Alocasia Silver Dragon
In this article we’ll show you how to get the best out of your Alocasia Silver Dragon, covering care and propagation. The key is to keep it moist but not soaking wet or dry and maintain a high humidity level.
Alocasia Silver Dragon Summary
| Light needs: | Medium indirect sunlight. |
| Watering needs: | Let the top 30% of soil dry out before watering again. |
| Fertilizer: | Diluted balanced feed every month in summer. |
| Soil: | A loose, rich, well draining soil. |
| Humidity: | 60%-80%. |
| Temperature: | 15-27°C (59-81°F). |
| Where to buy: | Try our list of Rare Plant Shops or Etsy. |
| Common issues: | Yellow leaves, wilting due to under or overwatering. |
Introduction
The Alocasia Silver Dragon aka the alocasia baginda is a small and rare alocasia that originates from South-East Asia. It’s a really cool little plant with dragon skin textured leaves.
See also: Alocasia Care, Alocasia Dark Star, Variegated Alocasia, Alocasia Tiny Dancer, Alocasia Regal Shields, Alocasia Azlanii, Alocasia Cuprea Care, Alocasia Maharani, Alocasia Regal Shields, Alocasia Sarian.
Tip: we recommend Etsy for buying plants. Look for the best rated seller you can, and try to buy as close to your home as possible so the plant does not travel too far.
A note about affiliate links: when you buy a plant, pots, soil, or other goods through links on this article we sometimes earn a commission. It doesn’t cost you anything, but it really helps us out if you do use them. Thanks a lot! An example of this is if you buy a plant on Etsy using this link. Read our privacy policy for more information. Thanks again.
Light Needs
Medium indirect sunlight is ideal for an alocasia silver dragon. A bit brighter is ok too, but don’t give them direct sun, which can burn the leaves. They like a constant environment and do well under a grow light.
How Often to Water An Alocasia Silver Dragon
Let the top 30% of soil dry out before watering again and check it once a week. They do not like to be underwatered or overwatered so be careful. I use filtered tap water to water mine as I find they can be sensitive to hard water.
Tip: keep them moist but not soaking wet. So check them weekly and water if the top part of the soil is dry. Tip out any excess water afterwards to avoid water logging so you keep them moist without drenching.
Fertilizer
Use a well diluted balanced feed every month in the summer months. They will be ok if not fed, but they can grow faster and fuller if fertilized over the growing season.
Soil
A loose, rich, well draining soil is ideal. I use a mix of perlite, orchid bark and normal potting compost. For more on which soil to buy or how to make your own see our guide: Alocasia Soil.
When To Repot
This alocasia will be fine without being repotted each year as they don’t mind being a bit crowded, but if their roots are poking out the bottom, you can repot them up a size. Anytime of year for this is fine, but Spring is best before the growing season, so they have a lot of time to grow into their new pot.
Humidity
60%-80% humidity is ideal. These plants really love humidity, they are one to keep in a plant cabinet if you have one, or at least keep on a pebble tray. You can mist them too.
Tip: Get a humidity meter to monitor the temperature and humidity (they give maximum and minimum read outs so you know if they are falling off at night). They’re really cheap these days, under 10 euros / dollars.
Temperature
15-27°C (59-81°F) is ideal for the silver dragon. They will be fine in normal home temperatures.
Alocasia Silver Dragon Propagation
You can grow an Alocasia Silver Dragon from pieces of the rhizome or by splitting it at the base. Rhizome cuttings are fairly straight forward – you plant the rhizome like a bulb and keep it warm and moist.
To split the silver dragons at the base and take cuttings from the roots/rhizome:
- Empty the plant out of it’s current container
- Split the plants at the base: separate out individual plants with their own leaves and roots. Be careful so you don’t damage the roots/rhizome.
- Let the wounds heal over for a day, this will help to reduce the chance of rot.
- Plant the plants up in separate pots and water them.
You’re good to go!
Can you take a cutting from an alocasia silver dragon?
You cannot take stem cuttings, they need some of the rhizome/tuber (which is under the soil where the roots grow from) to survive.
Where To Buy An Alocasia Silver Dragon
Try our list of Rare Plant Shops or Etsy.
Is It Toxic To Cats?
It is toxic to dogs and cats if eaten, it can cause vomiting and irritation, so seek vets advice.
Alocasia Silver Dragon Leaves Curling
Curling is most likely due to a lack of humidity. Make sure you are keeping this plant in a high humidity environment. It also curl up when it doesn’t get enough light.
Alocasia Silver Dragon USDA Zone
Zones 9-11. It is really an indoor plant to be honest.
Other Names
Alocasia baginda silver dragon.
FAQs and Common Problems
Wilting or drooping are common issues. For these issues, check the soil and if it is wet then you could well have root rot, take the plant out of it’s soil and dry the roots for a day before repotting into dry soil. It could also be due to underwatering or too much heat, so if the soil is dry then water it well. The key to both these issues is to check the plant once a week but only water it if the top layer of soil is dry.
Alocasia Silver Dragon Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves on a silver dragon most likely indicate over watering and possibly root rot. As mentioned above, take the plant out of the pot and check that the roots are white and not brown. Move the plant to dry soil and then only water when the soil has started to dry out.
Alocasia Silver Dragon Yellow Tips
Yellow tips are a sign of fertilizer burn or hardwater. They can also be due to infrequent watering. Make sure you are watering them well.
Alocasia Silver Dragon Vs Dragon Scale
The Dragon Scale is a much darker green, the silver dragon has a very light green and silvery hue.
Alocasia Silver Dragon Vs Maharani
These tow plants are similar but can be easily told apart as the Maharani (aka grey dragon) is greyer and the silver dragon is much more silvery in color.
Why Is My Alocasia Silver Dragon Drooping?
Drooping happens due to irregular watering. It can be due to over or under watering your plant. So make sure you are checking the soil regularly but only water the plan it the soil is starting to dry out.
Can Alocasia Silver Dragon Grow In Leca?
Yes you can grow it in leca and clay pebbles. Make sure you give it some semi-hydro nutrients to replace what it does not get from soil.
Can Alocasia Silver Dragon Grow In Water?
They cannot grow in water alone make sure they are in a medium like soil, or leca that is well draining. They are not like philodendrons where you can just take a cutting and root it in water.
Is Alocasia Silver Dragon Rare?
They are relatively rare as supply cannot keep up with demand sometimes and the price rises, but they do crop up on Etsy all the time.
Additional Resources
Links: buy on Etsy.
Buy At Amazon (affiliate links):
- Humidity meter (a cheap way to monitor humidity and temperature levels)
- Humidifier (to maintain humidity levels)
- Compost / potting mix (Miracle Grow)
- Perlite (to add drainage to soil mixes)
- Moss pole
- Plant Pots
- How Not to Kill Your Houseplant (book)
Other Articles You Might Like
Hope you found this guide useful.
You might also like our other Alocasia guides: Alocasia Wentii, Alocasia Reginula a.k.a. Alocasia Black Velvet, Alocasia Sarian, Alocasia Frydek, Alocasia Zebrina.
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