Alocasia 'Antoro Velvet'

Alocasia 'Antoro Velvet'

Alocasia ‘Antoro Velvet’ is a compact Alocasia with deep green to almost black leaves and a fine, velvety surface. It is also sold under the cultivation name Alocasia ‘Chienlii’.

New blades rise on sturdy petioles and mature into slightly arrow-shaped leaves held close to the base. Even small plants show the dark, matte leaf surface clearly.

Velvet-dark leaves

• Foliage: Deep green to almost black blades with a dark, matte appearance.
• Texture: Fine pubescence gives the leaves their velvet-like surface.
• Habit: Short-stemmed, rhizomatous growth with leaves held close to the pot.
• Cleaning: The leaf surface marks easily from rough wiping, so dust gently with a soft brush or dry cloth.

Borneo and Antoro Flora

Alocasia ‘Antoro Velvet’ is a Bornean plant from Indonesian cultivation, associated with Sahmantoro of Antoro Flora.

Care for the pubescent surface

• Light: Give bright indirect light near an east window, softened south or west exposure, or a suitable grow light. Direct sun through glass can mark the dark leaf surface.
• Watering: Water when the upper part of the mix has dried and the pot feels lighter. Let water run through the pot, then keep the base out of stale, wet mix.
• Substrate: Use a fine-to-medium aroid mix with bark, coco fibre or chips, perlite, pumice or lava rock. Add only a small moisture-holding part so the mix does not stay wet around the rhizome.
• Pot size: Keep the container close to the root volume. A compact root ball in an open mix dries more evenly than a deep pot with unused wet substrate.
• Temperature: Keep the plant warm, especially after watering. Cold, damp substrate slows roots and raises the risk of rot.
• Humidity: Moderate to high humidity reduces sticking as new leaves emerge from the sheath. In cabinets and vitrines, gentle air movement prevents the velvet surface from staying damp.
• Feeding: Feed lightly while the plant is making new leaves. Too much fertiliser leaves salts in the mix, which can damage roots and show later as brown margins.
• Propagation: Offsets or cormels need warmth, humidity and light moisture until fresh roots are visible.

Dark leaf stress signs

• Soft base: A cold, wet mix can soften the base and rot roots quickly.
• Crisp edges: Crisp edges usually follow a mix that dried too far, very dry air, or heat from lamps and radiators.
• Yellow lower leaves: One older leaf may fade as a new leaf develops; several yellowing leaves at once point to wet roots, weak light or stress after moving.
• Fine stippling: Inspect the underside of leaves and petioles for spider mites before the matte surface loses colour.

Pet and child safety

The leaves and sap can irritate skin and mouth tissue. Keep Alocasia ‘Antoro Velvet’ away from pets and children, and wash your hands after pruning or handling damaged growth.

Choose this Alocasia if you want a compact plant with dark colour and visible velvet texture.