Alocasia Black Velvet
A small alocasia with thick, near-black velvet leaves and silver veins, staying under a foot tall. A jewel alocasia that wants humidity, airy soil and restraint with water. Never mist the velvet.
Black Velvet is the jewel alocasia: small, thick, almost black leaves with a velvet surface and pale veins. It stays desk-sized for years, which makes it the most practical of the rare alocasias.
Two rules. Do not mist the leaves; water sits on the velvet and marks it. And do not overwater; the corm rots faster than the leaves can tell you.
Light
Bright indirect light, softened. An east window or a bright north one. Direct sun scorches the velvet. It tolerates medium light with slower growth.
Water
Water when the top two inches are dry, about weekly in summer and every two weeks in winter. Water the soil, never the leaves. It is one of the easiest alocasias to rot; when in doubt, wait.
Soil and potting
A very airy mix: bark, perlite and a little coir. A small pot; it has a small root system. Repot every couple of years, one inch up.
Feeding
A quarter-strength balanced feed every six weeks in spring and summer.
Propagation
Corms. Unpot in spring, collect the small bulbs in the soil, and sprout them in damp sphagnum in a warm, bright spot. They take a few weeks to leaf.
In a hot, dry home
Sixty percent humidity means a cabinet or a humidifier here. It also dislikes cold nights from the AC and will drop leaves and go dormant; if it does, keep the corm barely damp and warm until it regrows. A cabinet plant.
Problems and fixes
Leaves spotted or marked
Likely cause: Water sitting on the velvet
Fix: Never mist. Water the soil only.
Dropping leaves, going dormant
Likely cause: Cold, dark or dry
Fix: Keep the corm barely damp and warm; it regrows.
Soft, collapsing stems
Likely cause: Rot from overwatering
Fix: Unpot, remove rot, repot in dry airy mix and water sparingly.
Fine webbing
Likely cause: Spider mites
Fix: Shower gently, treat with insecticidal soap, raise humidity.
Alocasia Black Velvet questions
Should I mist Alocasia Black Velvet?
No. Water sitting on the velvet marks the leaves. Raise humidity with a humidifier or cabinet instead.
Why did my Black Velvet drop all its leaves?
It is dormant, usually from cold or dry conditions. Keep the corm warm and barely damp; it regrows when conditions improve.
Is Alocasia Black Velvet toxic to pets?
Yes. Calcium oxalate crystals irritate the mouth.
Plants with a similar rhythm
Alocasia Dragon Scale
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Water
- Weekly
- Pets
- Toxic
