How to grow Alocasia Black Velvet (Full Guide)

If you’re wondering how to grow Alocasia Black Velvet you’re at the right place. In this article, we’ll explain everything, from Alocasia Black Velvet care, and watering to the propagation and pests and diseases.

Alocasia ‘Black Velvet” (Alocasia reginula), is a very popular mini gem alocasia. It has distinctive dark leaves and compact growth. Its name comes from its majestic appearance and black velvety foliage that contrast beautifully with its piercing white veins.

This Alocasia Black Velvet plant is truly a dark gem.

Alocasia reginula “Black Velvet” is part of an exclusive group of plants that have almost black leaves. It makes a bold statement wherever it’s placed.

This is a surprising versatile plant that can be used in many different places.

Both indoor and outdoor care for Alocasia Black Velvet is really easy. However, there are important watering tips that you should know in order to keep your roots healthy and protected.

Benefits of Alocasia’s Black Velvet (and a royal introduction).

Alocasia reginula “Black Velvet”, a tropical plant that is native to Borneo’s jungles, has a royal name.

The name “Black Velvet” is not only luxurious, but the botanical name Alocasia Reginula literally means the “little queen”.

The leaves are truly amazing. I believe they live up to their name.

This plant is known as the “jewel Alocasias” and will remain small, sweet and delicate throughout its life. This makes it very accessible for both houseplant owners and terrarium enthusiasts.

It has silvery veins that pierce through the black velvety leaves. This creates a strong contrast to a normal green background. Alocasia Black Velvet’ is a great focal point!

How to grow Alocasia Black Velvet – Indoor Care

At first glance

Plant Name	Alocasia Black Velvet, Black Velvet Elephant Ear
Alocasia Black Velvet Botanical Name	Alocasia reginula A Hay
Plant Family	Araceae
Type of plant	Herbaceous, Perennial
Plant Mature Size	Up to 1.5 ft. tall
Plant Sun Exposure	Partial
Plant Soil Type	Well-drained
pH for the Soil	Acidity, Neutral
Plant Bloom Time	Very occasional
Plant Flower Color	White
Hardiness Zones	10+ (USDA)
Native Area of the Plant	Southeast Asia
Plant Toxicity	Toxic both for people and pets

Alocasia Black Velvet Lighting

Alocasia ‘Black Velvet” enjoys direct sunlight which can penetrate the canopy, and its natural habitat is jungle flor.

Indoors, this means Alocasia “Black Velvet” will thrive in bright spots with lots of indirect lighting.

For guaranteed indirect light, north-facing windows are the best bet. However, east-facing windows can still work well so long as there isn’t too much morning sun. My personal mine is located approximately 7 feet from my southeast window.

Although they are not near a window, the sun is too bright for them. They love being outside in direct sunlight. If you are too far away from a light source, Alocasia Black Velvet may become a little sluggish.

Their dark leaf pigmentation indicates that they can tolerate lower levels of light. You are free to play around with it.

Ours averages around 100 footcandles during the main part of each day. This is sufficient to keep us going but could be more. We also increased the power of our grow lights.

They can withstand a little bit of direct sunlight during the winter months. However, you’ll soon notice their leaves curling if they get too much light. This leaf still shows the wrinkles from a random morning in the sun.

It is a native plant of the rainforest floor and will thrive under the shade of other plants. So feel free to mix your Alocasia with friendly foliage on a shelf, or in your terrarium!

Alocasia Black Velvet Watering

It can be difficult to water Alocasia reginula “Black Velvet” unfortunately.

Alocasia do not like water, as tropical plants definitely do. But they are remarkably sensitive to constant wet environments.

The thick leaves of this alocasia hint at its ability retain moisture. However, it is actually its rot-prone roots which dictate its watering requirements.

In brighter lighting, the thick leaves of Black Velvet Alocasia appear actually greener.

Watering properly requires two parts:

• Only add water to your substrate if it is dry to the touch. In terrariums, this means that you must achieve moisture balance with minimal amount of water intake.
• Proper drainage is important, regardless of whether you plant this plant in a container or in a terrarium. It also means that the water must drain through a hole or drainage layer and the soil/substrate should be suitable.

Watering Alocasia Black Velvet inside a pot should be stopped when it reaches the bottom.

Alocasia Black Velvet Soil/Substrate

To prevent root rot, it is essential to use a good-draining substrate. Fortunately, most tropical mixes can be used for this purpose (eg ABG mixture).

