The Story
Plant Bio
Alocasia x amazonica, often sold as African mask plant, is a compact hybrid of garden origin growing one to two feet high and as wide. The leaves are its entire appeal: arrow-shaped, thick and almost metallic dark green, with bold white veins and wavy margins, held on upright speckled stalks. The greenish-white flowers are insignificant.
It wants warmth, high humidity and shelter from moving air all at once, which makes an ordinary heated room a difficult place for it: dry air browns the leaf edges within weeks. A humid bathroom, a grouped arrangement or a covered case suits it far better than a windowsill above a radiator.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Bulb Corm Tuber
Height
24 inches
Width
20 inches
Light
Partial Sun, Shade
Zones
10
Water
Medium
Humidity
High
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Garden origin
Toxicity
Toxic if ingested
Marketplace
Where to Buy
Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping
Planting
How to Grow
- Pot into organically rich, free-draining compost.
- Site in part shade, filtered sun or bright indirect light.
- Keep temperatures warm and steady, away from draughts.
- Maintain high humidity around the plant.
- Keep the compost consistently moist but never soggy.
- Wipe leaves clean rather than misting them repeatedly.
Pro Tip
Humidity matters more than light here; grouping plants or using a pebble tray does more for the leaf edges than moving it to a brighter spot.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Keep humidity high around the plant 🌫️
- Give it warm, steady temperatures 🌡️
- Use bright indirect light 🪟
- Keep the compost evenly moist 💧
Don't
- Site it in a draught or above a radiator ❌
- Let the compost go soggy ❌
- Let pets or children chew the leaves ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce | ||||||||||||
| Repot |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
African Mask Plant questions
What zones can African Mask Plant grow in?
African Mask Plant is hardy in USDA Zone 10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is African Mask Plant deer resistant?
Yes — African Mask Plant is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does African Mask Plant bloom?
African Mask Plant typically blooms in seasonal; flowers insignificant through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does African Mask Plant need full sun?
African Mask Plant does best in part shade.
More Alocasia to compare
Portodora Elephant Ear
Alocasia portodora
Giant Elephant Ear
Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Shock Treatment'
Giant Taro
Alocasia macrorrhizos
Hardy Elephant Ear
Alocasia wentii
Variegated Elephant Ear
Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Variegata'
African Mask Plant Elephant Ear
Alocasia indica 'Odora'
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow African Mask Plant with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.