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Alocasia Black Velvet
₹ 599.00
Regular price
₹ 999.00
Sale price
₹ 599.00
The Alocasia Black Velvet (Alocasia reginula — "Little Queen") is a jewel aroid from the rainforests of Borneo: compact, sculptural, and utterly distinctive. Its small, thick, near-black leaves are covered in the same dense velvety trichomes as a moth's wing, and across that dark surface run bold, contrasting silver-white veins in a precise, architectural pattern. The effect is of something hand-crafted rather than grown. It stays beautifully small — 30–45 cm — making it one of the finest collector's plants for limited spaces, shelves, and terrariums. Slow to produce new leaves, but each one is worth the wait.
💡 The Silver Veins Are Structural — Not Light-Dependent
Unlike variegated plants, the striking silver veining on Black Velvet is a structural feature of the leaf — it will not fade or intensify based on light levels. Clean leaves with a very soft damp cloth only. No rubbing, no leaf shine products.
Light
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Medium to bright indirect light. Tolerates lower light better than most aroids — a north or east-facing window works well. Avoid all direct sun which scorches the dark velvety leaves. The velvet surface absorbs light efficiently so this plant does not need to be right at the window.
Watering
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Allow the top 4–5 cm to dry before watering — Black Velvet is more drought-tolerant than most aroids and very sensitive to overwatering. Water thoroughly then empty the saucer immediately. Filtered or rainwater preferred. Reduce to once every 2–3 weeks in winter.
Humidity
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60–70% preferred. A humidifier nearby or a pebble tray works well. Mist in the morning only — water on the velvet surface overnight encourages fungal spotting. Excellent in a terrarium where humidity stays naturally high.
Growing Media
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Very well-draining aroid mix: 40% potting soil, 30% perlite, 20% orchid bark, 10% coco coir. pH 5.5–7.0. Given the compact root system, use a small pot — oversized pots hold excess moisture and encourage rot. Repot only when roots visibly emerge from drainage holes.
Feeding
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Light feeder — balanced liquid fertilizer at quarter to half strength every 4–6 weeks in spring and summer only. Apply to moist soil. Flush every 3 months to prevent salt build-up. Do not feed in winter.
🌱 Corms — Don't Throw These Away
Small bulb-like corms at the soil base are baby plants. Leave them to grow or separate and pot individually once 1–2 cm wide. Each grows into a new Black Velvet plant.
🍂 Winter Dormancy — Leaf Drop Is Normal
Below 18°C the plant may drop its leaves completely. The rhizome stays alive — reduce watering to minimal, stop feeding, keep warm. New shoots emerge in spring. Do not discard the pot.
⚠️ Common Issues & Quick Fixes
Yellow Leaves
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Almost always overwatering. Let the top 4–5 cm dry and check drainage. One old leaf yellowing as a new one emerges is normal. Widespread yellowing with soggy soil means root rot — unpot, trim black roots, repot in fresh dry mix.
Drooping Leaves
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Check soil — if dry, water immediately. If moist, look for cold drafts or root rot. Newly repotted plants droop for 1–2 weeks; resolves on its own with warmth.
Fungal Spots on Leaves
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Water sitting on the velvet surface overnight. Mist morning only, improve airflow, treat with diluted neem oil. Remove badly affected leaves.
Spider Mites or Mealybugs
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Wipe with a soft damp cloth then spray with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5–7 days for 3 weeks. High humidity deters spider mites naturally.
Very Slow or No Growth
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Black Velvet is naturally slow — 1–2 new leaves per month in ideal conditions is normal. In winter, growth may pause entirely. Ensure bright indirect light and consistent warmth above 18°C to encourage active growth.
📋 Quick Plant Profile
| Botanical Name | Alocasia reginula A.Hay |
| Common Names | Black Velvet Alocasia, Little Queen Alocasia, Jewel Alocasia |
| Family | Araceae |
| Origin | Borneo; tropical rainforest |
| Signature Feature | Near-black velvety leaves with bold silver-white structural veins |
| Light | Medium to bright indirect; tolerates lower light; no direct sun |
| Watering | Top 4–5 cm dry between waterings; filtered water preferred |
| Humidity | 60–70%; morning misting only; terrarium-friendly |
| Temperature | 18°C–30°C; cold-sensitive below 15°C |
| Mature Height | 30–45 cm — a true compact jewel aroid |
| Growth Rate | Slow; 1–2 leaves per month in ideal conditions |
| Corms | Baby plants at soil base — do not discard |
| Dormancy | May drop leaves below 18°C; re-emerges in spring |
| Leaf Care | Soft damp cloth only; no leaf shine products |
| Ideal For | Shelves, Terrariums, Collectors, Small Spaces |
| Care Level | Intermediate — watering restraint is the key |