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Alocasia Polly Plant

3.5 out of 5 (39 experiences)

Large, lush leaves

Browns easily

About Alocasia Polly Plant

Alocasias, commonly known as Elephant Ears, are some of the most common houseplants although their leaves can reach enormous sizes when grown outdoors! 🐘 They typically only support a few leaves at a time (more, when they get more sun!) so don't be concerned if you see an old leaf begin to retire after a new one emerges. They grow out of underground corms which are similar to bulbs, so next time you repot keep an eye out for baby Alocasias! They contain calcium oxalate crystals so be sure to keep them out of reach if you have children or pets! ⚠️

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Alocasia × mortfontanensis

Genus

Alocasia

Family

Araceae

Order

Alismatales

Also known as

African Mask, Amazon Elephant's Ears and Alocasia 'Amazonica'

How to care for Alocasia Polly Plant

💦 Water

How often to water your Alocasia Polly Plant

Alocasia Polly Plant needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Alocasia Polly Plant in your home

Alocasia Polly Plant may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Alocasia Polly Plant in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Alocasia Polly Plant

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Alocasia Polly Plant: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Alocasia Polly Plant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Alocasia

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Alocasia Polly Plant is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Alocasia Polly Plant →

Common Alocasia Polly Plant Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Alocasia Polly Plant prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Alocasia Polly Plant Water Frequency →

Alocasia Polly Plant Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Alocasia Polly Plant may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Alocasia Polly Plant Light Requirements →

Alocasia Polly Plant Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

Alocasia Polly Plant Toxicity to Dogs →

💨 Humidity

Alocasia Polly Plant prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Alocasia Polly Plant Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Alocasia Polly Plant is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for Alocasia Polly Plant →

When and How to Successfully Repot Alocasia Polly Plant →

💩 Fertilizer

Alocasia Polly Plant is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize Alocasia Polly Plant →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Alocasia Polly Plant to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Alocasia Polly Plant is native to tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Alocasia Polly Plant grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

How and When to Prune Alocasia Polly Plant →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Alocasia Polly Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Alocasia Polly Plant Temperature Tolerance →

🌱 Propagation

Alocasia Polly Plant can be propagated by division into new individual plants.

Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
Repot the parent plant back into its original pot

How to Propagate Alocasia Polly Plant →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

Care Summary for Alocasia Polly Plant

Alocasia Polly Plant

Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 3ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Large, lush leaves 25

Browns easily 17

Survivor 10

Pest magnet 8

Fast grower 6

Easy to propagate 4

@@AggroResting

20 Plants

8,335 XP

03/11/2022

I love this plant! Mine likes a lot of drainage and it doing great in an orchid pot + NE window + mild grow light. Once you find the right rhythm, its really not as fussy as one might think!

Browns easily

Survivor

Alocasia Polly Plant plant photo by @AggroResting named Polly on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Lylith

4 Plants

121 XP

Norwich, England

02/28/2022

Sometimes cries but is beautiful and makes the room brighter

Large, lush leaves

Survivor

Alocasia Polly Plant plant photo by @Lylith named ♥️ on Greg, the plant care app.

@@aliceinmommyland

14 Plants

124 XP

01/26/2022

Despite giving this one more care and attention than many of my other plants, it’s currently down to one leaf. That one survivor IS vibrant green and thriving but like… it’s been this way for months. Time for another leaf, buddy.

Large, lush leaves

Survivor

Alocasia Polly Plant plant photo by @aliceinmommyland named Allie on Greg, the plant care app.

@@BenYuh

5 Plants

131 XP

Elmira, Ontario

06/18/2021

He has lovely leaves, I like him very much. He is cute.

Large, lush leaves

Survivor

Alocasia Polly Plant plant photo by @BenYuh named Olly Oxinfreed on Greg, the plant care app.

