Why are the leaf tips turning brown?

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

Does it need direct sunlight?

No, it prefers bright, indirect light to prevent leaf scorch.

Plant guide

African Mask Plant.

Alocasia × amazonica

Pronounced al-oh-KAY-zee-uh am-uh-ZON-ih-kuh

Also known as Alocasia × amazonica

Alocasia macrorrhizos — Photo by Greg III Espera (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This striking plant is a hybrid known for its bold, arrow shaped leaves with prominent white veins. It adds a dramatic tropical flair to any indoor space. You will love how the deep green foliage contrasts with the lighter veining.

At a glance

Care level: Difficult
Plant type: Tropical perennial
Light: Bright, filtered light is best for healthy growth.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely blooms indoors, but may produce spathes in late spring.

Care

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 for keeping this plant happy and preventing crispy leaf edges.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Remove yellow or damaged leaves at the base to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound in its current container.
Soil: Well draining peat based potting mix
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: 15 to 28°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
The plant has stopped producing new leaves during the growing season.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals which cause severe irritation to the mouth and throat.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as chewing on the leaves causes immediate pain and swelling.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is toxic if ingested and should never be consumed by humans or pets.

How to identify it

Arrow shaped dark green leaves
Prominent white or silver veins
Wavy leaf margins
Deep purple undersides

Height: 0.4 to 0.8m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: dark green, purple, bronze, evergreen
Flowers: white, cream, 5 to 10cm
Fruit: red, Rarely fruits in cultivation.

Problems to watch for

Brown Leaf EdgesCommon
Root RotCommon
Spider MitesCommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Leaf DropUncommon
MealybugsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, corm offsets
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant in a warm spot away from cold drafts. Reduce watering slightly during the cooler months when growth slows down.
In containers: It thrives in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is not excessively large.

Division

Gently remove the plant from its pot.
Identify the corm offsets attached to the main root ball.
Carefully separate the offsets using a sterile blade.
Pot the offsets in a well draining mix.
Keep the soil lightly moist until new growth appears.

Group moisture loving plants together to create a humid microclimate that reduces individual plant stress.

Grows well with

Peace Lily · They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
Ferns · Ferns help create a microclimate that boosts ambient humidity.

Similar species

Kris Plant · It is one of the parent species and shares the distinct leaf shape.
Amazonian Elephant Ear · It has a similar aesthetic with high contrast veining.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Alocasia
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical Southeast Asia.
Conservation: This is a cultivated hybrid that does not occur in the wild. Plants sold in the trade are produced in nurseries by tissue culture or division.

It grows in the shaded, humid understory of tropical rainforests.

Value to wildlife: tropical habitat structure
Pollinators: beetles
Uses: houseplant, tropical display

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are the leaf tips turning brown?: This is usually a sign of low humidity or inconsistent watering.
Does it need direct sunlight?: No, it prefers bright, indirect light to prevent leaf scorch.

Where the name comes from

The name honors the Mortfontaine estate in France where the hybrid was first cultivated in the 19th century.

Good to know

It is commonly known as the Skeleton Plant due to its prominent white veins.
It is a hybrid of Alocasia sanderiana and Alocasia lowii.
The leaves are naturally dark to absorb as much light as possible in shaded environments.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI on September 24, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.