My African Mask Plant sits on a long table in my dining room along with eight or nine other plants. I must say, with its magnificent foliage, it steals the show. It’s a stunning indoor plant. However, many gardeners struggle to grow it. These African Mask Plant care tips will help you out.
It’s tricky to grow indoors and if it’s not happy, it’ll go downhill fast. The three key points of keeping this plant looking good are exposure, watering, and an above-humidity requirement.
I live in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona which is very dry (average humidity of 29%). Despite a few brown tips, mine is doing just fine although it’s certainly not the most robust of my houseplants!
This plant shares the same family (Araceae) as many other popular houseplants: anthuriums, pothos, monsteras, philodendrons, aglaonemas, peace lilies, arrowhead plants, and zz plants. I always find this interesting as plants in the same family share similar characteristics. I guess that’s the plant geek in me.
I bought this plant labeled as African Mask Plant. The genus and species are most likely Alocasia amazonica and the cultivar is “Polly”. This is a smaller growing hybrid plant that was developed for the houseplant trade as most of the other Alocasias get large.
You may also see it called “Kris Plant”. Confusing, I know. Regardless of which one I actually have, the care is the same whether it’s been labeled African Mask Plant or Alocasia Polly.
Adding greenery to your home or office space is an easy way to brighten up your surroundings and improve your mood. But if you’re tight on tabletop or floor space, hanging plants can be a creative solution. One excellent option is the hanging African mask plant. With its large, distinct leaves shaped like an African mask, it makes a striking hanging plant that is sure to draw the eye upwards.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about the benefits of the hanging African mask plant and how to care for it properly.
The African mask plant, also known by its scientific name Alocasia Amazonica, is a tropical plant native to Asia. It gets its common name from its uniquely shaped leaves that resemble the face masks worn in certain African cultures. The leaves are a deep green color with prominent white veins running through them. They can grow quite large, up to 18 inches long and 12 inches wide.
This plant grows up to 6 feet tall as an upright floor plant. But it also does well as a hanging plant, cascading gracefully down from a hanging basket. Its exotic look makes it a real statement plant.
Benefits of the Hanging African Mask Plant
There are many advantages to displaying your African mask plant in a hanging basket rather than placing it on a table or plant stand.
Saves Floor and Table Space
Hanging plants are perfect when you want to add greenery but don’t have a lot of free horizontal space. By suspending your African mask plant from the ceiling, you can free up valuable floor and table area in your home or office.
Creates a Focal Point
The African mask plant’s uniquely shaped foliage and vibrant colors make it a real focal point. Hanging the plant at eye level or higher draws the gaze upward. It becomes an intriguing living work of art.
Improves Air Quality
Like many indoor plants, the African mask plant naturally filters indoor air. Its large leaves absorb toxins and produce oxygen. Hanging it higher in the room helps purify the air you breathe in that space.
Adds Texture and Dimension
The lush leaves of a hanging African mask plant add appealing visual texture and create depth in a room It brings a bit of the exotic jungle right into your indoor environment
Caring for Your Hanging African Mask Plant
While relatively easy to care for, the African mask plant does have some specific needs. Follow these tips to keep your hanging plant healthy.
Provide Bright, Indirect Light
The African mask plant thrives best in bright, indirect sunlight Hanging it near an east or west facing window is ideal. Avoid direct southern exposure, which can scorch its leaves
Water When Topsoil is Dry
Check the soil before watering and only water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. The plant prefers moist but not soggy soil. Allow any excess water to drain out of the pot’s bottom to prevent root rot.
Mist Leaves Regularly
These tropical plants appreciate high humidity. Mist the leaves several times a week or place the pot on a pebble tray with water to increase moisture in the air around it.
Use Well-Draining Soil
Plant your African mask in a quality potting mix made for aroids and tropical plants. It requires soil that drains well but also retains some moisture.
Fertilize During Growing Season
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks while the plant is actively growing in spring and summer. Discontinue fertilizer over winter when growth slows.
With the right care, the African mask plant makes a striking and satisfying hanging plant. Let it lend its exotic tropical vibe to your indoor space. Just be sure to give it the proper conditions described above, and your plant will thrive for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hanging African Mask Plant
Is the African mask plant toxic?
Yes, the African mask plant contains insoluble calcium oxalates that can cause mouth irritation or swelling if ingested. Keep this plant out of reach of pets and small children. Its sap can also irritate skin.
How do I prune my hanging African mask plant?
Prune off any dead, damaged, or yellowing leaves using sterilized pruning shears. This encourages new growth. You can also prune to control size and shape. Avoid pruning in winter.
What are the ideal temperatures for growing?
African mask plants prefer warm temperatures between 65-80°F. Avoid exposing them to temperatures below 55°F or cold drafts.
How do I propagate new African mask plants?
You can propagate by dividing mature plants at the roots or by taking stem cuttings. Plant divisions or cuttings in seed starting mix. Keep soil moist until new roots form.
