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Black Velvet Alocasia are known for their velvety foliage and textured leaves.
This plant has a few specific care needs to know in order to keep your plant thriving and happy in your home.
- Water. Make sure to water your plant with distilled or reverse osmosis water since these plants are sensitive to the salts and minerals in tap water. Water your plant when the soil is dry to the touch.
- Light. Keep your plant in a spot getting bright indirect sunlight. This may be near a south, east, or west facing window or under plant grow lights.
- Fertilizer. Feed your plant with a natural or synthetic fertilizer during the active growing months from March through October.
- Humidity. Alocasias thrive in high humidity and would do best in a spot getting 60%+ humidity.
Black Velvet Alocasia thrive in the home with these plant care tips.
Photo by Severin Candrian on Unsplash
Light
Alocasia Black Velvet thrive in bright indirect sunlight. Think of an area getting indirect sunlight, but never direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can scorch the delicate leaves of this plant.
A good spot for this plant would be near a south, east, or west facing window. If placing this plant near a window, make sure the window has a sheer curtain as you do not want to burn the foliage of this plant.
This plant can also be placed under plant grow lights as long as the plant grow lights aren’t too strong. I use T5 Barrina grow lights and they don’t burn any of my plants even though the plants are just a few inches away from the lights.
Water
It’s important to water any Alocasia with distilled water or reverse osmosis water.
These plants do not like the salts, minerals, and chlorine from tap water. I feed my plants with the water from our reverse osmosis system which was under $200 on Amazon. You can also leave out tap water overnight and the water will be ready to use in the morning.
Give your plant water when the top two inches of soil are dry. This plant doesn’t like to fully dry out so make sure to keep a close eye on the moisture level. Check the plants soil moisture by using your index finger or a moisture meter.
Place your index finger about two inches deep to check the soils moisture level. You can do the same thing with a moisture meter.
Soil
Alocasia Black Velvet need well-draining soil in order to keep the plant thriving.
Since this plant likes to stay on the moist side, well-draining soil keeps good oxygen flow going through the roots. A simple soil recipe is 50% coco coir, 25% perlite, and 25% worm castings.
If you don’t want to make your own houseplant mixture, use a pre-made mixture like Fox Farm Ocean Forest that is made with a blend of earthworm castings, bat guano, sea-going fish & crab meal, forest humus, moss & more.
Temperature
Black Velvet Alocasia do well in any home that is between the temperatures of 60 degrees F to 90 degrees (15 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius).
Fertilizer
Alocasia’s need fertilizer to get the necessary nutrients to thrive in your home.
There are many types of fertilizer available and these include natural and synthetic fertilizer. If using a synthetic fertilizer, it’s important to dilute the recipe in half as synthetic fertilizers are often too strong and can hurt your plants.
I fertilizer all of my plants with a mixture of Liqui-Dirt and Dyna Gro. Every time I water my plants, they get a mixture of my favorite plant food and fertilizer. You can also use slow-release granule fertilizer which you sprinkle on top of your plants soil.
Fertilize during the active growing season which is typically March through October.
Humidity
Alocasia Black Velvet need higher humidity to keep the beautiful velvety leaves healthy.
Humidity levels above 60%+ are ideal. If you don’t know what the humidity is in your home, get a hygrometer which can check the humidity wherever you place the plant.
To increase the humidity around your plant, I recommend doing the following.
- Place plants together so they create a microclimate of higher humidity
- Place your plant on a pebble tray with water so the water evaporates around your plant
- Place your plant next to a humidifier so it gets the added humidity from the machine
- Place your plant in a terrarium or greenhouse for consistent all day high humidity
Propagation
Alocasia Black Velvet have a different propagation process than most plants.
To propagate this plant, you have to divide the growth into separate plants. Then you can replant the separate plants into your preferred substrate.
Many people put this plant in well-draining soil and even choose to grow the plant in leca.
Black Velvet Alocasia Common Questions
Is Black Velvet Alocasia rare?
