Silver Dragon Alocasia

• Attention-Grabbing Leaves
• Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Indirect Light)
• Average Watering Needs
• Mature Height 36 inches

Silver Dragon Alocasia (Alocasia baginda) is an elephant ear that stands apart from the rest because of its sturdy, unique leaves and compact, full appearance. The tops of its velvety heart-shaped leaves are silvery-green with bold, dark-green veins, sitting atop strong petioles. This low-maintenance dwarf plant continues to grow in clumps, maintaining its full appearance. Silver Dragon Alocasia is a toxic plant, so care should be taken regarding children and pets.

Best Locations For Growing Silver Dragon Alocasia Plant

To keep Silver Dragon Alocasia happy, its new home should offer plenty of bright, indirect light. These plants are sensitive to direct sunlight and should be placed slightly away from a window. Bright kitchens and bathrooms are great locations for Silver Dragon Alocasia, where watering can be achieved regularly and humidity can be kept high. During drier parts of the year, provide this Alocasia with a pebble tray or humidifier and avoid misting the leaves directly.

Silver Dragon Alocasia Sunlight Requirements

Silver Dragon Alocasia will keep its beautiful coloring and shape when kept in bright, indirect light. This can mean placing the plant directly in front of a north- or east-facing window, or slightly set back from a south- or west-facing window. To prevent the leaves from burning, keep Silver Dragon Alocasia away from intense direct sunlight. Kept in too little light, the leaves will lose their color and the growth may become leggy. Rotate Silver Dragon Alocasia every few days to keep the shape and growth even. 

Silver Dragon Alocasia Care

Silver Dragon Alocasia will grow best in humid conditions. To provide extra humidity, place your plant on a pebble tray – a shallow dish with pebbles and water, without setting the pot directly in the water – or keep it next to a humidifier. Despite its love for humidity, Silver Dragon Alocasia leaves are sensitive to water and prone to fungal and bacterial infections, and should therefore not be misted directly.

Watering Silver Dragon Alocasia 

This elephant ear will do best when potted in well-draining, slightly acidic soil that is kept consistently moist. Allow the surface of soil to dry slightly before watering, about two to three times a week in warmer months and about once a week to every ten days in the winter. Though Silver Dragon Alocasia prefers moist soil, it is still prone to root rot. It is important to keep the plant in high-quality, well-draining soil and in a pot with a drainage hole. Allowing the soil to dry out completely will lead to crispy, brown leaf edges. This plant tends to be sensitive to the salts found in tap water, so it may be necessary to use distilled or rain water, or leave a pitcher of water out for 24+ hours before watering.

Feeding Silver Dragon Alocasia

Because of its sensitivity to salts, use a high-quality, slow-release fertilizer on Silver Dragon Alocasia two to four times a year. Natural fertilizers such as compost and manure are also options for this plant. Both these types of fertilizers will break down over time, preventing the plant from being over-fertilized, which can cause more harm than good.