Kris Plant or African Mask Plant (Alocasia sanderiana or Alocasia amazonica) is a very popular houseplant with beautifully patterned leaves. The interesting leaves make it a great addition to indoor spaces. It is a houseplant that likes warmer temperatures. It’s a humid-loving houseplant and will do great in a bathroom with a window. If you have children and pets at home, do be careful because your Alocasia plant is toxic to humans and pets. Here are tips on how to care for your Alocasia plant at home.
African Mask Plant Infographic
8 Tips on How to Take Care of Your African Mask Plant
1. Your Kris Plant is Happiest in Bright indirect light
Kris Plant will be happy with bright, indirect light. Filter the sunlight using sheer blinds or sheer curtains. Avoid direct sunlight and southern exposure.
2. Moderate Water is Best for Your African Mask Plant
Water your African Mask Plant when the soil feels dry. The best way to tell when it is time to water your Kris Plant is to feel the soil. During the growing season, stick your finger in the soil 1 inch deep. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water your Kris Plant.
Your Alocasia Plant goes into a dormant period in the Fall where you will see the leaves start to fall off. During this dormant period, reduce watering but don’t let the soil dry out completely.
3. Get the Soil Right for Your Alocasia Plant
Your Alocasia Plant needs a well-draining, organic potting mix that can still retain moisture.
4. Fertilize Your Kris Plant
Your Kris Plant should be fertilized once every 3 months during its growing season.
5. Don’t forget to Repot Your Kris Plant
Repot your Kris Plant when it’s outgrowing its current pot. Repot in a container with a diameter 2 inches larger than the current pot.
6. Drainage is Essential for Your African Mask Plant
After watering your African Mask Plant and you see water draining out of the pot’s drainage holes, make sure you empty out the accumulated water in the saucer. Don’t let your Kris Plant’s pot sit in this puddle of water. It will cause root rot!
Since your Kris Plant is a humid-loving plant, you can elevate the pot by adding pebbles or pot feet so your Kris Plant does not sit directly on the water.
7. Warm Temperature is Best for Your Alocasia Plant
Your Alocasia Plant is a tropical plant that is happy in warm temperatures. It needs to have daytime and nighttime temperatures of 65 to 85 Fahrenheit (18-30C). Preferring the warmer range of temperature.
8. Humidity is Vital for Your Kris Plant
Your Kris Plant is a houseplant that thrives in humid conditions. Indoor air can be drying. Make sure you do your best to increase indoor humidity. You can do this by spraying your Kris Plant with water twice a week. Turn on the humidifier. Keep Kris Plant in a saucer filled with water. But make sure the pot is elevated with pot feet or pebbles so your Kris Plant is not sitting directly on the water. Keep your Nerve Plant in humid indoor spaces such as bathrooms.
You May Also be Interested in Other Humid-Loving Houseplant: Prayer Plant, Nerve Plant, and Boston Fern
Common Alocasia sanderiana Houseplant Problems
The common problem for Alocasia sanderiana Plant are spider mites.
Alocasia sanderiana Problem: Yellow and Brown Spots with Spider-Like Webs on Leaves and Stems
Problem: There are yellow and brown spots on the leaves of your Kris Plant. You also see spider web-like webbing on the leaves and stems.
Cause: The spider webbing and yellow and brown spots are signs of spider mites attacking your Kris Plant. Spider mites are tiny pests that are too small to see with your bare eyes.
Solution: To treat spider mites on your Kris Plant, spray off the leaves with water from a garden hose. The force will cause the little spider mites to wash off the leaves. You can also wash mites off with soapy water or rubbing alcohol. There are also horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps that you can use to kill off spider mites.
Check out our article on how to make your own homemade pesticides using baby shampoo: How to Make Horticultural Oil and How to Make Insecticidal Soap
Kris Plant Houseplant Facts
| Name | Kris Plant or African Mask Plant |
| Scientific Name | Alocasia sanderiana or Alocasia amazonica |
| Light | Bright indirect light |
| Daytime Temperature | 65 to 85F (18-30C) |
| Night Time Temperature | 65 to 85F (18-30C) |
| Water | Moderate Water |
| Humidity | High Humidity |
| Potting | Well-draining, organic, all-purpose potting mix |
| Fertilizer | Once every 3 months (Growing season) |
| Toxic to Pets and Humans | Toxic |
Kris Plant: Frequently Asked Questions
What are Other Names of Kris Plant?
Kris Plant is also called African Mask, Sander’s Alocasia, and Alocasia amazonica.
Is Your Kris Plant Toxic to Pets?
Kris Plants are toxic to humans and pets. Don’t let children or pets chew on the leaves of the Kris Plant plant because it contains calcium oxalate crystals. The crystals can cause vomiting and difficulty breathing. It can also result in swelling of lips, tongue, and mouth and excessive drooling.
If you see any of these symptoms and suspect ingestion of Kris Plant plants, call poison control immediately! Also, call your doctor or vet once you start seeing adverse reactions in children and pets.
Check out: Popular Houseplants that are Toxic to Pets and Humans
How Can You Tell When It’s Time to Water Your Kris Plant?
Keep soil moist. Water your Kris Plant when the soil feels dry. The best way to tell when it’s time to water is by sticking your finger into the soil. Stick your finger in the soil 1 inch deep. If the soil feels dry, then it’s time to water your Kris Plant.
Your Kris Plant goes into a dormant period in the Fall where the leaves fall off. During this dormant period, reduce watering but don’t let the soil dry out completely.
Can You Use Cold Water When Watering Your Kris Plant?
Kris Plant can be watered with tap water but be mindful of the water temperature that you are using to water your Kris Plant. Don’t use straight cold water from the tap to water your Kris Plant. Kris Plant prefers cool water that is not hot and not cold.
When you turn on the cold water from the faucet add a little bit of warm water. You can also get to this ideal temperature by filling a watering can or pitcher with water and leaving it out overnight until the water is at room temperature.
What Fertilizer Should You Use for Your Kris Plant?
Use a slow-release fertilizer on your Kris Plant.
How Big Does Your Kris Plant Get?
Kris Plant can grow to 3 feet tall when kept as houseplants. The leaves can grow to an average of 16 inches long.
How Do You Propagate Your Kris Plant?
Kris Plant Plant is easy to propagate. You can propagate Kris Plant plant by division of its rhizomes.
Below are steps on how to propagate Kris Plant Plant by dividing its rhizomes.
1. Dig Up your Kris Plant houseplant
Using a hand shovel, dig up your Kris Plant so you can lift out the entire plant. Be careful, don’t damage the roots and rhizomes. Dig a few inches away from the plant.
2. Divide the Alocasia Rhizomes
Carefully divide up the Alocasia rhizomes. Each rhizome will grow into a separate plant.
3. Plant the Alocasia Rhizomes in a New Pot
Plant each rhizome into a new pot. Don’t plant the rhizomes too close together. Ideally, plant each one in its own pot. Water the new plant immediately after planting. Then water every 2-3 days until the roots are established.
4. Place the New Kris Plant in a Spot with Bright Indirect Sun
Place your new Kris Plant plant in a spot with bright indirect sunlight. Don’t put it in direct sunlight. Keep your Kris Plant plant in a spot that is warm and humid.
You May Also Be Interested in These Humid-Loving Houseplants:
How to Care for Your Nerve Plant (Infographic)
How to Care for Your Prayer Plant (Infographic)
How to Care for Your Boston Fern (Infographic)
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