{"product_id":"dragon-scale-elephant-s-ear-alocasia-baginda-dragon-scale","title":"Dragon Scale Elephant's Ear - Alocasia baginda 'Dragon Scale'","description":"\u003cp\u003eDragon Scale Elephant's Ear (\u003cem\u003eAlocasia baginda\u003c\/em\u003e '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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMetallic, quilted texture.\u003c\/strong\u003e The puckered leaf surface has a hammered-metal look that catches the light from every angle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePale undersides.\u003c\/strong\u003e Flip a leaf and the back is creamy with maroon veins, a second colour scheme hidden beneath the first.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour that deepens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Each leaf darkens as it matures, so a plant bought this season looks richer the next.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProper height.\u003c\/strong\u003e At about 1m it is a real statement plant, not a desktop accent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePot or garden bed.\u003c\/strong\u003e It works as an indoor showpiece in a favourite pot, and in a warm tropical garden it can reach its full size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndoors as a feature.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropical garden beds.\u003c\/strong\u003e In a warm, sheltered, frost-free bed, set plants 60cm apart beneath taller canopy. The soil should be rich, moist and free draining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Dragon Scale Elephant's Ear in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTurning and tidying.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/elephant-ears\"\u003eBrowse all elephant ears and alocasias\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/elephant-ear-plant-care\"\u003eElephant ear care in Australia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-and-rare-plants\"\u003eExotic and rare plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/indoor-plants\"\u003eIndoor plants for every room\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy is it growing so slowly?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlow growth is normal for this plant. It puts its effort into building each quilted leaf, so look for steady improvement rather than fast height.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat humidity does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt does best when you recreate a tropical rainforest, steamy and warm. If your climate is dry, mist it regularly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I keep it with pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67789656555839,"sku":"ALO-BAG-DRAGON-tube","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/dragon-scale-elephant-s-ear-alocasia-baginda-dragon-scale.jpg?v=1792193578","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/dragon-scale-elephant-s-ear-alocasia-baginda-dragon-scale","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}