The Alocasia Regal Shields is a less common Alocasia plant that you see in plant stores. It is slowly gaining traction among plant collectors in the last year. It is known for is dark green leaves and lighter green veins on the top of the leaf while underneath they appear purple with yellowish green veins. This creates quite a striking look. Unfortunately, they are also known for their difficulty and pickiness in care. They are not the best houseplant for beginners. But they can thrive under the right conditions and with the right attention. In this care guide, we go over all you need to know about Alocasia Regal Shields care.
Origins
The Alocasia Regal Shields is a hybrid Alocasia, from the Alocasia odora and the Alocasia reginula.
The Regal Shields was patented in 2014. It was the product of a controlled breeding program at a plant nursery in Florida City, FL in 2007.
Alocasia Regal Shields Scientific Name:
Botanical classification: Alocasia odora×Alocasia reginula
Cultivar designation: ‘Regal Shields’
Other Names of The Alocasia Regal Shields:
- Regal Shields Elephant Ear
- Elephant’s Ear (Alocasia ‘Regal Shields’)
- Alocasia Regal Shield
Quick Overview on How to Care for an Alocasia Regal Shields Plant
- Water once the top 2 inches of soil has dried. Never water with tap water.
- Medium to bright indirect light.
- Rotate the pot regularly to avoid legginess and leaning.
- Well draining aroid soil mix.
- Needs a well draining pot.
- Fertilize once a month in the spring and summer at half strength.
- Temperatures: 60°F – 80°F
- Humidity: 40% – 70%
Other Alocasia Care Guides:
Watering
Alocasia Regal Shields can be picky when it comes to watering needs. You have to be careful not to overwater them or underwater them. Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out, but don’t allow all of the soil to dry out before you give it more water.
Always use filtered, distilled, or rain water. Do not water your Regal Shield with regular tap water.
If your Regal is growing new leaves it will need to be watered more often. If you notice new growth check the soil moisture at least every other day during this time to ensure that it has the proper moisture levels. Without enough or with too much water you will lose the new leaf that is growing.
Lighting Needs
The Alocasia Regal Shields can do well in medium to bright indirect light. It can tolerate some sun, morning or late evening sunlight is best.
If you notice that your Alocasia is starting to look too leggy or is leaning too far towards the light then you want to move it to a location with more light.
Rotate your Regal Shields plant regularly so that it will not lean over to one side towards its light source.
Alocasia Regal Shields Soil Mix
Well-draining soil is best, but you want a good balance between draining well but also retaining some moisture.
Some options for good soil mixes would be a make your own with equal parts potting soil, orchid bark, perlite, and worm castings. You could also get a premade aroid soil mix. Another option is that you can combine 1 part succulent soil with 2 parts regular potting soil.
Pots
Your potting choices for Alocasia Regal Shields vary greatly and it all depends on your watering style. If you tend to overwater your plants then terracotta would be a good option, if you underwater them then it would be best to stay away from terracotta. Other than that you can use standard ceramic or plastic plant pots. Just make sure that the pot you pick out has drainage.
Repotting
Alocasia Regals tend to prefer smaller pots compared to the size of the plant.
Once you see roots coming out of the existing pot then it is time to repot your Regal Shields. If your plant is dropping leaves with no signs of pests that could be another indication that it needs repotting.
Pick a new pot that is only 1 inch bigger than its current pot. They don’t respond well to big increases in pot size.
The best time to repot is in the spring.
Fertilizer
During the spring and summer months, fertilize your plant once a month with any all-purpose houseplant fertilizer at half strength.
If you have just repotted your plant, skip a few months of fertilizing due to the plant food in most soil mixes.
Alocasia Regal Shields Temperature
Alocasia Regal Shields can tolerate temperatures between 60°F and 80°F. The optimal temperature is a steady 70°F. Don’t let the temperature drop below 50°F.
Keep your plant out of drafts from both air conditioners or central heating.
Alocasia Regal Shields Humidity
Humidity between 40% and 70% will be ok for the Alocasia Regal Shields. The optimal humidity is 60%.
If you start to see brown edges on the plant that is an indicator that the humidity is too low and your plant needs higher levels. Small humidifiers can help increase humidity when placed near your plant.
Alocasia Regal Shields Size
These plants can grow up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
Growing Alocasia Regal Shields Outdoors
They can grow outdoors but will need to overwinter indoors, or at any point that the temperature starts going below 50°F.
If you are in southern Florida in Zone 10, these plants should be able to withstand the winter there.
Alocasia Regal Shields Toxicity to Pets
Alocasias are toxic to both cats and dots. Like other tropical plants, they do have oxalate crystals that can be released when they are chewed or bitten.
Common Problems
Dirty Leaves
With the shape and size of the leaves these plants can get a buildup of dust easily. Every other time that you water your Regal Shield, wipe down the leaves with a damp rag. Don’t use anything but water on the rag when you do this.
Spider Mites
The most common pests that people get on an Alocasia Regal Shield is spider mites. If you have an issue with them on your plant it can be that the humidity levels are too low. Spider Mites don’t like moisture. You can use neem oil to help get rid of these pests or also spray the plant with filtered water since moisture will force the mites to go elsewhere.
It is a good idea to periodically check the leaves for spider mites, you can easily do this when you wipe down the leaves of the plant.
Yellow Spots on the Leaves
Alocasia Regal Shields tend to get yellow spots on the leaves due to inconsistent watering. If you let the plant get overwatered and then underwatered regularly these will start to develop.
Yellow Leaves
Yellowing leaves indicate that the plant is overwatered. Cut back on the watering. Changing the soil to a more barky mix can help keep from too much moisture building up in the soil. Also, make sure that you have a pot that has drainage. Switching to a terracotta pot could also be another option to help avoid overwatering.
Brown Tips
Brown tips on the leaves of an Alocasia Regal Shield indicate that the plant is underwatered.
Brown Edges
Brown edges all the way around the leaves indicate that the humidity levels are too low. You can get a small humidifier to help raise the humidity near the plant.
REFERENCES:
- Alocasia plant named ‘Regal Shields’; Google Patents; https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP27050P2/en
- Elephant’s Ear (Alocasia ‘Regal Shields’); The National Gardening Association; https://garden.org/plants/view/613129/Elephants-Ear-Alocasia-Regal-Shields/
- 2013 New Releases From Aroidia; Aroidiaresearch.org; http://aroidiaresearch.org/releases2.htm
- Alocasia; Pet Poison Helpline; https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/alocasia/
