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The Alocasia Regal Shield features thick green leaves with dark purple-tinged undersides. Its unique foliage helps make this Elephant Ear Plant a focal point in any room. Growing up to 9' tall and 4' wide, Regal Shield Alocasia thrives in bright, indirect light and high humidity.
Alocasia Regal Shield Care & Buying Guide
Indoors: Bright, indirect light Outdoors: Morning part shade (4-6 hours)
Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy). Let them dry between waterings on the top 1-2 inches of the soil.
Keep high humidity around them at an average of 65-80%. Add a gravel tray, or use a humidifier or group with other plants. Don't spritz as it can cause foliar disease.
The Elephant Ear 'Regal Shields' grows in their original environment at warm temperatures. Keep them away from any cold drafts or heating and air vents.
Take inside where temperatures fall below 59°F.
Add a balanced liquid fertilizer at a quarter strength when watering indoors during the growing season between spring and summer. Give them a rest during the winter months.
Indoors:
Repot the Alocasia Regal Shields when the plant is rootbound (more roots than soil) in early spring before growth starts.
Hydrate the plant in the pot before transplanting or dividing and let rest for an hour.
Plant in a 2" bigger container in diameter and slightly deeper than the existing planter.
Use an indoor container mix that is well-draining mixed with a third cactus mix for good drainage. Add soil to the bottom to elevate the root ball.
Lift the plant and inspect the root ball. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim off with sterile pruners. If the plant is rootbound, untangle the roots to alleviate continued encircling. Trim up the side of the root ball so new roots will form.
Ensure the plant is sitting about 1" below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage.
Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Do not cover the current level of soil on the plant but add soil up to this level.
Water thoroughly, leaving the soil damp but not soggy. Add more soil after watering if the soil settles.
Outdoors:
Before planting or repotting in a container, water the plant in the grower pot well.
Find a spot in the garden where there are at least 4-8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Be generous by digging a hole twice the pot's width and 1 inch shorter than the grower pot to raise it above the soil level for good drainage.
Use a pitchfork or a sharp object to stab the soil walls to make several indentions for the roots to take hold.
Tickle the roots to loosen them if they wrap inside the container.
Place the plant in the center of the hole.
Fill the hole with water first, so the roots get another good drink.
Next, backfill with native soil mixed with compost by one-third to one-half (if the native soil is clay).
Add a rooting hormone fertilizer to this backfill mixture. Tamp the soil firmly down around the edges and mound up. Avoid covering the original soil level of the plant that was in the container.
Add mulch as needed but not next to the stem or branches of the plant.
Water lightly. Continue to observe the soil moisture each day, depending on the temperatures and soil drainage.
To clean the leaves, put in a sink, and use filtered water in a watering container to shower over the leaves to knock the dust off. After cleaning the leaves, remove any dead leaves or debris on the surface of the soil. At this time, keep a lookout for pests and treat or remove them. Refreshen soil mixture if needed.
Prune away dead, damaged, or diseased leaves down to the stem base with sterile pruners. Maintain the long vines as a full and bushy vine by trimming every few months or leave them to grow longer. As they thin out on the stem, trim back. Use the cuttings to propagate more plants!
Take stem cuttings from the parent plant. Cut with sterile scissors below the leaf node with at least two joints. Dip in rooting hormone and place it in moist soilless potting soil. Cover with a clear plastic bag to retain moisture and humidity while they root. Keep the cutting in warm, medium to bright indirect light. After three weeks, check the rooting of the baby cutting by pulling gently on the leaf. If it's snug, then roots are forming. Keep them covered until new growth appears. Remove the clear bag at this point and keep moist and humidity levels high while it matures.
Alternatively, place root cuttings in a container with water and maintain indoor temperatures at 65° to 72° F. Change the water weekly as the roots form to eliminate bacteria from forming. The cuttings will root within a four to eight week time period. Once there is a significant root mass of 3-4 inches, transplant into a container mix in a 4-6" pot.
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Alocasia Regal Shield: Overview
The stunning Alocasia Regal Shield (Alocasia reginula ‘Regal Shield’) is a tropical plant with dark green, large, thick leaves etched with bright green veins. The Alocasia plants are also commonly known as the Elephant Ear plants because of the shape of their large leaves. In the right conditions, its leaves can grow up to 5 ft. across. This remarkably ornamental indoor plant belongs to the Araceae family and is native to Southeast Asia. Alocasia Regal Shield can flower occasionally, producing a light green spike surrounded by a creamy spathe.