@@MistedLeavesandStone

62 Plants

2,065 XP

06/15/2021

Ali Asia Polly, my Diva, is finicky af. Currently in rescue mode...AGAIN 🙄...but such beautiful leaves when she’s pleased. Must have right conditions. Mine will be going into a climate controlled IKEA Milsbo or Detolf when they arrive.

Large, lush leaves

Survivor

Browns easily

Alocasia Polly Plant plant photo by @MistedLeavesandStone named Diva on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Mkrull13

11 Plants

265 XP

Fairfax, VA

06/03/2021

Not pet friendly and very temperamental! I moved and 2/3 leaves yellowed and died.

Browns easily

Pest magnet

Alocasia Polly Plant plant photo by @Mkrull13 named Britney on Greg, the plant care app.

@@RJG

125 Plants

249,597 XP

Austin, TX

06/02/2021

Very pretty ! Easy with Greg’s advice!

Large, lush leaves

Alocasia Polly Plant plant photo by @RJG named Paula on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Cmcconnachie

26 Plants

1,529 XP

Charlotte, NC

05/29/2021

More temperamental than all my other plants. Steadily dropped leaves until I realized her roots were bound, so I unbound them and she dropped more.

Browns easily

Alocasia Polly Plant plant photo by @Cmcconnachie named Alocasia Polly on Greg, the plant care app.

@@S.Vogel

25 Plants

430 XP

05/24/2021

It’s a rewarding plant but over time. They have a dormancy period and can drop all their leaves on you. They love humidity and bright indirect sunlight.

Survivor

Large, lush leaves

Easy to propagate

Alocasia Polly Plant plant photo by @S.Vogel named Polly on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Cjsplanties

22 Plants

842 XP

05/17/2021

Unlike some other alocasias this one seems to be pretty drought resistant.

Leaves on my plant grow moderately slowly in my east facing window. My plant prefers to not have direct sunlight and tends to burn easily and mine tends to prefers high humidity and heat.

Would recommend getting a humidity meter and humidifier for these plants!

Mine tends to attract pests, and tends to require me to check on it frequently.

I wipe the leaves down 2x week, normally with neem oil! I’m my experience it helps maintain a pest free plant!

Large, lush leaves

Pest magnet

Browns easily

Survivor

Alocasia Polly Plant plant photo by @Cjsplanties named Alocasia on Greg, the plant care app.

@@venusthightrap

52 Plants

1,821 XP

04/20/2021

I have not had much luck with this plant. She’s dropped all but one leaf and I can’t seem to keep that one leaf happy. I’ve tried so many different remedies but maybe this plant just isn’t meant for me!

Browns easily

Alocasia Polly Plant plant photo by @venusthightrap named Scarlett on Greg, the plant care app.

@@KatieGarcia

26 Plants

329 XP

Roseville, CA

04/08/2021

Ughhhhhhhhhhh I killed the first one I had but I think it was dying before I got it anyways my new one got spidermite that I got rid of quickly by just washing the plant. It hasn’t given me any new leaves which is sad. The amount it says to water here doesn’t seem like enough I though they like to be pretty moist I water mine at least once a week and it’s not dying so I think that’s a good sign.

Large, lush leaves

Browns easily

Alocasia Polly Plant plant photo by @KatieGarcia named Sad boi on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Bellyboo

20 Plants

543 XP

Riverview, FL

03/11/2021

It’s pretty but it’s had bugs twice and I’m on the verge of giving her up for adoption

Large, lush leaves

Alocasia Polly Plant plant photo by @Bellyboo named Sir Plancelot on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Urbanjungle

15 Plants

1,939 XP

Philadelphia, PA

02/16/2021

This plant has given me such a headache. I overwatered it the first day over a month and a half ago and I swear the soil still is not dry in a terra-cotta pot with drainage and perfectly aerated. I lost a ton of leaves and the surviving gives are thinning out. But all that said it looks like it’s putting up a fight. I hope it pulls through. Because it was gorgeous when I got delivered.