How to Grow, Care and Propagate Alocasia 'Regal Shield' (with problems and solutions)

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Alocasia 'Regal Shield' requires bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, aroids potting soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Alocasia 'Regal Shield' commonly called Regal Shield Elephant Ear or Regal Shield Alocasia is one of the popular Alocasia varieties with heart-shaped, dark-green to almost black leaves with light-green venation on light-green stems.

Regal Shield Elephant Ear a large-leafed plant and is highly adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions making it one of bold statement plants for any space.

Botanical name: Alocasia odora X Alocasia reginula
Family: Araceae
Common names: Alocasia 'Regal Shield', Regal Shield Elephant Ear, Regal Shield Alocasia

Origin

Alocasia 'Regal Shield' is a hybrid between Alocasia odora and Alocasia reginula. Alocasia odora is native to Southeastern Asia while Alocasia reginula is native to Sabah State in Malaysia. The hybrid was developed in Florida but is considered native to Africa.

Size

Alocasia 'Regal Shield' is one of the fast-growing plants which grows to a height of 5 feet in about 2 years. The heart-shaped leaves can grow upto 2 feet long.

Flower

The flowers in Alocasia 'Regal Shield' are pale-colored spathes which only last a few days. They are inconspicous being hidden beneath the foliage. To conserve the plants energy and direct it to foliage growth, cut the flowers as soon as they appear though it is unlikely to flower when grown indoors.

Toxicity

Alocasia 'Regal Shield' like other Alocasia Plants is toxic to both humans and pets as outlined by ASPCA. It contains crystals of Calcium oxalate which if ingested can numb and swell the tongue and pharynx leading to difficulty in breathing and sharp pain in the throat. Keep it away from the reach of children and pets to avoid any mishaps.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to add Regal Shield Alocasia to your collection, you may obtain these plants online from Amazon (Link to Amazon) or from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

Alocasia 'Regal Shield' Indoor Care

Alocasia 'Regal Shield' flourishes in bright indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth of 15-27⁰C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, aroids potting soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Regal Shield Alocasia needs repotting only when it becomes pot-bound. Regular pruning is necessary to keep it neat and tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Water Alocasia 'Regal Shield' thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.

Lessen watering during the cold season to keep the soil barely moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Underwatering will signal dormancy to the plant which may cause the leaves to start dying in readiness for dormancy.

Regal Shield Alocasia does not like to sit in soggy soil as it is prone to fungal infestations like root-rot and leaf spot disease. Therefore, ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Light Requirements

Alocasia 'Regal Shield' grows best under bright indirect light (filtered light). Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can cause the leaves to be faded (bleached) and to die.

Too little light for Regal Shield Alocasia will signal dormancy to the plant which may cause the leaves to start dying in readiness for dormancy.

Regal Shield Alocasia will also grow under grow lights where the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant gets light on all sides for even growth to prevent lop-sided growth.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth of 15-27⁰C is ideal for Alocasia 'Regal Shield'. Below 13⁰C, the plant may drop all its leaves and go into dormancy stage. Keep it away from drafts as it hates sudden changes in temperature as they can cause leaf drop and reduced growth.

Alocasia 'Regal Shield' requires high humidity of 60-70% to thrive. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen and other moist areas in the home. Check out these techniques on how to raise the humidity for houseplants.

Occasionally clean the leaves by damp wiping them with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and discourage pests infestation. Ensure that there is good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Alocasia 'Regal Shield' should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Aroids potting mixes are ideal for Alocasias.

Photo: Amazon

Gardenera Aroid Potting Mix

Soil Sunrise Aroid Plant Potting Soil Mix

Photo: Amazon

Soil Sunrise Aroid Plant Potting Mix

Photo: Etsy

Molly's Aroid Potting Soil Mix

Fertilizer

Feed Alocasia 'Regal Shield' with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period for lush growth. Do not feed it during the cold season as the plant undergoes dormancy during this period and growth is minimal at this time.

Flush out accumulated salts arising from fertilizers every 2-3 months by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage holes. Let the stream of water run for a few minutes. Repeat the process several times.

Repotting

Alocasia 'Regal Shield' prefers to be root-bound, therefore frequent repotting is not needed. Avoid frequent repotting as the plant can take long to recover from repotting shock. Repotting every 2 years should be adequate.

