Alocasia Polly Indoor Care & Propagation Guide (Alocasia x amazonica 'Polly')
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Alocasia Polly thrives in bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Alocasia x amazonica 'Polly' also called Elephant's Ears Plant or African Mask is one of the popular Alocasia varieties and bears erect stems and enormous, arrow-shaped, dark-green leaves with distinctly white-colored veins.
African Mask Plant is a strikingly beautiful plant and is moderately easy to grow making it one of the best plants for the office space where it will create a great first impression.
Botanical name: Alocasia x amazonica 'Polly'
Family: Araceae
Common names: Alocasia Polly, African Mask, Elephant's Ears Plant
Origin
Alocasia x amazonica 'Polly' is a hybrid of Alocasia longiloba and Alocasia sanderiana both species of the family Araceae. There are about 90 species in the Alocasia genus which are native to tropical and subtropical Asia to Eastern Australia.
Size
African Mask grows to a height of 1 foot and a width of 1 foot. The large leaves can grow up to 2 feet long.
Flower
The flowers in Alocasia Polly are are unimpressive pale-colored spathes which only last a few days. They grow at the end of a short stalk but they are not conspicuous; they are often hidden behind the leaf petioles.
Is Alocasia Polly toxic?
Alocasia x amazonica 'Polly' like other Alocasia Plants is toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. It contains crystals of calcium oxalate which if ingested can numb and swell the tongue and pharynx leading to difficulty in breathing and sharp pain in the throat. Keep it away from the reach of children and pets to avoid any mishaps.
Where to Buy
Are you looking to acquire these plants to your collection, you may obtain them online from Amazon (Link to Amazon) or from Etsy ( Link to Etsy).
How to care for Alocasia Polly indoors
To care for Alocasia Polly indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Alocasia X amazonica 'Polly' requires regular pruning to keep it neat and also discourage pest and disease infestations. Repotting is only needed when it becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water your Alocasia Polly thoroughly in spring and summer while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid overwatering to prevent rotting and yellowing of leaves.
Cut down on watering in fall and winter to keep the soil barely moist as growth is reduced. Never allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent wilting and drooping leaves.
Underwatering the plant will signal dormancy which may cause the leaves to start dying in readiness for dormancy.
Elephant's Ears Plant does not like to sit in soggy soil as it is prone to fungal infestations. Therefore, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging and death of the plant.
Light Requirements
Alocasia Polly grows best under bright indirect light. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can cause brown sunscorch marks on the leaves.
Too little light will signal dormancy which may cause the leaves to start dying in readiness for dormancy. Therefore, where the natural light is inadequate, you may use a full spectrum grow light to supplement it.
Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant gets light on all sides for even growth and prevent leggy growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Alocasia Polly flourishes in an average warmth of 16-280C. Below this temperature the plant may drop all its leaves and go into dormancy stage. Keep it away from drafts as it hates sudden changes in temperature which can cause reduced growth and death of the plant.
African Mask Plant requires high humidity of 60-70% to thrive. To upscale humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Make sure that there is good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed your Alocasia Polly with a liquid fertilizer (foliar feed) every 3-4 weeks in spring and summer but do not feed in fall and winter as the plant undergoes dormancy during this period.
Flush out accumulated salts arising from fertilizers every 2-3 months by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage holes. Let the stream of water run for a few minutes and repeat several times.
Potting Medium
The best potting mix for Alocasia Polly should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Potting mixes designed for Aroids are ideal for the plant.
Repotting
African Mask Plant prefers to be root-bound, therefore frequent repotting is not needed. Repot into a 1 size larger pot during the growing season (spring to early summer), only if the roots have grown out through the drainage holes.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to fungal diseases. Take a look at these beautiful ceramic planters with a drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Alocasia Polly requires removal of yellow and diseased leaves as they occur to maintain the plant neat and also reduce chances of diseases and pests infestation.
Occasionally clean the leaves by damp wiping them with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and discourage pests infestation.
Alocasia Polly Propagation
Alocasia Polly is best propagated by plant division at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) when it is in active growth.
Propagating Alocasia Polly by plant division
- Water the plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment.
- Carefully slip the plant out of its pot and gently divide the rhizome into sections by cutting through with a sharp sterilized knife. Ensure that each section has 1-2 stems.
- Select small pots that have a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting. Ensure the pots are slightly wider than the base of the rhizome sections.
- Fill the pots one thirdway with well-draining soil and moisten it slightly.
- Position each section in the center of the pot and continue to fill with the soil while firming the soil around the base. Maintain the sections at the same depth that they were in the previous pot.
- Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.
- Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges after which you can begin routine care.
Alocasia Polly Problems & Solutions
Alocasia X amazonica 'Polly problems are brown leaves, yellowing leaves, drooping leaves & plant dying, brown leaf tips and edges, loss of leaf color, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Brown leaves
Why are the leaves on my Alocasia Polly turning brown?
The main causes of brown leaves on your Alocasia Polly are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, and temperature stress.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 1-2 inches dry out. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts emanating from AC units, drafty windows, heat sources, windy doors among others.
Yellowing leaves
Why are my Alocasia Polly leaves turning yellow?
Some of the causes of yellowing leaves on your Alocasia Polly are dry air, inconsistent watering, soggy soil and aging. Remove such leaves by snipping them off at the base with a clean sharp knife or a pair of scissors.
How to fix it
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together, use a humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom.
Inconsistent watering: Water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out. Do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Aging: It is natural for the old leaves to turn yellow and drop as the plant matures.
Drooping leaves & plant dying
Alocasia Polly is drooping leaves and dying due to too little light, cold drafts or underwatering. These three reasons signal dormancy for the plant and hence the leaves die in readiness to enter dormancy.
Naturally, this happens during the cold season (winter) when the plant undergoes dormancy. However, even if the foliage may die, the underground rhizome is still alive and can regrow under favorable conditions.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.
Cold temperatures: Keep it away from cold drafts to maintain a warmth of 18-260C.
Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Brown leaf edges
Brown leaf edges on Alocasia Polly are due to too low humidity, salts buildup or underwatering.
How to fix it
Too low humidity: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.
Salts buildup: Flush out the accumulated salts from the soil every 2-3 months by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage holes.
Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry but not leave the soilball to dry out completely.
Loss of leaf color
Loss of leaf color on Alocasia Polly is caused by too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot and ensure it receives bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is not sufficient.
Pests
Common pests on Alocasia Polly are mealybugs, spider mites, scales and aphids.
How to fix it
- Check underneath the leaves regularly for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Seperate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' instructions.
- Regularly damp-wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to discourage the pests.
- Keep the plant well pruned to minimize the hiding and breeding places for these pests.
Diseases
Alocasia Polly is prone to leaf spot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil and overwet conditions. The disease presents as dark brown or black leaf spots.
How to fix it
- Remove and burn the affected parts to reduce the risk of spread to the rest of the plants.
- Spray the affected plant with a systemic fungicide and ensure to cover all the parts with the fungicidal solution.
- Keep the plant on the dry side, do not mist it and ensure good air flow.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-drained soil.
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