Alocasia 'Frydek' (Velvet elephant ear) — H60 cm | Pot Ø19 cm
- Regular price
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€51,95 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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€51,95
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Alocasia Frydek and Alocasia Polly? The Frydek has larger, velvety, matte leaves, while the more compact Polly has glossy leaves with silvery veins.
How tall does Alocasia Frydek grow? Indoors, it reaches up to 90 cm tall, with leaves 30 to 50 cm long on upright stems.
Shipping & packaging
Shipped within 24/48 hours via DPD
- Delivery in 2 to 5 working days
- Eco-friendly packaging: recyclable boxes and biodegradable materials
- Special protection so your plant arrives in perfect condition
- Tracking link sent by email as soon as your parcel ships
- Shipping costs and the free-shipping threshold depend on your country — see our delivery page
ZEN ARRIVAL GUARANTEE
We guarantee that your plants will arrive in perfect condition. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition:
- Contact us promptly at hello@verdeia.eu with photos
- We will find the right solution for your situation
- No return needed — we trust you
The guarantee covers: damage in transit, plants severely weakened on arrival, and order preparation errors.
CARE TIPS ON ARRIVAL
To help your plant settle in for the long term:
- Unpack your plant immediately and inspect it
- Let it acclimatize for 24-48h in a bright spot out of direct sunlight
- Check the soil moisture before watering (dry surface = light watering)
- Wait 2-3 weeks before repotting, if needed
- Keep it away from heat sources and drafts
- Gently wipe the leaves to remove dust
Need help? Contact our team at hello@verdeia.eu or via chat.
🌿 Deep green arrow-shaped leaves with a velvety feel • 🤍 Striking white veins • ☀️ Bright indirect light • 💧 Regular watering • 🌡️ Stable 18-27 °C • 📏 H60 cm | Pot Ø19 cm
Alocasia 'Frydek', also called Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek' or velvet elephant ear, unfurls large arrow-shaped leaves of an almost black green, with a surface as velvety as fabric, crossed by white veins that draw a crisp pattern. The species is native to the rainforests of the Philippines, where it grows in the shade of tall trees, and ranks among the tropical plants with the most graphic foliage.
Delivered at 60 cm tall in a 19 cm pot, it already carries several leaves 30 to 40 cm long on upright stems. The contrast between the dark green and the pale veins can be seen from afar, and the texture of the leaf blade absorbs light instead of reflecting it, giving the foliage a very distinctive matte look.
Which Alocasia to choose?
The Alocasia genus comes in very different foliage types — here are the closest profiles to place the Frydek:
- Alocasia 'Frydek' (this plant) — velvety deep green arrow-shaped leaves, striking white veins, H60 cm | Pot Ø19 cm. The choice for dark, contrasting foliage with a unique feel.
- Alocasia Polly — glossy dark green leaves with silvery veins, compact habit. The choice for the same contrast in a smaller size.
- Alocasia zebrina — yellow-green and black-purple zebra-striped stems, dark green arrow-shaped leaves. The choice for stems as decorative as the leaves.
Exposure & location
The Frydek needs plenty of light, but filtered: that is what keeps its leaves deep green and its veins bright white. Direct sun marks the velvet with pale spots, while a room that is too dark slows the emergence of new leaves.
- Exposure: bright indirect light, 1 to 2 metres from an east- or west-facing window, or behind a sheer curtain facing south.
- Location: living room, office, bedroom — a stable spot, away from front doors and radiators.
- Temperature: 18 to 27 °C, never below 15 °C, with no draughts.
- Soil type: light and well-draining — houseplant potting mix lightened with perlite or fine bark.
In winter, it is normal for it to slow down and lose an old leaf from time to time: it starts growing again as soon as the days get longer.
Watering & maintenance
The root ball should stay slightly moist, never soggy: let the top 2 to 3 centimetres of potting mix dry out between waterings. Overwatering is the most common cause of yellowing leaves in Alocasia.
- Frequency: about once a week in spring and summer, every 10 to 15 days in winter.
- Drainage: a pot with drainage holes is essential, and never any standing water at the bottom of the decorative pot.
- Humidity: 60% or more — set it on a tray of damp clay pebbles or near other tropical plants.
