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Alocasia baginda 'Dragon Scale'

Dragon Scale Alocasia

Typical UK price

£8

Verified

Price by size

Sold, 90 days
23
Middle half
£7 to £10
Last sold
30 Sep 2026
On record
40
Cutting/cormEstimate
7cm23 sold
12cm3 sold
Mature4 sold
  • Sale
  • Typical
  • Middle half
  • Estimate
for a 7cm pot
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About Alocasia baginda 'Dragon Scale'

Alocasia baginda 'Dragon Scale' is a popular jewel Alocasia cultivar known for its leaf texture. The species is endemic to Borneo, typically growing on limestone formations. The leaves are thick, stiff, and leathery, with a light silvery-green upper surface and deeply recessed dark green-black primary and secondary veins that resemble dragon scales. The undersides are pale green-cream, marked with deep maroon-red veins.

Native range

Cultivated variety of the species native to the limestone hills of Kalimantan, Borneo.

Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo

Classification

Genus
Alocasia
Family
Araceae
Type
Cultivar
Growth habit
Dwarf, clumping, upright
Form of
Alocasia baginda

Morphology

Leaf shape
Broadly ovate, shield-like
Leaf length
15-22cm
Leaf width
10-15cm
Petiole colour
Short, pale green-grey
Venation
Recessed dark forest-green veins
Texture
Leathery, thick, stiff, corrugated
Variegation
None
Growth habit
Upright dwarf clumping

Recent UK sales

Show older sales

For sale in the UK

Current listings on eBay UK

By month

MonthMedianSold
Sep 2026£78
Aug 2026£813
Jul 2026£89
Jun 2026£86
May 2026£92
Apr 2026£132

Before you buy

  • Check the corm/base is firm, not soft or foul-smelling; Alocasia rot starts underground and spreads upward
  • Expect some seasonal leaf loss to be normal on jewel Alocasias. A bare corm with visible new growth point is not necessarily a dead plant
  • For named colour forms (Dragon Scale, Silver Dragon, Pink Dragon), confirm the leaf colouration and vein depth match the named form, since inconsistent labelling is common in this group
  • Inspect the undersides of leaves and leaf axils for spider mite webbing or stippling before buying

Alocasia baginda 'Dragon Scale' care

Substrate
Chunky, fast-draining aroid mix: 40% orchid bark, 30% perlite, 20% potting compost, 10% horticultural charcoal. Jewel Alocasias are highly prone to rot in dense, wet substrate.
Watering
Allow the top 2-3cm of substrate to dry between waterings. Reduce significantly in winter dormancy, when the plant may lose leaves and rest; this is normal, not a sign of failing health.
Humidity
60-80%. Below 50% humidity commonly causes crispy leaf edges and stalled growth; a humidity tent or cabinet is strongly recommended for consistent results.
Feeding
Balanced liquid fertiliser at quarter to half strength every 3-4 weeks during active growth. Stop feeding once the plant shows signs of seasonal dormancy.
Repotting
Every 12-18 months, or when offsets crowd the pot. Use a shallow, wide container that suits the dwarf clumping habit rather than a deep one.

Common problems

  • Sudden leaf loss / dormancy

    Cause: Natural seasonal response to shorter days or cooler temperatures, normal for jewel Alocasias

    Fix: Reduce watering significantly, keep the corm dry-ish but not bone dry, and wait for new growth in spring

  • Root/corm rot

    Cause: Overwatering combined with dense, slow-draining substrate

    Fix: Unpot, trim all soft/mushy tissue back to firm white flesh, dust with cinnamon, and repot into fresh dry chunky mix

  • Spider mites

    Cause: Low humidity and still air, especially in centrally-heated UK homes over winter

    Fix: Increase humidity, improve air circulation, and treat with insecticidal soap at the first sign of stippled leaves

Gear for this plant

How to propagate Alocasia baginda 'Dragon Scale'

Methods
Rhizome division, Offset (corm/pup). Step-by-step guide
Difficulty
Moderate. Rewards a consistent watering and light routine, but tolerates the occasional lapse. Suited to growers with some houseplant experience.
Time to establish
2-4 months
True from cuttings
Yes. Cuttings keep the cultivar's character.
Notes
Jewel Alocasias produce basal offsets/pups once mature, which can be separated with a clean cut through the connecting rhizome once they have their own root system. Named colour forms (Dragon Scale, Silver Dragon, Pink Dragon) breed true from division since they are stable selections, not chimeric sports.

Hybrids bred from Alocasia baginda 'Dragon Scale'

In the wild