bright indirect light (3-6 feet from a south or west window, or right next to an east window. Under a grow light, 6-10 inches away works well) with no direct hot sun. An east- or west-facing window works well. Direct midday sun causes leaf yellowing and curling. Like many Gesneriaceae members, it does well under fluorescent or grow lights.Light

Regular watering every 2-4 days during active growth, keeping soil consistently moist but not soggy. Use soft or filtered water -- hard water can damage the delicate roots. Reduce to approximately once a week in winter. Allow soil to become slightly dry between waterings.Water

Requires a minimum of 70% humidity. This is a firm requirement, not a preference. Place on a pebble tray with water, use a humidifier nearby, or grow in a terrarium or enclosed cabinet. Mist the air around the plant rather than the leaves directly.Humidity

Thrives in 65-85 degrees F (18-30 degrees C). Completely intolerant of cold -- do not expose to temperatures below 55 degrees F (13 degrees C). Cold is one of the fastest ways to damage this plant.Temperature

moderateDifficulty

Black Alloplectus

Nautilocalyx lynchii

Moderate

Nautilocalyx lynchii is an upright, fibrous-rooted tropical perennial with stout, succulent stems and some of the darkest foliage in the houseplant world -- the elliptic leaves have a bronze to blackish-red sheen that looks almost metallic in good light. It produces small, creamy yellow flowers with purplish hairs in axillary clusters along the stem in summer, though the foliage is honestly the main event. It is a rewarding gesneriad for those who can meet its humidity demands, and it is genuinely easier to grow than many of its more glamorous Gesneriaceae relatives.

Care Guide

How to grow Black Alloplectus

Light

bright indirect light (3-6 feet

Water

Regular watering every 2-4 days

Humidity

70%

Temperature

Thrives in 65-85 degrees F (18-30 degrees C).

Soil

Light, breathable, slightly acidic mix.

Propagation

Stem cuttings placed in a

Common Problems

Spider mites are the most common pest.

Did You Know

Fun Facts

Nautilocalyx lynchii was originally described by Joseph Hooker and published in the Botanical Magazine in 1892 under the name Alloplectus lynchii -- it has been through three genus names before settling in Nautilocalyx, reflecting how much Gesneriaceae taxonomy has shifted over the decades.

Pet Safety

Toxic to pets

No widespread reports of toxicity to humans or pets. Not listed as a toxic plant by major poison control sources.

Black Alloplectus

How to grow Black Alloplectus

Fun Facts

Toxic to pets

Sources

Your Cart