Alocasia Polly Care Guide
This one’s dramatic. Alocasia Polly (aka African Mask Plant) looks like it came out of a jungle comic book — arrowhead leaves, bold veins, dark vibes. But be warned: it’s a certified diva. Treat it right, or it’ll throw a fit fast.
PLANT KING QUICK STATS
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Plant King/Queen
Steam Demon
Bright Beast
Toxic AF
Routine Guzzler
Chunky Boi
Balanced Baddie
Root Hack
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Alocasia × amazonica ‘Polly’ (al-oh-KAY-shuh a-ma-ZON-ih-kuh)
ORIGIN:
A man-made hybrid — not found in nature. Created from Alocasia longiloba × Alocasia sanderiana.
SIZE:
Height: Around 1–2 feet (30–60 cm) indoors.
Width: About 1–2 feet (30–60 cm), depending on pot size and care.
SOIL:
Polly’s a Balanced Baddie — it wants a Goldilocks mix. Not too soggy, not too dry. A well-draining blend with just enough moisture retention keeps it from flipping out. Our Plant King Tropical Mix hits the mark. Want to DIY it? Go for peat or coco coir, perlite, and just a hint of bark.
LIGHT:
It’s a Bright Beast that hates the spotlight. Too much direct sun and it burns. Too little and it sulks. Bright, indirect light is where Polly feels like royalty. A few feet back from a south or east window is the sweet spot.
WATER:
This plant is a Routine Guzzler. Let the top inch of soil dry out, then water thoroughly. Miss a watering or flood it, and you’ll know — fast. Droop, yellowing, or drama? Check the roots.
HUMIDITY:
Polly is a straight-up Steam Demon. It wants tropical conditions — 60% humidity minimum, but 70–80% is the goal. Dry air equals crispy leaves, spider mites, and rag
FEEDING:
Feed every 4 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Go half strength — the roots are touchy. Or skip the monthly micromanaging and toss in some Nutricote pellets at the start of the season. They’ll slow-release over 2–3 months and keep things steady. No feeding in fall or winter — Polly’s dramatic, but not hungry.
POTS:
Drainage holes are non-negotiable. Alocasia roots are prone to rot. Use a snug pot, and don’t jump up sizes too fast — this isn’t a grow bag free-for-all.
WINTER CARE:
This plant will throw a full tantrum in cold, dry air. Growth slows or stops completely. Cut back watering, keep the humidity high, and don’t freak if it drops a few leaves. It’s resting, not dying — probably.
F.A.Q:
It’s either mad about water or dry air. Check the soil — too wet or too dry will both cause drama. And bump up that humidity.
You bet — but not with stem cuttings. Alocasia grows from underground corms. When you repot, dig around the base and you’ll find little bulb-like offshoots. Pop them off, pot them up in moist soil or moss, and wait for the magic. Slow? Yes. Satisfying? Hell yes.
Low humidity and dry air are an open invite to pests. Boost the moisture, wipe the leaves, and stay on guard.
Sort of. In cooler months, Polly slows down or stalls completely. You might lose a few leaves — don’t panic. Cut back watering and wait for spring.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
If you’re deep in the Alocasia jungle and want to nerd out harder, check out the International Aroid Society (IAS):
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