{"product_id":"ebony-african-mask-plant-alocasia-x-amazonica-ebony","title":"Ebony African Mask Plant - Alocasia x amazonica 'Ebony'","description":"\u003cp\u003eEbony African Mask Plant (\u003cem\u003eAlocasia x amazonica\u003c\/em\u003e 'Ebony') is a compact foliage plant that reaches about 50cm tall and only 20cm wide, so it fits a shelf, a windowsill or a corner of a tropical garden bed. The leaves are shaped like small elephant ears, marked with contrasting white veins and a faint silver shadow, and they sit on almost black stems. It is also sold as crocodile plant or kris plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStriking leaf pattern.\u003c\/strong\u003e White veins run across dark leaves with a slight silver shadow, so the plant has real presence without a single flower.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNear black stems.\u003c\/strong\u003e The dark trunks add a second layer of contrast and give the plant a tailored, sculptural line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSlim and compact.\u003c\/strong\u003e At about 20cm wide it fits tight spots where a broader foliage plant would crowd its neighbours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade for pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e This compact variety suits indoor containers, where you control the light, the water and the drainage. Dark foliage looks sharpest in a brightly coloured pot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndoors in pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e Give it a bright position with filtered light, away from hot direct sun. Choose a pot with drainage holes and a bold colour to set off the dark leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropical garden underplanting.\u003c\/strong\u003e In a frost-free, shady bed, plant 30cm apart beneath larger shrubs and palms. The patterned leaves form a dark, textured ground layer that stands out beside gold or lime foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Ebony African Mask Plant in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright but filtered light suits it best, with no hot direct sun. Outdoors it belongs in tropical gardens and frost-free subtropical ones. Everywhere else, keep it inside and protect it from frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining soil, or a quality potting mix in a pot with good drainage. Soggy roots are the quickest way to lose an alocasia, so check that the drainage holes are clear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the mix regularly watered for the first 12 weeks while the plant establishes, then move to regular light watering, with a daily spritz indoors. Half-strength liquid fertiliser every four weeks suits it while it is growing. If leaves die back in the cooler months the plant is resting, so hold off feeding and heavy watering until fresh leaves appear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning and repotting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Snip off tired leaves at the base. Repot in spring only if the roots have filled the pot, and use that time to lift out any young shoots and pot them up separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Ebony African Mask Plant as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small, with a few leaves, and the white veining and dark stems become more pronounced as it grows. Pot it into a container with good drainage and keep it in bright, indirect light while it settles. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/elephant-ears\"\u003eBrowse elephant ears and alocasias\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/elephant-ear-plant-care\"\u003eElephant ear plants in Australia: varieties and care\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/indoor-exotic-plants-guide\"\u003eGrowing tropical foliage plants at home\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/indoor-plants\"\u003eMore indoor plants for the home\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Alocasias are toxic if eaten and the sap can irritate skin and mouths. Keep the plant out of reach of pets and children, and wash your hands after handling the leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the leaves dying back in winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlocasias go dormant in the cooler months and may lose foliage. This is normal. Ease off feeding and heavy watering, and new leaves follow when the weather warms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it outside?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly in a shaded, frost-free spot, which means tropical and warm subtropical gardens. Elsewhere, grow it in a pot indoors in bright, indirect light.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67789656260927,"sku":"ALO-AMA-EBONY-tube","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/ebony-african-mask-plant-alocasia-x-amazonica-ebony.jpg?v=1792193552","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/ebony-african-mask-plant-alocasia-x-amazonica-ebony","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}