Alocasia Black Velvet Variegated

Meet the velvet jewel that's had a little stardust spilled on it. This variegated Alocasia Black Velvet takes the deep, near-black velvety leaves and silver veins collectors already love and adds splashes of cream and blush variegation, so no two leaves look the same.

Black Velvet is a cultivar of Alocasia reginula, one of the compact "jewel" alocasias from the rainforest floor of Borneo. It stays small and tidy, making it a good fit for shelves and plant cabinets. Variegation is naturally unstable, so each new leaf can show more or less of it. Variegated plants also grow more slowly than all-green ones because they have less chlorophyll to work with. Give it patience and each new leaf is a small reveal.

Care snapshot

• Light: Bright, indirect light. Keep it out of direct sun, because the pale variegated sections scorch easily.
• Water: Water when the top inch or so of soil has dried. Use a chunky, airy aroid mix and never let it sit wet. It may slow down or drop a leaf in winter, which is normal.
• Difficulty: Advanced. Its roots are sensitive and it likes steady conditions, so it suits growers who enjoy dialing in care.
• Pet-safety: Toxic to cats, dogs, and people if eaten. Keep it out of reach of curious pets and kids.

What you'll receive

Every variegated plant is one of a kind, so the variegation pattern on your Black Velvet will differ from the photo. That's part of the charm: you get a plant nobody else has.

Why you'll love it

Small enough for any shelf and dramatic enough to be the centrepiece of a collection, a variegated Black Velvet is a plant you'll keep turning around to admire. If you've been waiting for one, we'd love to send this one home with you.