1. Getting started with your Black Velvet
Where to place your Black Velvet
Place it somewhere bright but never under direct sunlight
If your plant is casting a sharp & defined shadow, the light is too hard. We're looking for a shadow that's soft and blurred. Harsh sunlight can fade away its colour and scorch its foliage
Potting your Black Velvet
Leave it in its nursery pot
Your plant is comfy in its nursery pot. It's best to let it acclimate to the lighting, temperature, and humidity in its new home for at least 2 weeks before repotting it
Pro tip: if you purchased a planter with your plant, you can simply place the nursery pot in that planter
2. Continually caring for your Black Velvet
Watering your Black Velvet
Water when the top of the soil feels dry
Black Velvets love moist soil but it is vital to ensure the soil isn't soggy. To check, simply touch the soil with your fingertip. If the surface of the soil feels:
1) Dry: your plant needs a watering
2) Damp/wet: your plant doesn't need a watering
Rule of thumb: expect to water your plant about once a week, and more often with more light. Having said that, soil moisture should be your primary indicator for when you should water your plant, as the time may vary.
When watering, gently pour until liquid flows through the drainage hole at the bottom and discard any excess water. Remember, never use cold water as this will shock your plant's roots
Finding your Black Velvet's favourite temperature
Like most houseplants, Black Velvets are happiest between 18°C-30°C
Repotting your Black Velvet
Black Velvets won't need to be repotted more than once every 2-3 years
When it's time, use a high-quality potting mix and transfer your Black Velvet into a pot that's a about 1-2 inches in diameters larger than its current one
Cleaning/pruning your Black Velvet
Like most plants, your Black Velvet's leaves will collect dust overtime. When you see this, gently wipe off each leaf top with a damp rag to reveal a healthy shine. This will help your plant soak in more light and breathe through the little pores on its leaves (stomata)
Some common problems with Black Velvets
1. Brown edges
Usually caused by a dry environment; if you plant is next to an AC vent, try moving it away.
2. Brown leaf tips
Usually caused by either:
a) Underwatering; check your plant's soil; if its dry, then it's time for a drink!
b) Too much fertilizer;if you think this is it, at the next watering, give your Black Velvet a good shower to rinse out as much fertilizer as possible, or, better yet, repot it using fresh high-quality potting soil.
3. Leaves turning yellow
Usually caused by overwatering; allow the soil time to dry out sufficiently, then slowly rewater, following the watering guide above
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