With its broad leaves and deep veins looking like a dragon’s scale, the undersides of the leaves being burgundy, and the stems being a beautiful shade of pink, this species is rightfully made as Alocasia Pink Dragon. The plant is not just beautiful, but it is also very straightforward in terms of its care and propagation. Such a unique-looking plant is only so rarely found to be so low-maintenance. To learn more about the species, how to take care of it, and how to display it indoors, keep on reading.
Classification
- Family: Araceae
- Subfamily: Aroideae
- Genus: Alocasia
About the Genus Alocasia
The genus of Alocasia consists of over 70 different species, all of the beautiful, elegant, ornamental plants that are widely popular for their foliage. They have broad leaves growing on long petioles. These are tropical plants that can grow surprisingly well under indoor settings and conditions. Some of the popular Alocasia plants include Alocasia Silver Dragon, Alocasia Odora, and Alocasia Baginda.
Common Names and Synonyms
- Alocasia Baginda Pink Dragon
- Elephant Ears Pink Dragon
Origin and Distribution
Alocasia plants are most often found around the tropical as well as the subtropical regions of Asia and East Australia. However, they are widely cultivated and propagated around the world. Locations that have more humidity and warm temperatures care for this species better than the colder regions of the world.
Features of Alocasia Pink Dragon Plant
Foliage and Stem
This plant is well-loved for its tropical appearance and broad foliage. The leaves are slightly curved, glossy, and dark. They are green with light-colored venation everywhere on their smooth surface. The leaves have beautiful undersides of burgundy shades and they grow on pink petioles. These leaves can grow as large as 50 cm.
Evergreen
Great news for ornamental plant enthusiasts, the Alocasia Pink Dragon has evergreen foliage which suggests that it will stay beautiful and elegant throughout the year.
Height and Width
Under good conditions, Alocasia Pink Dragon can grow up to 1.2 meters in height and can spread up to 80 cm in width. These measurements make them an adorable plant to display around indoor settings.
Temperature Tolerance
While it may be able to thrive in warmer weather, cold, frosty temperatures are not its favorite. So, make sure you move it to a more suitable location inside the house as soon as it starts to get chilly outside and keep it away from direct exposure to extreme temperatures like in front of an air conditioner, ventilator, or an open window.
Humidity Tolerance
Coming from a tropical environment, these Alocasias are highly tolerant of humidity. They appreciate any extra efforts to boost the level of moisture in the air. So, do not hesitate in turning on the air humidifier around the plant or misting it every once in a while. A well-hydrated plant is a must. Just ensure that you give the plant enough air circulation so that it can dry quickly. Lingering and accumulating moisture can lead to all kinds of problems for you and your Alocasia.
Drought-resistance
Considering how much it loves moisture, this plant would not do well under dry, water-deficient conditions. Thus, remember to keep it well-hydrated and thoroughly satisfied in terms of irrigation.
Pressure Tolerance
Thanks to its tough broad leaves, an Alocasia Pink Dragon is fairly resistant to pressure and will not die immediately if pressed or stepped on. However, constant external pressure in smaller quantities can hinder the overall growth of the plant. It may not be able to grow to its full size. So, make sure you place it somewhere free and spacious.
Disease and Pest Resistance
Alocasia plants are not resistant to diseases or pests. The most common problems they encounter are leaf spots, stems and root rots, and unwanted visitors like mealybugs as well as nasty spider mites. They are, however, resistant to deers and rabbits.
The easiest way to make sure your plant stays safe from any kind of disease and attack is to maintain proper cleanliness. Ensure that no dust or moisture is sitting on and around the plant. Under a case of illness, isolate the plant and spray it with commercial fungicides and insecticides. You may also have to prune and get rid of the dead and diseased parts of the plant.
Growth
The growth rate of an Alocasia Pink Dragon is fairly fast. However, it still depends on the amount and quality of care that it is getting.
Toxicity
Unfortunately, Alocasia plants are extremely toxic. They cannot be eaten or mishandled. Harmful effects include rashes on the skin, inflammation of the mouth and tongue, and irritation of the eyes.
Durability
Because they live a perennial lifestyle, these Alocasia Pink Dragon plants are highly durable and you don’t have to worry about replacing them for at least a few good years.
Maintenance
One of the many reasons houseplant enthusiasts love this species is because it is extremely easy to maintain and does not require any fancy extravagant caring routines. You can manage a Pink Dragon Alocasia the way you manage all your other plants and it will thrive just fine under room temperature and humidity levels.
Dormancy
This species, like all other Alocasia plants, goes into a state of dormancy during the winter season. Make sure that you do not over-water or overfeed the plants during the phase and especially avoid propagation and pruning.
Alocasia Pink Dragon Care
Alocasia Pink Dragon care requires lots of water and moderate amounts of indirect sunlight. Shady areas of the house with 60 to 85 °F are preferable. You can fertilize them during the growing seasons and groom them weekly to maintain their beautiful shape and structure.
Quick Care Guide
| Watering | Once the soil is dry. |
| Soil | Loose, well-drained, porous soil. |
| Sunlight | Indirect sunlight. |
| Temperature | 60 to 85 °F. |
| Fertilizer | In Spring and Summer seasons. |
| Re-potting | Every two years. |
Water Requirements
These are water-loving plants, so you can water them frequently. The requirements, however, vary based on the time of the year. During the cold, winter months, the water requirements of the plant tend to decrease. Ensure that you do not overwater the plant during this time. In contrast, these requirements increase in the windy and warmer days of summer. Remember to keep the plant well-hydrated during this time. Aim for 1 inch of irrigated soil per week. This includes rain as well. However, you must let the soil dry completely before watering it again.
