African Rice Plant Care
Oryza glaberrima Steud.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Oryza glaberrima, commonly known as African rice, is one of the two domesticated rice species.
Every 1–3 days
Full sun
70–90°F
70–90%
At a glance
How do you care for African Rice?
Water African Rice every 1–3 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 70–90°F (21–32°C) and 70–90% humidity.
What Is the African Rice?
African Rice (Oryza glaberrima) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Oryza genus. African Rice is also known as Red Rice.
African Rice displays a tall, grassy growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately . African Rice produces inconspicuous flowers in panicles.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a African Rice?
Oryza glaberrima requires watering every 1–3 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 1–3 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the African Rice Need?
African Rice thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the African Rice Prefer?
Oryza glaberrima grows best at temperatures of 70–90°F. African Rice prefers humidity levels of 70–90%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
70–90°F
Humidity
70–90%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a African Rice?
Rich, loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for African Rice to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a African Rice?
Not typically potted, grown in flooded fields. 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 Rice?
African Rice can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to australian rice plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the African Rice Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list African Rice, 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 Rice?
African Rice is susceptible to rice blast, brown spot, rice bugs. 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 Rice Need?
African Rice grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow African Rice as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
African Rice 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 Oryza genus — compare its care with other Oryza species on PlantoScan.
Oryza is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
African Rice thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Oryza Species
Other Oryza species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Oryza glaberrima Steud., family Poaceae (first published in Syn. Pl. Glumac. 1: 3 (1853)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list African Rice, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
African Rice Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species