Scroll to explore forms of Alocasia reginula
Full Specimen Plate
Alocasia reginula
Black Velvet Alocasia
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Alocasia reginula Morphology
About Alocasia reginula
Alocasia reginula, almost always sold under its trade name 'Black Velvet', is one of the smallest and most distinctive jewel Alocasia species: a dwarf rosette of near-black, matte-velvety leaves with pale silvery-green venation. Its compact size, staying well under 30cm, makes it one of the more apartment-friendly jewel Alocasias, though it shares the group's demand for high humidity. The 'Pink Albo Variegata' form layers unstable pink and cream-white sectoring over this same near-black baseline, making it considerably more fragile and expensive than the plain species.
Native Range
Borneo
Market Analysis
Alocasia reginula Price Guide & Auction Value
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Before You Buy
Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing
- Check the corm/base is firm, not soft or foul-smelling
- Some seasonal leaf loss is normal. A bare corm with a visible growth point isn't necessarily dead
- For 'Pink Albo Variegata', confirm variegation percentage in photos; heavily sectored cuttings are more fragile
- Inspect leaf undersides for spider mite webbing before buying
Propagation Guide
How to Propagate Alocasia reginula
2-4 months
Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings
Slow to offset compared to larger jewel Alocasias. Divide only once a pup has its own independent root system.
Care Guide
Alocasia reginula Care Guide & Growing Conditions
Chunky, fast-draining aroid mix: 40% orchid bark, 30% perlite, 20% potting compost, 10% charcoal.
Allow the top 2-3cm of substrate to dry between waterings. Reduce significantly in winter dormancy.
65-85%. A humidity tent or cabinet is strongly recommended for consistent results.
Balanced liquid fertiliser at quarter strength every 3-4 weeks during active growth.
Every 12-18 months, using a shallow, wide pot suited to the dwarf clumping habit.
Common Problems
Sudden leaf loss / dormancy
Natural seasonal response, normal for jewel Alocasias
Reduce watering and wait for new growth in spring
Root/corm rot
Overwatering combined with dense substrate
Repot into fresh dry chunky mix and reduce watering
Spider mites
Low humidity, still air
Increase humidity and treat with insecticidal soap
The Smallest of the Jewel Alocasias
Reginula is almost never sold under its own species name: 'Black Velvet' is how nearly every listing describes it, and for good reason. The near-black, matte-velvety leaf with pale silvery-green veining is instantly recognisable within the jewel Alocasia group. What's less obvious is just how small it stays, well under 30cm even at maturity, making it one of the more apartment-friendly options in a genus known for demanding space. The 'Pink Albo Variegata' sport layers unstable pink and cream-white sectoring over this same near-black baseline, and unsurprisingly trades at a considerable premium given how much more fragile that variegation makes the plant.
Also in: Jewel Species
Small, dark-leafed species under roughly 30cm, grown for leaf colour and vein contrast rather than overall size.
