot.
Repotting
Rarely, and only in spring. The root system is small and disturbance sets it back for months.
Feeding
Quarter-strength balanced fertiliser once a month through spring and summer. Nothing in winter.
Pruning and grooming
Remove fully yellowed leaves at the base.
Dust collects in the sunken veins and is what dulls the plant most. Brush it out gently with a soft dry brush rather than wiping with a cloth.
Dormancy
It goes dormant readily, particularly through winter, and often drops every leaf.
Keep the soil barely damp, stop feeding, and keep it warm. Check the corm before giving up: firm means alive.
Common problems
Sudden leaf loss
Dormancy or overwatering. Check whether the stalk bases are soft to tell which.
Crispy, curling leaf edges
Humidity too low.
Flat, dull texture
Too much direct light.
Spider mites
Common, and the deep texture hides them. Check the undersides weekly.