Alocasia 'Dragon Scale Mint' - 8cm pot / 12cm
If a dragon had a baby with a mint choc chip ice cream, I reckon we'd be somewhere near this. Alocasia 'Dragon Scale Mint' is ridiculous. Deeply sculpted leaves, dark veins and pale mint marbling that makes you lean in to check whether it's actually real.
The Dragon Scale family comes from Alocasia baginda, a species from Borneo. You can see that rainforest character in the thick, shield-shaped foliage: raised panels and sunken veins that look more like armour than a leaf. The Mint form adds a completely different layer of colour over the top. Dark green one moment, frosted and almost luminous the next.
This is why I love collecting plants. You get texture, colour and the anticipation of an entirely new pattern every time a leaf opens. Put it somewhere you can see it properly. This deserves considerably more attention than the ornament currently occupying that spot.
Warmth, filtered light and a little humidity will help keep your dragon happy. Adopt it for the leaves. Stay for the daily inspections.