Black Velvet Alocasia are not rare plants and you can find them at any big box store.
How much is a Black Velvet Alocasia?
A Black Velvet Alocasia is roughly $15 for a 4-6 inch pot.
How do you care for Black Velvet Alocasia?
To properly care for a Black Velvet Alocasia, you need to place the plant in high humidity of at least 60%+ with bright indirect sunlight. Make sure to always water your plant with distilled water or reverse osmosis water.
If the water where you live is high quality and not like the water where I live, you’re probably fine and don’t need to worry about giving your plant RO or distilled water.
Is Black Velvet Alocasia hard to care for?
Black Velvet Alocasia aren’t hard to care for as long as you know to give them at least 60%+ humidity. For many people the plant needs distilled or reverse osmosis water to keep the foliage healthy and happy.
Photo by Severin Candrian on Unsplash
Is Alocasia Black Velvet an indoor plant?
Alocasia Black Velvet is definitely an indoor plant as it prefers very high humidity and bright indirect sunlight.
You can mist your Alocasia Black Velvet, but your time is better spent by adding consistent humidity with a humidifier or placing the plant under a dome for added moisture.
Is Black Velvet Alocasia a fast grower?
Black Velvet Alocasia is a slow grower. This is why it’s best to give the plant the habitat it desires so the plant can grow at a normal rate.
How big do Black Velvet Alocasia get?
Alocasia Black Velvet can get up to two feet high if given proper growing conditions.
Photo by Severin Candrian on Unsplash
How do you propagate Black Velvet Alocasia?
To propagate Alocasia Black Velvet, divide the plant into separate plants and plant the new divisions into new pots.
Can I water my plant using tap water?
I do not use tap water on my houseplants because our tap water is filled with minerals that hurt our houseplants. We instead use a reverse osmosis system and water our houseplants using that system.You can also let tap water sit out for 12 hours before using it.
Depending on where you live, your tap water may be just fine.
Is Black Velvet Alocasia toxic to pets?
Yes, this plant is toxic to pets. You can get more information on toxic and pet-friendly plants at ASPCA here.
Common pests
Black Velvet Alocasia are prone to spidermites and pests like mealybugs, scale, and aphids.
To help prevent any pest infestations on your Black Velvet Alocasia, here are some things you can do.
- Inspect your plant before purchasing. If you’re buying a plant online, inspect your plant away from your other plants.
- Quarantine your new plant for two weeks and keep away from other plants.
- When bringing a plant home, treat it with natural like Azamax or a synthetic pest preventative.
- Regularly check your plants for pests. This is also a great time to clean your plants with a mixture of soap and water.
- Cut off dead or rotted leaves.
If you ever find pests on your Black Velvet Alocasia, quarantine the plant away from your other houseplants. Remember that not all pests are bad pests and some pests may even be beneficial for your plant.
You can spray neem oil to get rid of pests or you can use rubbing alcohol to wipe away mealybugs. Use a cotton swop dipped in rubbing alcohol and wipe away bugs and larvae. Make sure to check all of your other plants as it is easy for pests to spread.
Another popular option is Bonide Systemic Granules. Sprinkle the granules on top of your plants soil and let it do its magic.
Common issues
Brown tips: If your Black Velvet Alocasia has browning tips, this may mean you’re overwatering your plant. Make sure to only water your plant when the soil is dry to the touch.
Yellowing leaves: If your Black Velvet Alocasia has yellowing leaves, this can be a sign of root rot. Check your plants roots by delicately removing the plant from the pot and removing soil.
Key Points To Remember
Alocasia Black Velvet are easy to care for as long as you give the plant high humidity, clean distilled or RO water, and a spot getting bright indirect sunlight.
This is a plant known for pest pressures so it’s crucial to use pest preventives on this plant.
Read more about houseplants:
- How To Get Free Or Cheap Houseplants
- 15 Creative Ways To Display Houseplants
- How To Build A Self-Sustaining Terrarium
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