Alocasia 'Black Velvet' (Alocasia reginula)

Black velvet, silver thread. Alocasia Black Velvet (Alocasia reginula) keeps its leaves small, plush, and nearly black, each vein stitched in pale silver.

The little queen, as its name translates, rules from a shelf edge in a way floor plants never could: quietly, at eye level, in velvet.

Alocasia Black Velvet care

• Light: Moderate filtered light suits its forest floor roots.
• Water: Err dry: water lightly once the top half of the mix dries.
• Mix: Extra chunky and airy, its fine roots hate wet feet.
• Pets: Toxic if ingested, keep it on the high shelf.
• Growth: Deliberately slow, permanently compact.

Why is my Black Velvet not growing?

Reginula is slow by design, banking energy in its corm between short bursts of leaves. If the newest leaf is healthy, you are doing it right. Speed problems are usually just winter, or a mix holding too much water.