Low-Light Conditions Aren't A Problem For This Stunning Houseplant

If a room in your house doesn't receive a lot of light throughout the day, you may have crossed it off your list of viable places to put a houseplant. Get out your pen and put that room back on the list, because it might just be perfect for the beautiful Alocasia reginula, or black velvet Alocasia. As the name implies, this species of Alocasia has black or dark green leaves that are velvety to the touch, giving the plant an air of elegance. This species is considered one of the "jewel" Alocasias, due to the rich color of its leaves, which includes the dark green topside and the purple underside.

The black velvet Alocasia is a shy plant, preferring indirect light. Since the leaves can burn when exposed to bright, direct sunlight, it's best to place your plant in a dimmer location in your home like that dark room. As one of the plants you should never keep on a shelf by a sunny window, black velvet Alocasia is unique in its needs, but you might just have found the perfect place for it.

Native to Borneo and other parts of Southeast Asia, the black velvet Alocasia is a rare tropical plant that is not normally grown from seed, as it doesn't produce many. Whether you've purchased a young plant or obtained a division of a mature plant, its best to propagate and pot the plant in the spring or early summer, as this is its active growth period. Black velvet Alocasia enjoys a well-draining potting mix that is slightly acidic, preferring a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Don't be tempted to add coco coir or sphagnum moss in with your soil, as these absorbent materials might cause the plant's roots to rot.

When you first introduce the black velvet Alocasia to your home, you might see it lose a few leaves, but don't be alarmed. To make room for new growth, the plant sheds older leaves. If you notice a brown leaf, trim it away to help encourage a new leaf to emerge. Keeping your beautiful house plants healthy may seem difficult, but when it comes to tropical plants, the key is proper humidity. While you shouldn't spritz your black velvet Alocasia with water, you can place it near a humidifier to ensure it stays happy.

Despite its regal appearance, the black velvet Alocasia is not a picky plant and is relatively low maintenance. In nature, the plant grows on jungle floors, so it prefers only the suggestion of sunlight, thriving in locations with indirect light. During wintertime, make sure the plant stays warm, as it will die if exposed to temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Overwatering is the greatest danger to your stunning houseplant. Have a light hand when watering and make sure the first one to two inches of soil are dry before you water again. If your plant has been overwatered, the first sign is yellowing leaves, so keep an eye out for these. Since the black velvet Alocasia is a beautiful and rare plant, you might want to fret over it, especially if you don't have a green thumb, but it shouldn't require much care beyond watering and perhaps a little fertilization in the spring.