Alocasia reginula 'Black Velvet'

Where Alocasia reginula comes from

‘Black Velvet’ is a compact cultivar of Alocasia reginula. The species is generally associated with Borneo; a precise natural locality and habitat have not been documented.

Care for Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet’

• Watering: Water again after the small pot has lost some moisture, before it becomes completely dry. Water until excess runs from the drainage holes. Let the pot drain, then empty any water left in the saucer or cover pot.
• Light: Soft filtered window light suits ‘Black Velvet’; avoid long periods of hot direct sun.
• Potting mix: Use a loose, nutrient-rich mix that holds some moisture without becoming soggy.
• Feeding: Feed lightly according to the fertiliser label while it is actively growing. Do not add extra fertiliser simply to make this naturally slow plant grow faster.
• Repotting: Keep the pot close to the root ball and repot only when roots are filling or circling the pot or coming through the drainage holes.
• Temperature: Keep it around 18–29 °C and away from cold windows or draughts. Move it away from cooler spots before temperatures fall below 15 °C.
• Humidity: Alocasia does best with medium to high humidity. Keep it in a bright spot away from heaters and air-conditioning. If the air is dry, place it near other houseplants that like similar conditions, leaving space between the leaves, or use a clean humidifier.

Problems to watch for on Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet’

• The lower stem softens or the root ball smells sour. This usually means the roots or base of the plant have started to rot because the mix has stayed wet for too long. Take the plant out of its pot, inspect the roots and base and cut away any soft or rotten parts with a clean, disinfected blade, disinfecting it again between cuts. Discard the removed rotten material. Repot the firm, healthy part of the plant in fresh mix that drains freely. See our root rot guide for severe cases.
• Fine pale speckles appear on the dark leaves. Look closely beneath the foliage and around the veins for spider mites; fine webbing usually means there are already quite a few mites. Isolate the plant, clean both leaf surfaces and use a treatment labelled for spider mites on indoor ornamental plants, repeating it only at the interval stated on the label.
• Several leaves yellow and hang limp at once. Check the root ball before watering again. A heavy, wet pot points towards excess moisture and root stress, while a very light, dry pot suggests the plant has gone too long without water. Correct what you find rather than watering on a fixed schedule. Our yellow-leaf guide can help if the pattern is unclear.
• The plant stops growing even though it is warm and getting enough light. Make sure the base of the plant is firm and the roots are healthy. If they are, keep light, warmth and watering steady and allow the plant time to resume active growth instead of keeping the mix wetter or increasing fertiliser.

If you're not sure what is causing the problem, or the plant keeps getting worse after you have corrected the likely cause, send us clear photos of the plant and the affected areas so we can help.

Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet’: toxic if chewed

• Pets: This Alocasia is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep the plant and any cut pieces where pets cannot chew them.
• Children and handling: Keep it out of reach of children. Sap from damaged tissue can irritate skin and eyes, so wash your hands after pruning and avoid touching your face.
• Why it irritates: Alocasia tissue contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing or contact with sensitive tissue can cause immediate local irritation.
• Possible symptoms: Mouth exposure can cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, nausea or vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
• After exposure: For a pet, contact a veterinarian. For a person, remove any plant material from the mouth and rinse with water; seek medical or poison-control advice if symptoms are significant. Breathing difficulty or rapidly increasing swelling needs urgent medical attention.

What reginula means in ‘Black Velvet’

Reginula is a Latin diminutive of regina, “queen”, and means “little queen”. For Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet’, Alocasia reginula was described by Alistair Hay in 1998 in Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore, volume 50, page 258.

Scott Hyndman introduced ‘Black Velvet’ to the horticultural market by 1992 from a plant obtained through Lyon Arboretum in Hawaii.