‘Regal Shields’ Elephant Ear

Description

This Statuesque Stunner Makes a Bold Visual Statement

The Elephant Ear or Alocasia Regal Shields is one of our most popular plants –with good reason. Its large, textural leaves conjure up the tropics in one quick glance. Plant lovers admire its dark green topside and purple underside that’s accented with lime green veins. Alocasia ‘Regal Shields’ was hybridized in South Florida and patented in the USA.

Outdoors, the plant is wind-resistant, and prefers indirect sun and moist soil. It’s a great choice for a balcony or terrace. Indoors, make sure to keep the plant away from an AC or heating vent, as it dislikes constant changes of temperatures.

Commonly known as Elephant Ears, the Alocasia Regal Shield is from the genus of perennial evergreens: Alocasia. This plant is one of the most popular house plants specifically for its unique leaves. They look wonderful in the garden and can give your home the aesthetic value they deserve. 

History of the Alocasia Regal Shield

The Alocasia Regal Shields can be traced back to Southeastern Asia and the Orients. The Regal Shield Alocasia is native to Borneo and is a cultivar of two streams of Alocasias found in China and the Reginula. You can find the plant in Florida and many know it by different names such as the Black velvet, Alocasia Regal Shields, and the Black beauty. 

Caring for the Alocasia Regal Shield

If you are looking for a low-maintenance plant, then the Alocasia Regal Shield is the best option. You do not need to put in a lot of effort to make sure your plant is in the best shape. All it takes is three ingredients to make sure that the plant is healthy. Give it water, indirect sunlight, and fertilizer for your plant to flourish. 

Light

The best way to grow the Alocasia Regal Shield is to give it plenty of light. However, it is important for the sunlight to be filtered. To provide that you can use a grow light and make sure that your plant gets all the filtered light it needs. If you want to use natural lights, then the best you can do is to place the plant near a window. However, you will have to keep rotating it in the direction of the light to make sure it gets the most light. 

If you give your plant direct light it might burn, scorching the elephant ears. 

Soil

The Alocasia Regal Shield needs a well-draining soil that is rich in minerals. If you want to choose the perfect soil then you can go for a soil that dries out quickly. A soil with pH levels between 5.5 and 7 are a good pair. Avoid putting rocks and sand in the soil as that will not work well for the plant. 

Water

You do not need to water the Alocasia Regal Shield every day. Once every week is the best amount, however, the amount of water depends on the size of the plant and other factors. Ideally, you should only water the soil if the top inch of it is dry. Be very careful so as to not overwater it. 

If the weather is hot, you may even have to water your plant daily. 

Fertilizer

There are no particular requirements for fertilizers for the Alocasia Regal Shield does not have any specific requirements you can use any houseplant fertilizer. You can add the fertilizer every three weeks to give your plant the best conditions for maximum growth.  

Common Issues

The Alocasia Regal Shield is sensitive to the cold and does not survive frost. However, it can do exceptionally well in hot weather and is drought tolerant. You may experience some common issues such as a bug infestation and other diseases when you are growing the plant. 

If there are yellow or droopy leaves then there is a high chance that your plant has a problem. 

Pests

Aphids, Fungus Gnats, Spider Mites, and Mealybugs are the most common insects that can harm your plant. If you notice that your plant is being infested with such insects then you can either use neem oil to clean the surface of the leaves or use an insecticidal soap. Not only will these solutions kill the insects but it will also keep other pests off. 

Disease

Some of the most common diseases for the Alocasia Regal Shield include the browning of the leaf edges or brown spots on the surface of the leaf. This may be due to a lack of water or humidity, make sure that your plant has enough water. 

On the other hand, if you see some yellow spots on the leaves then it is possible for your plant to be infested by insects. 

Pruning

Like other house plants, you do not need to prune the Alocasia Regal Shields. All you need to do is trim the discolored leaves. You can also pull the damaged and dead leaves to make sure your plant is as healthy as possible. 

Propagation

To propagate the plant you need to divide the rhizome. If you want to propagate effectively then you must do it in the spring or summer. This is when the growing season starts and your plant will grow easily. 

Potting/Repotting

It is important for you to repot your plant at least once every two years. If you see roots coming out of the drainage holes then it’s time you start repotting.