A granulated mix With the high content of orchid bark, sand, it will ensure drainage and aeration. You can also add vermiculite or additional perlite if needed.

You might also consider reducing the coco coir and sphagnum moss content in your tropical mix to ensure that there is less water retention with Alocasia “Black Velvet”.

Alocasia reginula “Black Velvet” is a common houseplant that can be grown in most homes.

Additionally, a tropical species doesn’t like too much moisture in the soil. It really enjoys higher temperatures and humidity.

The Alocasia “Black Velvet” plant thrives in a warm, humid environment.

To be truly happy, your humidity must be at least 50%. However, this can be achieved easily with a tray of gravel or a humidifier.

You can also combine a lot of herbs to help…

Alocasia ‘Black Velvet” plant is also doesn’t really like cold, so you’ll have to keep them away from a cold window during the winter.

It doesn’t matter if it is too cold to sit next to it; it will be too cold for your Alocasia!

Black Velvet Alocasia growth

This species is a gem in the alocasia family they are slow growing and compact even after fully maturing.

Fully grown, Alocasia Black Velvet will still stand just over a foot high.

Personal experience has shown that this plant can allow its older leaves to drop in favor of newer ones, which can slow down the entire growth process.

It will occasionally bloom with a simple white rose, but it isn’t very attractive.

My Alocasia Black Velvet flower in its early stages.

Natural fertilization, such as worm castings, can be helpful for your alocasia to get off to an excellent start. However, they will not need any additional supplementation.

They will also be happy to be a little rooted so you won’t have to repot as often.

Transplanting Alocasia Black Velvet

Alocasia Black Velvet likes small roots. Because of their slow growth, it is unlikely that you will need to repot them more than once every few year or when you intend to divide the Rhizomes.

Common pests and diseases of plants

These plants are generally immune to most diseases. They can be infested by spider mites. Spider mites thrive when there is little humidity. Your moisture-loving pet alocasia will appreciate this.

Propagation of Alocasia Black Velvet

Alocasioa Black Velvet cannot be propagated by cuttings or leaves. It is also difficult to grow from seeds. These plants can be spread by rhizomes, which are horizontally rooted underground stems. Rhizomes are able to produce new upward-growing shoots, giving the plant a clumping behavior. With relative ease, you can propagate Alocasia Black Velvet either by splitting clumps or planting rhizome cuts from mature plants.

• Wait until spring after your plant comes out of dormancy
• Use gloves to protect your skin from alocasia.
• To reveal the rhizomes, gently remove the plant from its pot.
• Cut some healthy-looking Rhizome offsets with a sharp knife from the central stem
• Place the cuttings into a moist, well-drained, potting mix. Keep them warm and moist.
• Allow roots to grow before you can take root. New growth usually takes at most a few weeks to emerge.

Single corms, which are small underground bulbs-like stems that produce new plants, are also common in plants. Because they lack adequate moisture, they cannot reproduce well in soil.

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Varieties and plants that are similar

A number of other jewel alocasia cultivars make excellent candidates for terrariums. These include Alocasia baginda “Dragon Scale” and Alocasia cuprea “Red Secret”.

A green velvet alocasia is also available (Alocasia micholitziana Frydek) but this one is larger and has more serrated, arrow-shaped green leaves.

Overwatering is the biggest problem with Alocasia reginula “Black Velvet” growing. You can achieve the right moisture balance by watering well and using a well-draining soil.

This plant, like other alocasias can be susceptible to spider mites if it is grown in a pot. Before you add new plants to your terrarium, it is a good idea to quarantine them.

Nevertheless, spider mites can be controlled by increasing humidity.

FAQs

Why is my Alocasia Black Velvet leaf curling?

Leaf curling can be a sign that there is too much sunlight, but it could also indicate excessive watering.

Why is my Alocasia Black Velvet turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves are usually a sign that plants have been over- or under-watered. However, in the case alocasia it is more likely to be the former. If you water often, it may help to adjust your watering schedule.

Why are Alocasia Black Velvet leaves falling off?

A healthy alocasia will lose its leaves over time. This is normal and nothing to be concerned about. They will sacrifice old leaves to provide all the nutrients they need for newer, bigger leaves. It’s part of the process!

Is Alocasia Black Velvet poisonous?

Yes, Alocasia Black Velvet can be toxic to both humans and animals.

Why do my Alocasia Black Velvet’s brown tips look so different?

Alocasia Black Velvet’s brown tips are usually due to fertilizer burn or insufficient moisture. Insufficient watering is likely to cause dry tips on the leaves.