Alocasia Regal Shield is best suited for hardiness zone 10 and should be brought indoors when temperatures drop. This majestic plant normally reaches about 2-3 ft. in height indoors, but can grow to 9 ft. if given the proper care and space. Alocasia Regal isn’t the easiest plant to grow, requiring consistent care, correct lighting, and high humidity. But its stunning beauty makes the effort well worth it! Note that this variegated Alocasia is toxic to pets if ingested and should be kept out of their reach.
Alocasia plants are known and well-loved for their striking foliage; the elegant, white-veined Alocasia Polly is another gorgeous Alocasia variety available at Lively Root.
Alocasia: Benefits
- Spectacular tropical foliage
- An amazing gift plant
- Reduces stress and aids relaxation
- Air-purifying and humidity-regulating plant
- Perfect statement plant
Alocasia Regal Shield: Care Guide
Growing the beautiful Alocasia has many benefits, as this vigorous plant looks gorgeous in any setting. Follow these tips for the best Regal Shield Alocasia care:
Watering and Humidity
Consistent watering is vital in Alocasia care. The soil should stay moist but never waterlogged. Water when the top few inches of the soil feel dry. The Alocasia Elephant Ear loves high humidity, ideally from 65% to 80%.
Light and Temperature
Bright, indirect light is best for your Alocasia plant. Provide partial shade for your Alocasia outdoors and shield it from direct midday sun. The Elephant Ear Alocasia requires a warm and humid environment. The ideal temperatures are 70℉ - 85℉, and any temperatures below 59°F can cause damage.
Soil, Feeding, and Repotting
Loose, well-draining soil is the best way to provide your Alocasia Regal Shield with the care and nutrients it needs to grow. Add organic matter, bark, or sand to enrich the soil and enhance aeration. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted at quarter strength to feed your plant once a month during the growing season. The variegated Alocasia Regal Shield doesn’t require frequent repotting; repot about once every two years, choosing a 2-inch larger pot with drainage holes.
Alocasia Regal Shield: Propagation
The Regal Shields Alocasia is easy to propagate via division. Divide in spring and plant the separate tubers in well-draining soil. Place the new Alocasia plants in bright, indirect sunlight and monitor them for any signs of transplant shock.
Pruning, Cleaning, and Common Issues
Remove dead or damaged leaves, and prune if necessary to maintain the desired shape and size. Clean the leaves from dust with a damp cloth or shower the plant to refresh the foliage.
Watch out for yellowing leaves, which are a sign of overwatering. Don’t mist this plant, as water remaining on the leaves can cause fungal issues.
Regal Shield Alocasia: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants
With its exotic, deep green foliage, the Alocasia Elephant Ear plant is a wonderful statement plant for any space.
Best Locations & Uses
- Ideal for compact, well-lit spaces
- Suitable for more experienced plant enthusiasts
- Perfect for homes with no pets, as it’s toxic to cats and dogs
- Great for bedrooms due to its relaxing effect and air-cleansing benefits
- Gorgeous porch plant for warm climates
Companion Plants
Combine your Alocasia Regal Shield with plants with variegated foliage for a contrasting effect:
- Philodendron Ring of Fire (Philodendron 'Ring of Fire'): The Philodendron Ring of Fire sports gorgeously variegated, jagged leaves.
- Monstera Thai Constellation (Monstera deliciosa): The large leaves of Monstera Thai Constellation are dappled with creamy specks, resembling the Milky Way.
- Sansevieria Zeylanica Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata Zeylanica): The striped Sansevieria Zeylanica grows vertically and is ideal for narrow spaces.
Alternative Plants
Since Regal Alocasia is toxic to pets, consider these pet-friendly choices for your indoor garden:
- Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior): The sculpted, emerald leaves of the Cast Iron Plant make it an ideal focal point for your interior.
- Kangaroo Fern (Microsorum diversifolium): With its leathery fronds, the easy-care Kangaroo Fern is a fun and unusual plant.
- Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree (Musa acuminata): The Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree has striking foliage and grows edible fruit.
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