Introduction
The Alocasia Dragon Scale is a beautiful and exotic plant species native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, including countries like Borneo, Malaysia, and Thailand. In their native environment, they grow as understory plants, often in the shade of larger trees.
These plants are part of the Araceae family, which includes other popular houseplants like the Philodendron and Monstera. The Alocasia genus includes around 80 species, many of which are also found in Southeast Asia.
While these exotically unique plants are not the easiest plants to care for, they are also not the most difficult. They require a bit of attention and care, but once you establish a routine, they can thrive in your home. Important things to bear in mind are humidity levels and making sure to re-pot your plant every 1-2 years into slightly bigger pots so that it can continue to grow properly.
Alocasia Dragon Scale plants have become popular as houseplants because of their striking appearance, with their dark green leaves and metallic silver veins. They can be found at nurseries and plant shops and have gained a reputation as a somewhat challenging but rewarding plant to care for.
Common Issues
The most important aspects of caring for Alocasia Dragon Scale Black plants are providing them with the right amount of water, light, and humidity. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause the leaves to dry out and yellow. These plants also require bright, indirect light and high humidity levels to thrive.
Additionally, Alocasia Dragon Scale Black plants can be sensitive to temperature changes and drafts, so it's essential to keep them in a stable environment. They also need to be fertilized regularly during the growing season.
As with any plant, keep an eye out for pests such as spider mites and mealybugs: the all-too-common enemies of most indoor plants. You can use an insecticidal soap or neem oil to control these pests.
Watering
Water your Alocasia Dragon Scale Black once the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry. Overwatering can cause root rot, so it's important not to let the plant sit in water. You can also mist the leaves occasionally to increase humidity.
Keep a close eye on your plant's leaves! If they're looking dry or are beginning to yellow, it's time for watering! Simililarly, if the leaves are not looking healthy they might need misting. Misting with a light spray of water once a day should be adequate, but this will depend on the indoor environment.
Here are some additional ways to ensure enough humidity for the plant to thrive:
Use a humidifier: You can use a humidifier to increase humidity levels in the room. Place the humidifier near the plant to create a localized humid environment.
Group plants together: Grouping plants together can create a microclimate that increases humidity levels around the plants.
Use a pebble tray: Placing a layer of pebbles at the bottom of a tray and adding water can create a humid microclimate around your Alocasia Dragon Scale Black plant.
Use a humidity dome: You can also use a humidity dome or a cloche to cover the plant and create a humid environment.
Ensuring Adequate Nutrients
These plants prefer well-draining soil that's rich in organic matter. A mixture of potting soil, peat moss, and perlite works well. Feed your Alocasia Dragon Scale every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Reduce fertilization during the winter months, but as mentioned earlier, it's best to make sure you're providing adequate fertilizer for your Scale during the growing season!
Best Placement
Dragon Scales don't cope well in an environment that changes drastically. Furthermore, make sure to keep these plants out of areas where harsh drafts frequently occur, and far away from airconditioning or heating units, as these will dry out the air and harm the Dragon Scale leaves.
Direct sunlight can scorch the plant's leaves, so bright, indirect light is best here: such as near a window with filtered light.
Conclusion
Alocasia Dragon Scale Black plants have a unique and striking appearance and can provide a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment for plant enthusiasts. Their dark green, velvety leaves, and metallic silver veins, with a texture that resembles dragon scales, adds to their appeal.Their popularity is likely to continue as more people discover their beauty and unsurprisingly, this plant is highly "Instagrammable" - a quick search will provide all the evidence you need for that while also no doubt providing an excellent source of care tips and tricks!
