Photo: Nathan Van CootenCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
African rope Plant Care
Agelaea pentagyna Baill.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's glossy, deep green, five-lobed leaves stand out in any collection. Hailing from Southeast Asia, Agelaea pentagyna is sought after by plant collectors for its unique foliage and ability to thrive indoors. Its elegant and tropical appearance make it a prized addition to any indoor garden.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to partial shade
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for African rope?
Water African rope every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the African rope Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the African rope?
African rope (Agelaea pentagyna) belongs to the Connaraceae family within the Agelaea genus. African rope is native to Africa. African rope is also known as African wild olive.
African rope displays a vining, climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. African rope produces small clusters of fragrant white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a African rope?
Agelaea pentagyna requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the African rope Need?
African rope thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing African rope in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the African rope Prefer?
Agelaea pentagyna grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. African rope prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a African rope?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for African rope to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a African rope?
Feed African rope every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a African rope?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a African rope?
African rope can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the African rope Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list African rope, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the African rope?
African rope is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the African rope Need?
African rope grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. African rope is native to Africa. In cooler regions, grow African rope as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
African rope is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Agelaea genus — compare its care with other Agelaea species on PlantoScan.
Agelaea is part of the Connaraceae plant family — browse all Connaraceae genera and species.
African rope thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Agelaea pentagyna Baill., family Connaraceae (first published in Bull. Mens. Soc. Linn. Paris 1: 345 (1882)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list African rope, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Nathan Van Cooten, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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