Royal Velvet Plant Plant Care

Royal Velvet Plant (Quivisianthe papinae) belongs to the Meliaceae family within the Quivisianthe genus. Royal Velvet Plant is native to Madagascar. Royal Velvet Plant is also known as Purple Heart Plant.

Royal Velvet Plant displays a tall tree, spreading canopy growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Royal Velvet Plant produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Royal Velvet Plant every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Royal Velvet Plant thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Quivisianthe papinae tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Royal Velvet Plant prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Royal Velvet Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Royal Velvet Plant every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Royal Velvet Plant is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Royal Velvet Plant can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Royal Velvet Plant while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Royal Velvet Plant is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Royal Velvet Plant can be propagated through seeds, air layering.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Royal Velvet Plant is susceptible to scale insects, spider mites, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Royal Velvet Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Royal Velvet Plant is native to Madagascar. In cooler regions, grow Royal Velvet Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.