- Fertilizer: diluted liquid fertilizer for green plants, once a month from April to September.
- Cleaning: dust the leaves with a soft brush or a dry cloth — water leaves marks on the velvet.
- Repotting: every 2 years in spring, into a pot only slightly larger.
Avoid misting the leaves directly: on the velvety surface, droplets stay in place and end up leaving marks.
Decor ideas & plant pairings
Its dark, graphic foliage becomes the focal point of a green corner, and it naturally finds its place in a tropical atmosphere built around a few bold plants.
- To soften its graphic look, place a Nephrolepis 'Green Lady' at its feet — the fern's light, pale green fronds contrast with the large dark matte leaves, and both enjoy humid air.
- For an all-velvet duo, pair it with Calathea warscewiczii — its velvety dark green leaves with purple undersides share the same matte texture, with a wider, lower habit.
- On a low cabinet or a plant stand, at eye level, it reveals the relief of its veins and the texture of the velvet, which are lost when the plant stands on the floor.
- To bring out the veins, slip the pot into an Elho Brussels anthracite decorative pot in Ø25 cm — the matte grey extends the dark green of the foliage and leaves the white of the veins as the only contrast.
Lit from the side by a lamp in the evening, the velvety surface takes on an almost silvery grey look that completely changes how the plant reads.
Verdeia tips
- Keep it warm and away from draughts: a sudden drop in temperature or an open window in winter is enough to turn a leaf yellow within a few days.
- Turn the pot a quarter turn every two weeks: the leaves orient themselves towards the light, and regular rotation keeps a balanced silhouette.
- Cut old leaves at the base: when an old leaf turns completely yellow, cut its stem flush with the base to focus energy on new growth, as explained in our Alocasia guide.
Technical characteristics
- Botanical name: Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek'
- Common name: Velvet elephant ear, Alocasia 'Green Velvet'
- Family: Araceae
- Origin: Philippines
- Dimensions on delivery: H60 cm | Pot Ø19 cm
- Adult height: up to 90 cm indoors
- Exposure: bright indirect light
- Watering: regular, let 2-3 cm of surface dry between waterings
- Soil type: light, well-draining, rich in organic matter
- Temperature: 18 to 27 °C, minimum 15 °C
- Humidity: 60% or more
- Foliage: evergreen, arrow-shaped, velvety deep green with white veins
- Growth: medium, upright habit
- Care: moderate
- Toxicity: toxic to pets and children if ingested, irritating sap
- Decorative style: Urban jungle / Graphic / Contemporary tropical
Each plant is unique: the photos show a representative example. The number of leaves and the contrast of the veins naturally vary depending on the light and season.
Your plant, delivered with care
Every plant is hand-packed in a box specially designed for plants — secured, protected, ready to travel. It arrives in perfect condition, roots intact and foliage preserved, ready to take its place in your home.
Our Verdeia commitments
FAQ – Everything to know before adopting your Verdeia plant
How are my plants prepared before shipping?
All our plants are selected from our European partner nurseries. Before shipping, they are watered, cleaned, and protected with breathable, secure packaging. Each package is designed to ensure your plant arrives in perfect health, without any transport-related stress.
Will the plant look exactly like the photo?
The photos accurately represent the variety and the stated size. Since each plant is unique, slight differences in shape, foliage, or color may occur — and that’s part of their charm.
What are the delivery times and conditions?
Orders ship within 48 working hours, with tracked delivery in 2 to 5 working days via DPD. Shipping costs and the free-shipping threshold depend on your country — see our delivery page. You receive a tracking link as soon as your parcel leaves.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
Open your package as soon as you receive it and carefully remove the plant from its packaging. Let it acclimate for 24 hours in its new environment before watering. If it has been slightly stressed during transport, it will recover its shape after one or two days in the light.
What should I do if my plant arrives damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours with a photo of the issue. Our team will assess the situation and offer you the best solution: replacement, partial refund, or recovery advice.
Can I return a plant?
Since plants are living beings, standard returns are not possible. However, we guarantee good health upon delivery: if the plant arrives damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. For any other cases (order error, decorative pot, accessory), returns are possible within 14 days.