African mask plant.

De un vistazo

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Tropical perennial

Light

Bright indirect light

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 5 to 10 days

Mature size

60 to 90 cm

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Rarely indoors in summer

Cuidados

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal overwatering or poor drainage. High humidity is essential, so consider using a pebble tray or humidifier nearby.

Watering

Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.

Pruning

Remove yellow or damaged leaves at the base of the stem to maintain plant health.

Repotting

Repot only when the plant becomes rootbound in its current container.

Soil

Well draining peat based mix

Soil pH

5.5 to 6.5

Temperature

15 to 27°C

Humidity

60 to 80%

Drought tolerance

low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years with good care.

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Seguridad

People

All parts of the plant are toxic to humans and pets due to insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.

Pets

This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested due to calcium oxalate crystals.

Children

Keep this plant out of reach of small children as chewing on the leaves causes immediate oral pain and swelling.

Contact allergens

The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

There are no notable airborne respiratory allergens associated with this plant.

Edibility

This plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which cause intense burning and swelling if ingested.

Cómo identificarla

• Deep green arrow shaped leaves
• Prominent silvery white leaf veins
• Wavy or scalloped leaf edges
• Dark purple undersides on leaves

Height

0.45 to 0.9m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

dark green, white, purple, evergreen

Flowers

green, white, 5 to 10cm

Problemas frecuentes

• Spider mites — These tiny pests thrive in dry indoor air and cause stippling on the leaves.
• Root rot — Overwatering or poor drainage leads to fungal decay of the root system.
• Leaf spot — Bacterial or fungal infections often appear as dark, water soaked spots on the foliage.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagation

division

When to plant

spring, summer

Overwintering

Keep the plant in a warm spot away from cold drafts. Reduce water slightly during the winter months as growth slows down.

In containers

It grows well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is not excessively large.

Group plants with similar moisture needs together to create a humid zone in your home.

Buenas compañeras

• Peace Lily — They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
• Ferns — Ferns help create a humid microclimate that benefits the Alocasia.

Mantenla lejos de

• Succulents — Succulents require much drier soil and higher light levels than this plant.

Especies parecidas

• Alocasia polly — This is a more compact version of the original hybrid.
• Elephant Ear — They share a similar dramatic, large leaf aesthetic.

Ciencia

Family

Araceae

Genus

Alocasia

Order

Alismatales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

This is a man made hybrid, not a wild species.

Conservation

This is a cultivated hybrid and is not of conservation concern in the wild.

As a tropical hybrid, it thrives in warm, humid environments that mimic a rainforest floor.

Uses

Indoor ornamental, Statement houseplant

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Why are the leaf tips turning brown?

This is usually a sign of low humidity or inconsistent watering.

How much light does it need?

It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its dark leaf color.

De dónde viene el nombre

The name Alocasia comes from the Greek words for not and Colocasia, a related genus. The epithet amazonica was added to suggest a tropical, exotic origin.

Bueno saberlo

• It is often called the African Mask plant because of its unique leaf shape.
• The leaves can grow quite large, reaching up to 2 feet in length.
• It requires high humidity to look its best.