Alocasia 'Dragon Mint'

🌿 Dragon Mint is a stunning Alocasia hybrid cultivar from the Araceae family, developed through selective breeding to showcase its extraordinary foliage. This tropical beauty originated from breeding programs that combined Southeast Asian Alocasia species, creating a plant that stands out in any collection. With its moderate care requirements, this plant suits intermediate growers who have some experience with aroids. Here's a fun fact: the silvery-mint tones on its leaves can shift in appearance depending on the angle of light, giving it an almost iridescent quality that changes throughout the day.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This Alocasia grows in an upright habit with a compact form, making it perfect for tabletops or plant stands. The leaves are shield-shaped with prominent veining that creates a stunning contrast against the mint-green and silver backdrop. Each leaf displays a velvety texture with darker green veins that seem to glow from within. The foliage emerges tightly furled and unfurls slowly to reveal the intricate patterns that make this cultivar so distinctive.
FLOWER DETAILS
Dragon Mint produces typical aroid flowers consisting of a cream-coloured spadix surrounded by a pale green spathe, though these blooms are rarely the main attraction. The flowers have no notable fragrance and appear infrequently on indoor plants. While the foliage is the true star, you can encourage occasional flowering by maintaining consistent care, providing bright indirect light, and keeping humidity levels high. Most growers actually remove flower buds to redirect the plant's energy back into producing those incredible leaves.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright indirect light for 6-8 hours daily. Avoid direct sun which scorches leaves. Tolerates partial shade but growth slows.
💧 Water: Keep soil lightly moist spring through fall, reduce in winter. Water when top 2cm of soil feels dry. Bottom watering works well to avoid crown rot.
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers 60-75% humidity. Benefits from pebble trays, humidifiers, or grouping with other plants.
🪴 Soil: Well-draining aroid mix with perlite, orchid bark, and peat. Needs excellent drainage to prevent root rot.
🏺 Potting: Terracotta or ceramic pot with drainage holes, 15-20cm diameter. Repot every 18-24 months in spring when roots fill pot.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate grower producing 2-3 leaves over 6 months, 4-6 leaves per year. Reaches 40-50cm tall and 30-40cm wide at maturity.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly spring through summer with half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer. Stop fertilizing in fall and winter.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. Contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause mouth irritation, drooling, and digestive upset if ingested by cats or dogs.
WHERE TO PUT IT
Dragon Mint thrives in bright bathrooms where humidity naturally stays higher, or in living rooms and bedrooms near east or north-facing windows. Place it on a plant stand or shelf where its foliage can be appreciated at eye level. This Alocasia also does well in offices with good natural light. Avoid placing it near heating vents, air conditioners, or drafty windows which cause stress. Keep away from cold drafts and never let it sit near exterior doors in winter. Skip dark hallways or windowless rooms where it will struggle and lose leaves.
RARITY ASSESSMENT
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