Repot into a 2 sizes larger pot during the growing season only if the roots have grown out through the drainage holes. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to fungal infestations. Here are beautiful planters with drainage hole on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Alocasia 'Regal Shield' is easy as it only requires removal of yellow and diseased leaves as they occur to maintain the plant neat and to discourage diseases and pests infestation.

Remove the leaves by cutting at the base with a sterilized knife or pair of scissors to avoid disease transimission. Take care not to injure the new leaves that are forming.

Propagation

Alocasia 'Regal Shield' can be propagated by plant division at the beginning of the growing season.

How to propagate Alocasia 'Regal Shield' by plant division

Thoroughly water the Alocasia 'Regal Shield' at least one day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment as a well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.

Carefully take the Alocasia 'Regal Shield' out of its pot and gently divide the rhizome into sections by cutting through with a sharp sterilized knife. Ensure that each section has 1-2 stems.

Pot the sections in individual pots in moist, free-draining soil at the same depth that they were in the previous pot.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges after which you can begin routine care.

Alocasia 'Regal Shield' Problems

Alocasia 'Regal Shield' problems include plant death, leaf spots, yellowing leaves, drooping leaves, dropping leaves, pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to solve them.

Pests

Common pests in Alocasia 'Regal Shield' are aphids, spider mites, mealy bugs and scales. Isolate the affected plant to prevent further spread to other plants and treat it with insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions.

Dark brown or black leaf spots

Dark brown or black leaf spots in Alocasia 'Regal Shield' are an indication of leaf spot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil and overwet conditions. Isolate the affected plant immediately to prevent spread to other plants, remove the damaged leaves and treat with a fungicidal solution.

Make sure that there is proper drainage of both the soil and the pot to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Avoid misting and wetting the leaves to keep them dry and ensure there is good air circulation.

Dropping leaves and plant dying

There are three possible reasons why Alocasia 'Regal Shield' is dropping leaves and dying. These three reasons signal dormancy for Alocasia 'Regal Shield' and hence the leaves die in readiness to enter dormancy.

This happens during the cold season (winter) when the plant undergoes dormancy. Even if the foliage may die, the underground rhizome is still alive and can regrow under favorable conditions.

One possible reason why the leaves of Regal Shield Alocasia are dropping and the plant is dying is too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot and ensure it receives bright, indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is inadequate. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.

The second possible reason why the leaves in Alocasia 'Regal Shield' are dropping and the plant is dying is too low temperature below 13⁰C. >Regal Shield Alocasia grows best in average warmth between 15-27⁰C. Protect the plant from cold drafts to avoid sudden drops in temperature and maintain average warmth.

The third possible reason why the leaves in Alocasia 'Regal Shield' are dropping and the plant is dying is underwatering. Keep the soil moderately moist during the growing season and reduce watering in the cold season to keep the soil barely moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Read more on how to water houseplants the right way.

Leaves losing color and dying

The reason why the leaves in Alocasia 'Regal Shield' are losing color and dying is too little or too much light. Place it in a brighter spot and ensure it receives bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is inadequate.

Yellowing and dropping leaves

Low humidity is the reason for the yellowing and dropping of the leaves in Alocasia 'Regal Shield'. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.

However, it is natural for the older leaves in Regal Shield Alocasia to turn yellow and drop as the plant continues to grow. Remove such leaves by snipping them off at the base with a clean sharp knife or a pair of scissors to keep the plant neat and reduce pests and disease infestations.

Drooping leaves

There are two possible causes of drooping leaves in Alocasia 'Regal Shield'. One possible reason is too little light. Position the plant in a brighter spot where it can receive bright indirect light away from direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural light is inadequate.

The second possible cause of drooping leaves in Regal Shield Alocasia is underwatering. Keep the soil moderately moist during the growing season. Reduce watering in the cold season to keep the soil barely moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Brown leaf edges

One possible cause of brown leaf edges in Alocasia 'Regal Shield' is low humidity. Where the air temperatures are high, the air humidity is likely to reduce significantly. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or place the plant in a bathroom and other moist areas in the home if there is adequate lighting.

The second possible cause of brown leaf edges in Regal Shield Alocasia is accumulation of salts in the soil which could have come from fertilizers or water.

Flush out accumulated salts from the soil regularly by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage holes. Allow the stream of water to run for a few minutes. Repeat the process several times.