Soil Requirements
The Pink Dragon Alocasia plant thrives if grown in loose, well-drained, porous soils. However, the growth medium should be well-aerated so that it does not become waterlogged. Suffocating roots can die very quickly if not managed early. The perfect potting soil composition would be one part of potting sand/perlite, equal parts of peat, and a part of the soil. You can also add compost to this mixture.
Sunlight Requirements
Alocasia Pink Dragon is a lenient plant in terms of sunlight. It can tolerate full and partial shade and, thus, grows well indoors. Direct sunlight exposure is a no-no. The leaves are prone to getting sunburnt and will start to look dull if out directly under the sun for extended hours.
It is better to put the Alocasia in a nicely lit room or under fluorescent growing lights. If you want to place it near a window, west-facing ones would be best suitable.
Temperature Requirements
These plants grow well at room temperatures. The general range would be 60 to 85 °F. Because of their tropical growing preferences, they always thrive in warmer environments. So, make sure you keep the plant in a less frosty spot during the winter season.
Humidity
Pink Dragon Alocasia loves moisture near its roots and around its leaves. An above-average level of humidity is required for these plants to grow to their maximum size. To make this happen, you can use external, artificial ways to maximize moisture in the air. These include humidifiers, misting sprays, and using pebble-trays.
Fertilizer Requirements
You can fertilize the plant when it is growing actively in the spring and summer seasons. The best way to boost their growth is to add compost. You can do this by scratching it gently into the uppermost layer of the soil. Make sure you do not disturb the roots.
Re-potting
A Pink Dragon Alocasia stays compact for all its life so repotting it is not a hassle. You can transfer it to a bigger, more spacious pot every one to two years depending on the health of the plant and your judgment. The right time to do this would be during the spring and summer seasons. You can also propagate the plant during this procedure.
Grooming and Pruning
Regular, weekly grooming, and cleaning of the plant are necessary to avoid any pests and diseases. Simply mist the plant with distilled water or Neem oil and wipe it clean. Remove any dead bugs or leaves from around the plant and make sure it looks nice and healthy. Pruning is not very necessary since they naturally have a neat growing habit.
Alocasia Pink Dragon Propagation
You can propagate and cultivate an Alocasia Pink Dragon in the spring and summer seasons through the division of their rhizomes. The following steps will make it easy for you to understand the procedure and follow it.
- Select a mature parent plant that you want to take the rhizomes from.
- Detach it from its current pot and divide the plant into rhizomes.
- You can now re-pot the parent plant or put it back into its original pot.
- It is time to plant these separate rhizomes into suitable soil.
- Fill up a pot of appropriate sizing using potting soil especially made for an Alocasia Pink Dragon.
- Remember to keep the rhizome standing upright. Press the soil around it so that it remains stable.
- Water the rhizome frequently and fertilize it around the first few weeks of growing.
- Place them under optimal light, heat, and humidity.
Timeline
Week 1-3: Carefully plant the rhizomes into their allocated pots. Give them good care and the environment to grow.
Week 3-6: The roots will progressively start to grow at this point.
Week 7-9: Shoots will start sprouting and they will quickly develop into green leaves based on the environment you are giving the Alocasia.
Month 4-6: Keep taking good care of the plant and continue to do so until it has grown into a fully mature Pink Dragon.
Alocasia Pink Dragon Vs Alocasia Polly
Because of the uncanny similarities between the two plants, many people confuse the two as one. This is a widely believed misconception. If you look closely at both species, the differences lie in their leaves. Alocasia Pink Dragon has much softer edges than Alocasia Polly. The latter has more edgy leaves with lighter-colored veins.
Displaying Alocasia Pink Dragon Plant
With their convenient size and statement leaves, you can easily brighten up any corner of your room by displaying one of these plants. The plants are perfect for terrains and you can put them on coffee tables, empty corners, or bookshelves. Just make sure that they are somewhere high up and stable so that the kids and pets can’t reach it.
Apart from being aesthetically pleasing, the species is also air purifying. So, not only does it add tropical vibes to your indoor setting, but it is also a hardworking, natural air purifier.
Alocasia Pink Dragon for Sale
When you go out to buy one of these plants, several things need to be on your mind. First and foremost, make sure that the Alocasia Pink Dragon for sale is completely healthy and free of any infections and pests. Look closely around the leaves and stems to identify any abnormal growth and colors. Secondly, you must be sure that the species you are considering is Alocasia Pink Dragon and not Alocasia Polly. The similarities between the two make this mix-up a very common mistake.
FAQ
Yes, the alocasia pink dragon is considered a rare variety. It’s mainly found in Southeast Asia and parts of Australia.
If your Alocasia pink dragon isn’t growing, there are a few potential reasons. It could be that the plant isn’t getting enough light or nutrients, the soil is too dry or compacted, or the temperature isn’t ideal.
To fix this, make sure to give your Alocasia pink dragon plenty of bright light and water it regularly with nutrient-rich water. Also, loosen the soil around the plant and make sure the temperature is between 68-86 degrees Fahrenheit. With some love and care, your Alocasia pink dragon should start growing in no time!
Final Thoughts
Alocasia Pink Dragon is a popular Alocasia plant, and it is not hard to see why. The plant is beautiful, and it gets all the points for its easy maintenance and simple care routine. However, the only drawback is that it is highly toxic, so you must take care no one ingests the plant or mishandles it.
