Alocasia Polly

Alocasia Polly is a popular compact cultivar of Alocasia x amazonica, a hybrid grown for its bold, sculptural foliage. Despite the 'Amazonica' name, it is a man-made hybrid rather than an Amazon native.

Its leaves are deep, glossy green, arrow- to shield-shaped, with scalloped, wavy edges and prominent silvery-white veins, giving it a tribal-mask appearance that inspires the name African Mask Plant.

Compact and dramatic, it makes a striking houseplant but has a reputation for being temperamental, dropping leaves if conditions are not warm, humid, and stable.

Identify by:

• Arrow- or shield-shaped (sagittate) leaves, dark glossy green to nearly black-green
• Bold silvery-white to pale-green veins and wavy, scalloped leaf margins
• Reddish to green upright petioles holding leaves aloft
• Compact size, typically 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24 in) tall indoors
• Grows from a rhizome/tuber and can go dormant under stress

Rewarding but particular about conditions.

• Light: Bright indirect light; avoid direct sun, which scorches leaves
• Water: Keep lightly and evenly moist; let the top inch dry slightly. Avoid both soggy soil and full drought
• Soil: Loose, well-draining mix with bark, perlite, and coir
• Temperature: Warm, 18 to 27 C (65 to 80 F); sensitive to cold drafts
• Humidity: High humidity (60%+) helps prevent crispy edges
• Feeding: Balanced fertilizer monthly in spring and summer
• Propagation: By dividing offsets/rhizomes; may rest or go dormant in winter, which is normal

Alocasia Polly is a cultivated hybrid derived from Southeast Asian Alocasia species (often cited as Alocasia longiloba and A. sanderiana). It is not found in the wild.

Its parent species come from the tropical rainforests of Asia, where they grow in warm, humid, shaded understory. Polly is grown almost exclusively as an indoor ornamental worldwide.