The key to developing a lush, healthy plant is providing the proper care. Because it is a tropical plant, the Alocasia Black Velvet care requires growing conditions similar to its native Southeast Asia to thrive.
The sunlight that wild Alocasia are exposed to is strong sunlight, but little of it actually reaches the forest floor.
The reason that Alocasia Black Velvet is suited to indirect light is that the direct sun will burn its delicate leaves. Signs of too much direct light and burned leaves in an Alocasia Black Velvet plant include dying leaves and leaves that are browning.
Alocasia Black Velvet plants do best in a humid environment. So it’s a good idea to plan on watering your Black Velvet plant with high levels of humidity when 25-50% of the soil’s volume is dry.
It’s best to water Alocasia Black Velvet plants from the bottom, especially if the plant is well-established. If a potted Alocasia becomes root-bound, this can cause water from the top of the pot to run down the sides of the planter rather than soaking into the soil.
Alocasia Black Velvet plants do best with soil that imitates the conditions of its native soil: coarse, well-draining, and rich.
Alocasia Black Velvet plants do well in a relatively wide range of temperatures. These plants thrive at suitable temperatures from 55 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. They do best at the higher end of this suitable range, with plants thriving at 70 to 80 degrees.
Along with good soil and adequate temperatures, Alocasia Black Velvet does better in high humidity.
Alocasia reginula plants can be purchased as juvenile plants (called “pups”) or adult plants. However, if you want to propagate Alocasia Black Velvet plants, you also have the option of growing them from a bulb.