Araceae
Black Magic Alocasia (Alocasia infernalis)
Alocasia infernalis
A compact, slow-growing alocasia for bright indirect light, warmth and high humidity. Water when the top few centimetres dry out, cut back in winter, and keep it above 15 C. Ideal for a terrarium or a warm, humid room.
Every 7 days
Partial shade
15° - 28°C
60% - 80%
Categories
What is Black Magic Alocasia?
Black Magic Alocasia (Alocasia infernalis) is a medium-care plant from the Araceae family. Alocasia infernalis is a small jewel alocasia from Sarawak, in Malaysian Borneo, known in the wild only from the Kapit Division, where it grows on the floor of wet lowland valley forests, in clay loam under deep leaf litter and heavy shade. It reaches about 55 cm, with a slender stem and arrow-shape...
Black Magic Alocasia grows up to 55cm, watering every 7 days, 15°C – 28°C, 60–80% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 14 days.
How to Care for Black Magic Alocasia?
TLDR: Black Magic Alocasia needs Partial shade, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 15-28°C with 60-80% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Black Magic Alocasia?
From spring to autumn, water when the top 3-5 cm of mix is dry, then let the excess drain away. In winter the plant slows down: water only enough to keep the roots from drying out completely. Soggy soil, especially in winter, rots the roots.
How Much Light Does Black Magic Alocasia Need?
Bright but indirect light, such as near an east window or a few steps from a sunny one. Direct sun scorches the dark leaves. In low light it survives but grows very little.
What Is the Best Soil for Black Magic Alocasia?
Light, airy, well-draining mix, for example houseplant compost or peat with plenty of perlite or grit (about three parts mix to one part grit). Avoid heavy soil that stays wet.
What Pot Should You Use for Black Magic Alocasia?
A small pot with drainage holes, only slightly larger than the root ball; plastic holds moisture longer, terracotta suits growers who overwater. Repot about every two years.
Care Schedule
Rotate
Every 7 days
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is Black Magic Alocasia and Where Does It Come From?
Alocasia infernalis is a small jewel alocasia from Sarawak, in Malaysian Borneo, known in the wild only from the Kapit Division, where it grows on the floor of wet lowland valley forests, in clay loam under deep leaf litter and heavy shade. It reaches about 55 cm, with a slender stem and arrow-shaped leaves held on petioles of about 20 cm. Young plants have metallic purple leaves; adult leaves turn a glossy purple-black that flashes red in some light. Its flowers are small, pale green or tinged purple, followed by orange-red berries. It was described only in 2007 and reaches the trade through licensed tissue culture.
How to Propagate Black Magic Alocasia?
Offsets
Offsets are easiest to separate when repotting in spring. Small corms found in the root ball can also be started in damp moss in a closed container.
- 1 Wait for small offsets to form around the base of the mother plant
- 2 Cut them free with a clean knife, keeping as much root as possible
- 3 Pot each one in a small pot of gritty, well-draining mix
- 4 Keep warm, humid and in bright indirect light until new leaves appear
Materials needed:
Rhizome division
Wear gloves: the sap irritates skin.
- 1 In late spring, remove the plant from its pot
- 2 Cut the fleshy rhizome into pieces, each with a growth point and roots
- 3 Let the cuts dry for a few hours
- 4 Pot the pieces and keep them warm and bright
Materials needed:
How Big Does Black Magic Alocasia Grow?
TLDR: Black Magic Alocasia can reach up to 55cm tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
55cm
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Black Magic Alocasia?
TLDR: Black Magic Alocasia is susceptible to 6 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Overwatering
Overwatering occurs when plants receive too much water, depriving roots of oxygen and causing root rot. This environmental stress is one of the most common causes of houseplant death, as waterlogged soil prevents roots from breathing and functioning properly.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.
Low Humidity Stress
Low humidity stress occurs when indoor air becomes too dry, causing plants to lose moisture faster than they can absorb it through their roots. This is especially common during winter heating periods, near radiators and heating vents, or in air-conditioned spaces. Tropical plants are particularly susceptible to low humidity damage.
Fun Facts
The name infernalis was inspired by the vampire squid, Vampyroteuthis infernalis, because of the red glow on its dark leaves.
It was only described by science in 2007, from plants collected near the Rejang River in Sarawak.
Plants in the trade come from a licensed tissue culture programme, which helps protect the wild populations.
Frequently asked questions
How much humidity does Alocasia infernalis need?
Is the Black Magic alocasia toxic to pets?
Why is my Alocasia infernalis losing leaves in winter?
How big does it get?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Fieldcap | Medium | Low light | 2d | ⚠️ |
| Azalea | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ⚠️ |
| Muriel's Bamboo | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | ✓ |
| Bougainvillea | Medium | Direct sun | 7d | ⚠️ |
