Plant Care Black Velvet Alocasia

Black Velvet Alocasia

4.1 out of 5 (35 experiences)

Black Velvet Alocasia has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves
Black Velvet Alocasia has a Browns easily plant personality Browns easily

About Black Velvet Alocasia

The black velvet Alocasia’s ancestors appeared 24 million years ago in Borneo, the largest island in Asia and home to one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Alocasia ‘Black Velvet’ was named a plant variety, or cultivar, by Scott Hyndman, who obtained it from the Lyon Arboretum in Hawaii. However, a Japanese collector in Borneo found it in the wild—growing naturally in a 140-million-year-old rainforest in Borneo—and categorized it as a new species in 1998. 🖤

Taxonomy

Alocasia reginula
Alocasia
Araceae
Alismatales

Also known as

The Dwarf Black Queen, Black Velvet Elephant Ear, Little Queen and Black Velvet Pink Variegated

How to care for Black Velvet Alocasia

💦 Water

How often to water your Black Velvet Alocasia

Water needs for Black Velvet Alocasia
0.5 cups
every 9

Black Velvet Alocasia needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Black Velvet Alocasia

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Black Velvet Alocasia in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Black Velvet Alocasia: 3ft from a window
3ft or less from
a window

Black Velvet Alocasia may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Black Velvet Alocasia in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Black Velvet Alocasia

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Black Velvet Alocasia: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Black Velvet Alocasia after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #BlackVelvetAlocasia
💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Black Velvet Alocasia is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Black Velvet Alocasia →

Benefits of Growing Black Velvet Alocasia →

Common Black Velvet Alocasia Problems →

Indoor Care Guide for Black Velvet Alocasia →

Outdoor Care Guide for Black Velvet Alocasia →


💦 Water Needs

Black Velvet Alocasia prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Black Velvet Alocasia Water Frequency →

Black Velvet Alocasia Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Black Velvet Alocasia may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Black Velvet Alocasia Light Requirements →

Black Velvet Alocasia Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Black Velvet Alocasia is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

Is Black Velvet Alocasia Edible? →

Black Velvet Alocasia Toxicity to Cats →

Black Velvet Alocasia Toxicity to Dogs →

Black Velvet Alocasia Toxicity to Humans →


💨 Humidity

Black Velvet Alocasia prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Black Velvet Alocasia Humidity Needs →


🪴 Soil

Black Velvet Alocasia is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for Black Velvet Alocasia →

Best Pots for Black Velvet Alocasia →

When and How to Successfully Repot Black Velvet Alocasia →

What Are Healthy Black Velvet Alocasia Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

Black Velvet Alocasia is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize Black Velvet Alocasia →


❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Black Velvet Alocasia to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.


🌎 Native Region

Black Velvet Alocasia is native to tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.


🌸 Flowers
⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Black Velvet Alocasia is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.

Black Velvet Alocasia Lifecycle →

Black Velvet Alocasia Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Black Velvet Alocasia →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors
🌱 Propagation

Black Velvet Alocasia can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:

  • Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
  • To get the cutting to root, you can either:
    • Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
    • Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.

How to Propagate Black Velvet Alocasia →


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Black Velvet Alocasia, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Black Velvet Alocasia

Black Velvet Alocasia

Black Velvet Alocasia


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 3ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Black Velvet Alocasia has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 21
Black Velvet Alocasia has a Browns easily plant personality Browns easily 11
Black Velvet Alocasia has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 10
Black Velvet Alocasia has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 9
Black Velvet Alocasia has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 3
Black Velvet Alocasia has a Pest magnet plant personality Pest magnet 3
Black Velvet Alocasia has a Blooms easily plant personality Blooms easily 3
@ali avatar
@@ali
leaf-1 7 Plants
xp 2,588 XP
globe Cave Creek, AZ
03/22/2022

Love her but I hate her

Fast grower Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Pest magnet Pest magnet
Browns easily Browns easily
@ali avatar
@@ali
leaf-1 7 Plants
xp 2,588 XP
globe Cave Creek, AZ
01/29/2022

Special gal

Fast grower Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
Browns easily Browns easily
Pest magnet Pest magnet
@MeganO avatar
@@MeganO
leaf-1 41 Plants
xp 20,843 XP
globe Washington, DC
01/18/2022

Thought this was going to be a goner after losing all but one leaf but it’s survived and has put out two new leaves since getting it.

Survivor Survivor
@boki avatar
@@boki
leaf-1 107 Plants
xp 3,626 XP
globe San Juan, Metro Manila
11/22/2021

Love the Holland version of this land… the leaves are rounder.

Survivor Survivor
@ard.thresher avatar
@@ard.thresher
leaf-1 10 Plants
xp 366 XP
10/07/2021

Got this plant delivered and straight away she didn’t like me, died off after a couple of weeks with me. or so i thought, i have since moved to putting her in hydro and have got what seems like new life out of her, so id say incredibly temperamental

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
Browns easily Browns easily
@harrytheplant avatar
@@harrytheplant
leaf-1 16 Plants
xp 1,401 XP
globe Westerville, OH
10/02/2021

little high maintenance but nothing crazy, just make sure youre misting them and watering regularly with lots of sun

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@Alyssablindsay avatar
@@Alyssablindsay
leaf-1 31 Plants
xp 1,844 XP
globe Cronulla, New South Wales
09/05/2021

This is a very pretty plant despite they fact that it is incredibly fussy. It took my months to find the right place for it. I suggest high humidity and medium indirect light also keep to solid relatively moist

Browns easily Browns easily
Hollie avatar
@Hollie
leaf-1 2 Plants
xp 56 XP
globe Pinjarra, Western Australia
08/13/2021

Look.. Fred has had his ups and downs.. but recently Fred occurred 3 very unhappy leaves and was basically dying (so dramatic). Said leaves were removed surgically, and Fred said thankyou by starting to grow a new leaf.. Don't be like Fred.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
Hollie avatar
@Hollie
leaf-1 2 Plants
xp 56 XP
globe Pinjarra, Western Australia
08/11/2021

Tempermental

Browns easily Browns easily
Survivor Survivor
@Mariahmusic avatar
@@Mariahmusic
leaf-1 46 Plants
xp 1,552 XP
globe Milwaukee, WI
06/28/2021

Let’s off new leaves at least once a month and gorgeous

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
Finn avatar
@Finn
leaf-1 3 Plants
xp 61 XP
globe Southport, Queensland
06/09/2021

It’s gorgeous, needs light and humidity

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@colinm avatar
@@colinm
leaf-1 8 Plants
xp 585 XP
globe Phoenix, AZ
05/27/2021

Pure, concentrated evil. But the leaves are so beautiful you’ll put up with this drama queen and her bizarre upkeep requirements. Picky about light. Picky about watering. Picky about anything even thinking about touching its leaves. After a year of following the directions of the plant shop and every care guide without much success, our black velvet is now thriving after a move to our darkish bathroom and being watered only by misting the soil.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@egotopia avatar
@@egotopia
leaf-1 66 Plants
xp 9,716 XP
globe Jacksonville, FL
05/18/2021

Mine loves being right next to the humidifier but having the soil dry out just a bit. It’s currently in peat and is about a foot and a half away from a west facing window. It does not get direct sun. Has a tendency to drop its lower leaves as it prepares to push out new leaves.

Browns easily Browns easily
Pest magnet Pest magnet

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