Alocasia Polly Care

The Alocasia Polly boasts stunning good looks, easy care requirements, and gives off a tropical vibe. The unique foliage stands out when compared to most traditional houseplants. Alocasia care is sometimes considered tricky or challenging, but these are easy to maintain when you understand what they need. Learn about Alocasia Polly care so your plants will thrive.

Plant Details

The Alocasia amazonica also goes by Polly, African Mask, and Elephant Ear. This plant is naturally found in the tropical regions of South Asia. Foliage grows in a rosette formation and has an upright growth habit. The angular, arrowhead-shaped leaves are a glossy green with contrasting whitish-green veining. The edges of the foliage have a slight ruffle. Mature plants stand a few feet tall and wide.

Alocasia Polly Light Needs

These are fast-growing plants when they receive ideal care, which includes bright, indirect sunlight. Plants that receive medium or low light will grow slowly and not reach their full potential, and foliage may also have a washed-out appearance.

Direct sunlight is a dealbreaker and will burn the foliage. Hang sheer curtains to diffuse bright sunlight, or position the plant further from a sunny window if you notice sunburned foliage.

How Often to Water Alocasia

This leafy beauty has high water requirements, which can sometimes be challenging for new or inexperienced plant owners to manage. Keep the soil moist but never soggy. The Alocasia Polly likes continuously damp conditions, but overly wet soil is bad news. The most dependable way to gauge the dampness of the soil is to stick your finger in the potting mix. Water the plant when the very top layer is dry or slightly damp.

The container material will impact how quickly the soil dries out. Unglazed ceramic and terracotta look lovely but allow moisture to escape quickly, which results in more frequent watering.

Best Soil for Alocasia

Give Polly rich, well-drained soil. A fertile potting mix supports growth. Drainage is vital because overly wet conditions damage the roots.

Temperature for African Mask

Warm temperatures are necessary for the Polly to grow and thrive. Temperatures between 65° and 85° F are ideal. Plants grown in warm temperatures grow more quickly and bigger, so if you want to have an impressively large plant, find a warm spot.

Alocasia Polly Humidity Needs

High humidity is a must for proper Alocasia Polly care. Humidity over 60% is necessary, but the higher, the better for this tropical plant. Many plant owners feature an Alocasia in a kitchen or bathroom since those areas naturally have increased humidity.

Leaves will curl or form dry patches along the edges if the humidity is too low. Easy ways to boost humidity include grouping plants nearby, using a pebble tray with water, or a humidifier.

African Mask Fertilizer Tips

Help your plant push out new leaves and look fabulous by regularly applying fertilizer. Use a balanced plant food every two weeks during the spring and summer. Water-soluble fertilizers are often the easiest to use since they can be combined with a watering session. Hold back on fertilizer when the plant is dormant.

Pruning Tips

Trim dead or damaged growth to keep Polly looking her best. Pruning is not often a big part of Alocasia Polly care, but you can trim a large plant to maintain its size. Always use clean, sharp shears and cut the stem back as far as possible without interfering with other growth.

Does Alocasia Polly Bloom?

The Alocasia Polly does bloom and features small whitish-green spadix and spathe flowers. However, this plant only blooms when the conditions are just right. While the plant can comfortably live inside, it needs an environment closer to the tropical locale it calls home to set flowers. Many plant owners choose to prune flowers to redirect energy into new foliage growth.

When to Repot Alocasia Polly

The Alocasia Polly or African Mask will need a new container every two to three years. These plants are content being somewhat rootbound, but growth will slow when the roots run out of space. Repotting the Alocasia into a new, spacious container with fresh soil will keep it growing and thriving.

Alocasia Polly Propagation

Propagate Alocasia Polly by division. It’s best to divide a plant in the spring, at the start of the growing season. Remove the plant from its pot and gently separate the main plant into smaller plants by untangling the roots. Trim the roots with clean, sharp shears or a knife if necessary. Repot each new plant in a new container full of fresh potting mix.

Is the Alocasia Polly Pet Safe?

The Alocasia Polly is toxic, so it is not the best choice for homes with noisy or curious pets. Eating any part of the plant will cause your furry friend to experience mouth and throat irritation, vomiting, and possibly diarrhea.

Alocasia Polly Styling Tips

The African Mask is an easy plant to style because it does all of the hard work. Give this prehistoric-looking plant a decorative container and a sunny spot near a window. Large plants look stately in a stand.