Why are brown spots appearing on the leaves?
This is usually caused by inconsistent watering. Both overwatering and underwatering can lead to brown leaf spots. Check soil moisture regularly and water thoroughly only when the top inch becomes dry.
Display Your Hanging African Mask Plant With Pride
With its exotic jungle vibe and striking foliage, the African mask plant is a real showstopper as a hanging plant. Take proper care of lighting, water, humidity, and other needs and it will flourish. Then sit back and enjoy its lush tropical appeal!
Alocasia Polly Light Requirements
Like many other houseplants, the African Mask Plant needs bright, indirect light. This would be medium or moderate light.
It doesn’t do well in low light – the leaves will get smaller and the plant won’t grow. On the other hand, keep it out of the direct sun and away from the hot glass of a window with a south or west exposure. This will cause sunburn.
My Alocasia Polly sits 10′ away from an east-facing bay window. You can see this in the video below. I live in Tucson where the sun shines a lot (Arizona is the sunniest state in the US) so this works fine for my houseplants.
You may have to rotate your plant every two months or three months so it gets light on all sides.
In the winter, you may have to move your plants to a brighter location. More on Houseplant Care In Winter.
I never let mine completely dry out. As a general rule, I let the soil mix dry out 3/4 of the way before watering again.
In the warmer months, I water My African Mask Plant every six to seven days and every twelve to fourteen days in the winter months. Adjust the frequency to your environment and how the plant is drying out. Here’s a guide to Watering Indoor Plants in case you’re interested.
I really can’t tell you how often to water yours because there are many variables that come into play. Here are a few: the pot size, the type of soil it’s planted in, the location where it’s growing, and your home’s environment. As much as this plant doesn’t like to dry out, it doesn’t like to stay constantly wet.
When my plant is semi-dormant, I water it every fourteen days or so.
If your African Mask Plant has yellow leaves, it’s most likely due to overwatering or underwatering. You can cut those leaves off.
African Mask Plants aren’t the easiest plants to care for, but here are 15 Easy Care Plants that are great for beginning gardeners.
A lack of humidity makes this beauty tricky to grow. Other plants native to the sub-tropics/tropics do fine in our drier home environments. A moderate to a high level of humidity is key to African Mask Plant care.
Sometimes the humidity levels in Tucson are 12%. The average houseplant enjoys a level of around 50%. That’s why my Alocasia Polly isn’t as robust as it was when I bought it. Here’s what I do to increase the humidity factor:
- The grow pot sits on a saucer filled with rock. I keep the saucer 3/4 full of water. Just make sure the roots don’t sit in the water because that’ll bring on root rot.
- I remove the plant from its decorative container and take the plant to my deep kitchen sink. Then, I give it a spray and let it sit there for an hour or so.
- I have this humidity meter in my dining room. It’s inexpensive but does the trick. I run my Canopy Humidifiers when the humidity reads low, which is a good portion of the time here in the Arizona desert. I run them 4-5 times a week for 6-8 hours depending on the humidity level.
If you’ve got a mister bottle, your plant would appreciate a spray two or three times a week. I love this spray bottle because it’s light and easy to hold. I’ve had it for over three years now and it still works like a charm.
How much, if at all, you need to increase the humidity factor depends on how dry your home is and how your plant is doing.
My African Mask Plant has small brown leaf tips. This is in response to the dry air.
This plant loves warm temperatures. It’ll tolerate cooler temps but won’t grow as much and be as happy.
Besides my worm compost/compost routine every other spring, I feed this plant six to seven times a year during the growing season in spring, summer, and early fall.
I fertilize my plants from mid-February through October. We have a long growing season here in Tucson and my houseplants appreciate it. In a colder climate, you may start feeding in late March or April.
When my plants are putting new growth and new leaves, it’s my sign to start feeding. For you in a different climate zone with a shorter growing season, feeding two or three times per year may do it for your indoor plants.
I feed my container plants indoors and outdoors with Grow Big, liquid kelp, and Maxsea three to seven times during the growing season. By the way, I alternate fertilizers and don’t use them all together.
Other options you might consider are would be this kelp/seaweed fertilizer and Joyful Dirt. Both are popular and get great reviews.
Don’t over-fertilize (use too great a quantity and/or do it too often) because salts can build up and lead to root burn. The lower the light, the less often you’ll fertilize.
Show your office some love and add some life with these Office Plants For Your Desk. 6″ African Mask Plants waiting to be purchased at
Alocasia African Mask Flowers
It has a green spathe-like flower. As an indoor plant, it doesn’t happen on a regular basis if at all. The foliage is what makes this plant desirable.
This is easy to see – Alocasia Polly has those standout deep green leaves with pronounced veins!
Are you looking for another houseplant with gorgeous foliage? Check out the Pink Aglaonema Lady Valentine.
