Dragon Scale Elephant's Ear

Dragon Scale Elephant's Ear (Alocasia baginda 'Dragon Scale') is a rainforest foliage plant whose leaves look like quilted metallic fabric. It grows to about 1m tall and 50cm wide, with a silvery blue-green surface that shades to deeper tones in the middle and along the veins. Growth is slow, so every new leaf is worth watching.

Why you'll love it

• Metallic, quilted texture. The puckered leaf surface has a hammered-metal look that catches the light from every angle.
• Pale undersides. Flip a leaf and the back is creamy with maroon veins, a second colour scheme hidden beneath the first.
• Colour that deepens. Each leaf darkens as it matures, so a plant bought this season looks richer the next.
• Proper height. At about 1m it is a real statement plant, not a desktop accent.
• Pot or garden bed. It works as an indoor showpiece in a favourite pot, and in a warm tropical garden it can reach its full size.

Where it works best

Indoors as a feature. Choose your best pot and a position that gets bright light for at least half the day without harsh direct sun. Leaves can release a little harmless sap, so stand it on tile or a surface that wipes clean.

Tropical garden beds. In a warm, sheltered, frost-free bed, set plants 60cm apart beneath taller canopy. The soil should be rich, moist and free draining.

Growing Dragon Scale Elephant's Ear in Australia

Position and climate. Aim for the feel of a steamy rainforest floor: warm, humid and filtered. Bright light for half the day or more suits it, but direct sun is too much. It belongs outdoors only in tropical gardens and sheltered, frost-free subtropical ones. Everywhere else, grow it indoors where it stays warm and sheltered.

Soil. A rich, moist loam that still drains freely is ideal. In a pot, use a good potting mix and make sure water runs out of the base.

Water and feed. Little and often is the rule, keeping the mix damp but never waterlogged. Mist the leaves regularly if the air is dry, and add a weak liquid feed through the warmer months to support steady growth.

Turning and tidying. Rotate an indoor plant a little every month so it grows evenly. Take off leaves as they age, and otherwise leave it alone, because it needs very little pruning.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Dragon Scale Elephant's Ear as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small and grows slowly, so be patient. Plant it into a rich, free draining mix, keep it warm and sheltered, and you will see the leaf texture develop as it grows. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse all elephant ears and alocasias
• Elephant ear care in Australia
• Exotic and rare plants
• Indoor plants for every room

Common questions

Why is it growing so slowly?

Slow growth is normal for this plant. It puts its effort into building each quilted leaf, so look for steady improvement rather than fast height.

What humidity does it need?

It does best when you recreate a tropical rainforest, steamy and warm. If your climate is dry, mist it regularly.

Can I keep it with pets?

Only out of reach. Alocasias are toxic if eaten and the sap may irritate, so choose a high plant stand or a room the pets cannot enter.