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Alocasia Silver Dragon – 8 Caring & 4 Propagating Tips!

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Alocasia Silver dragon, also known as Elephant ear silver dragon or African silver mask, is the plant with the most decorated foliage patterns and mesmerizing colors.

The leaves of these plants contain silver variegation that provides a unique look to them. They have a moderate growth size, allowing you to place them anywhere inside your house.

They are the most sumptuous varieties of Alocasia baginda, a species from the Araceae family. These plants are herbaceous perennials in their natural habitat, but they do not grow as large indoors.

Perennials plants bloom in the summer and spring seasons and become inactive in winter and autumn. They grow again once the fresh air of the spring season hits the foliage.

Alocasia Silver Dragon 1
Alocasia Silver Dragon – via Etsy

Characteristics of Alocasia Silver Dragon

Every plant comes with its own unique characteristics and growth habit. We advise you to get all the relevant knowledge about your plant before buying it for your room or garden. To help you recognize your plant better, we have listed some of your Alocasia Silver dragon characteristics.

Foliage

They have emerald green leaves with dark green ribs. The silver sheen completely covers the remaining area with its glossy finish. The pattern of the leaves changes with ribs forming similar to dragon scales. It has the most mesmerizing foliage that can produce stunning colors on reaching maturity.

Flowers

They contain piston-shaped flowers, but keep in mind that these plants rarely bloom. If you find your silver dragon blooming, make sure you capture the moment as you are one of the luckiest ones.

Height and width

The plant’s leaves can grow up to 6 inches long and 4 inches wide. They are heart-shaped, attached above an upright growing stem displaying true natural beauty.

Origin

They are native to Borneo, where they grow as herbaceous perennials. These plants start growing from the ground and grow and bloom in the summer and spring seasons.

Toxicity

They contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause irritation and swelling of the throat. We advise you to please keep them away from your children and pets’ reach. If your pet or children consume the plants leave, take them to the hospital as soon as possible to get rid of the ingested poison.

Dwarf species

The overall growth of the plant is quite average, so you should not be concerned about clearing some extra space for your plant. The shape and size of the plant are compact, which is why they are known as Dwarf species.

Alocasia Silver Dragon 2
Alocasia Silver Dragon – via Etsy

Caring tips for Alocasia Silver Dragon

Caring for your plants is more difficult than choosing them for your garden in the first place. Every plant has different light and watering requirements that need to be fulfilled accordingly to thrive.

Some plants need more watering than others, while some do not need watering for weeks. Alocasia silver dragon is a durable plant that does not require much attention, but make sure that you follow the tips provided below for ideal growth.

Sunlight

They are sensitive to direct sunlight, so make sure to place them in bright, indirect sunlight. The leaves of these plants cannot stand against the might of harsh sun rays, so they get burned if you plant them in full sun for a long time.

Soil

A slightly acidic to neutral soil is recommended with a pH range of 5.0 to 7.5. Mix peat and perlite with your regular potting mix, all in equal concentration, to create an ideal potting soil for your plant. Compost can also be added to increase the nutritional value.

Water

Please water these plants carefully as they are oversensitive to both over and under-watering. Providing too much water to the plant can cause root rot, whereas lack of water to the soil can cause the tips of the leaves to turn brown and curly.

Water the plant once or twice a week, depending upon the season and soil condition.

Temperature

A warm environment with temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit would make the plant flourish. They can resist extremely hot temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit if they are not exposed to the open sun.

Humidity

A very high humidity level of 80 percent is required for these plants to thrive. If you live in a dry area, we advise using a humidifier or misting method to increase the humidity level. You can also place a pebble tray with water to provide a good moisture level for the plant to grow.

Fertilizer

We recommend using mulch or manure to feed the plant. These natural fertilizers allow the plant to grow faster with a lower risk of over-fertilizing. However, you can also use slow-release fertilizers in granules or sticks, which can be added to the mixture.

Pruning

Remove any damaged or wilted leaves to encourage the healthy growth of your plant’s leaves. It also helps in improving the airflow between the leaves, allowing the plant to distribute all the essential elements across the foliage evenly.

Pests and other diseases

Common pests such as mealybugs or aphids can be removed easily using neem oil sprays. Some diseases such as yellowing or browning of the leaves, leaf fall, and brown leaf spots are the worst enemies of your plant.

All these diseases are mainly caused due to lack of moisture and water, so follow this guide carefully to protect your plant from diseases.

Propagating Alocasia Silver Dragon

These plants produce rhizomes that you can be separate to grow a completely new plant. They can be located on the roots of the plant. Following are the steps to properly divide the rhizomes.

  • Remove the plant from the pot and clean the roots to identify rhizomes.
  • Separate the roots with rhizomes and cut them with a sterile knife.
  • Plant them in a soil mix of peat and perlite.
  • Water the roots and keep the soil moist in the initial growing period.

Conclusion

Alocasia silver dragon can light your room up like a true dragon. Grow these plants to get a full taste of how a plant can change the whole outlook of your house. Fulfill all the caring demand to ensure that your plant thrives with its true colors.