Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet Gold’

Background of Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet Gold’

‘Black Velvet Gold’ is cultivated within Alocasia reginula, a species associated with Borneo. The precise wild locality of Alocasia reginula remains undocumented.

Care for Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet Gold’

• Watering: Allow the mix to begin drying between waterings, but water again before the roots become 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: Filtered daylight keeps ‘Black Velvet Gold’ well lit without exposing the leaves to sustained intense sun.
• Potting mix: Choose a loose mix that holds some moisture while draining well.
• 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.

Troubleshooting Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet Gold’

• Gold or pale sections develop tan, papery patches. The paler parts of the leaf can brown first if the plant gets direct sun or dries out too much. Move the plant out of harsh light, return to steadier watering and let the mix dry slightly before watering again. See our variegated houseplant guide for more help.
• The plant becomes loose in the pot and the stem base feels soft. A sour smell or dark, mushy roots points to rot in the roots or base of the plant. Unpot the plant and cut away all soft or rotten parts with a clean, disinfected blade, disinfecting it again between cuts. Discard the removed rotten material. Repot only the firm, healthy part of the plant in fresh, freely draining mix. Follow our root rot guide if decay has reached the base of the plant.
• Pinprick pale marks spread across the leaves or fine webbing appears. Check the undersides and leaf bases for spider mites. Isolate the plant, clean the foliage thoroughly and use a treatment labelled for spider mites on indoor ornamental plants, repeating it only at the interval stated on the label.
• Each new leaf comes out noticeably smaller than the last. Check the roots first and make sure the potting mix is not staying wet for long periods. If the roots are firm and healthy, give the plant brighter indirect light and feed lightly again while the plant is actively growing rather than trying to stimulate growth with extra water.

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 Gold’: 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.

The meaning of reginula in ‘Black Velvet Gold’

Reginula means “little queen”, formed as a diminutive of the Latin regina, “queen”.

The species name in Alocasia reginula ‘Black Velvet Gold’, Alocasia reginula, was described by Alistair Hay in 1998 in Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore, volume 50, page 258.