Alocasia infernalis 'Black Magic'

Where Alocasia infernalis grows naturally

Alocasia infernalis comes from the Sungai Gaat area of Sarawak, where it grows on very moist lowland valley floors. Its roots pass through deep leaf litter into clay-rich soil over sandstone beneath a heavily shaded canopy. At home, keep it warm and humid in gentle light. Use an open potting mix that stays evenly moist.

Plant care for Alocasia infernalis ‘Black Magic’

• Light: Place it in medium to bright filtered light, set back from harsh direct sun. Its dark, glossy leaves are well suited to a stable, diffuse position.
• Watering: Keep the substrate evenly moist, allowing only the thin surface layer to begin drying before watering again. Soak the root ball thoroughly and let it drain fully.
• Humidity: Maintain relative humidity around 65–80% to support its moisture-loving growth.
• Airflow: Provide gentle air movement and let the foliage and centre dry promptly after accidental wetting.
• Temperature: Keep it consistently warm, ideally at 22–28°C, and protect it from prolonged temperatures below about 18°C.
• Substrate: Use a fine, organic mix that retains moisture yet contains plenty of air space. Coco fibre or peat with fine bark, pumice or perlite and a little mature compost is suitable.
• Feeding: Feed lightly with a complete fertiliser during active leaf and root production. Reduce the concentration when growth becomes static and resume with visible new activity.
• Repotting: Keep the container close to the small root system and the crown at its existing depth. Repot in warm conditions after roots have occupied the current pot.
• Propagation: Separate a rooted offset or corm with an active growth point. Newly divided plants appreciate steady warmth, high humidity, diffuse light and carefully controlled moisture.

When Alocasia infernalis ‘Black Magic’ looks unwell

• The leaves are almost blackDeep purple to near-black foliage is normal for this Alocasia. Healthy dark tissue remains firm and glossy. Sudden limpness, translucence or collapse after transport, contact with cold glass or a draught supports cold injury; move the plant to stable warmth and remove tissue only after the damaged boundary becomes clear.
• Dry, bleached patches develop on the exposed sideThis shade-adapted plant can scorch after a sudden increase in direct sun. Move it to filtered light and make future increases gradually. Existing bleached or crisp tissue will remain visible, so assess recovery by the condition of the next leaf and by the end of lesion expansion.
• Pale stippling appears across the dark bladesSmall feeding marks stand out clearly against the dark surface and often indicate spider mites. Inspect the lower surfaces, veins and petiole junctions with magnification. Isolate the plant, wash the leaves and use a product labelled for mites, repeating the application as directed to reach later-hatching stages.
• Dark tissue near the base becomes softColour is a weak guide on a naturally dark Alocasia; texture and progression are more useful. A soft, water-soaked base, unpleasant smell or wilt in persistently damp substrate warrants an immediate check of the roots and base. Remove collapsing tissue with clean tools and repot into fresh, open substrate if firm roots remain.

Alocasia infernalis ‘Black Magic’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

How the name Alocasia infernalis came about

Alocasia combines the Greek prefix a-, meaning “without” or “lacking”, with Colocasia, the name of a related aroid genus. Infernalis is Latin for “of the underworld” or “infernal”, a name inspired by the species’ exceptionally dark colouring.

The formal botanical citation is Alocasia (Schott) G.Don. George Don established the genus at that rank in 1839 in Hortus Britannicus, edition 3, page 631.

Peter Charles Boyce first described Alocasia infernalis in 2007 in Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore, volume 58, page 145.