Alocasia Polly: Care Tips, Varieties, and Growth Guide

There are many Alocaisas, and Polly is probably the most popular variety among them. It’s quite petite, beautiful, and has a few quirks to its care.

Here will learn how to care for Alocasia Polly and what other subvarieties it might have. As a bonus, we will provide useful info like Alocasia Polly size, lifespan, toxicity, and many other facts. 

Has it happened to you before? You look out and think: what kind of plant is this? Now, apps can tell you exactly via plant ID technology.

Alocasia Description and Facts

Often this plant is referred to as Alocasia Amazonica Polly. Where does the “Amazonica” part come from? You see, this shrub is actually a hybrid cultivar. The “parent” was Allocasia Amazonica, the Southeast Asian species. Both shrubs are incredibly similar, but the hybrid is smaller, more compact.

Sometimes, Polly Alocasia is also called the African Mask Plant. The name Alocasia Polly African Mask is due to the pattern on its leaves. 

Alocasia Varieties

Like any other ornamental plant, Alocasia has many varieties. In fact, Polly is one of these varieties, mostly defined by a smaller stature. Alocasia polly full-size rarely exceeds an inch.

Polly has dark green, arrow-shaped leaves and bold white veins. Next, we will talk about the varieties of Polly itself. Most of them carry a similar stature of leaf pattern.

Alocasia Pink Polly

This one is a cultivar closely related to Polly, sometimes listed as a sport mutation. Pink Polly Alocasia has a rosy-pink tint to the stems, while the leaves remain arrow-shaped and dark with light veins. In some cases, though, even the leaves are pale and pink.

Two Alocasia Polly Pink mutations are especially popular:

• Pink Polly Mint Alocasia: Exceptionally compact with light pink leaves and slightly darker stems. Alocasia Pink Polly Mint may have common dark leaves and pink leaves.

• Pink Polly Ghost Alocasia: Even paler, giving the plant a ghostly appearance. Some Alocasia Pink Polly Ghost leaves are still dark green, giving the plant a high contrast.

Overall, the pink mutation is rarer than the standard Polly, and it is considered a distinct variety in trade.

Alocasia Polly Variegated

Variegation is a pattern on the leaves. Some form of variegation is common for most Alocasias, with only a few exceptions like Alocasia Melo. 

Polly naturally has variegation, but some rare mutations or cultivated selections of Polly have leaves that develop cream, yellow, or even half-moon white patches alongside the deep green. These mutations are called “Varigated” because the pattern on the leaves is wilder, more pronounced.

Variegated Alocasia Polly is extremely sought after by collectors.

Alocasia Polly Aurea

“Aurea” is another variation. It's known for its bright yellow or gold variegation, which significantly differentiates it from the standard green‐veined forms. That’s where the word “Aurea” comes from, meaning “gold”.

Golden hue can appear as variegation too, in stripes and splashes, increasing the plant’s value even more.

Alocasia Polly Care

Alocasia is not the ideal pick for the first plant. They would never earn a spot in the top 10 easiest to grow indoor plants. Yet, they are still manageable and provide an excellent opportunity to learn about tropical plant care.

Light Requirements

This tropical shrub prefers bright, indirect light. Some people are confused that this plant has a hard time with full sun; after all, it's tropical and has dark leaves. These cases often lead to burns.

Direct sun will scorch the leaves, but too little light will make growth weak and spindly.

East- or north-facing windows are a great spot to place the shrub. In the south/west windows, sheer curtains.

Water Requirements

The watering requirements are similar to most other plants. This plant spikes soil that is evenly moist but not soggy. Let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry out before watering again.

You need balance. Overwatering leads to yellow leaves & root rot. Underwatering leads to crispy edges.

Use filtered or distilled water if possible, as this shrub is sensitive to fluoride/chlorine in tap water.

Temperature and Humidity Requirements

Ideal temperature range is 65–80°F (18–27°C). 

While this plant takes some heat, it doesn't like the cold. Protect your plant from freezing in winter, away from drafts, AC vents, or cold windows.
Like other tropical shrubs, this one lives in high humidity (60–80%). If your environment is dry, use a humidifier or place it on a pebble tray with water.

Soil and Fertilizer Requirements

The best Alocasia Polly Soil Mix needs to be well-draining and contain diverse elements. Potting mix with perlite should do the job.

In growing seasons (summer and spring), feed the shrub with a balanced liquid fertilizer (diluted to half strength) every 2–4 weeks during spring and summer.

Pest Treatment

Though this shrub comes from the tropics, it is weak to many common pests: spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, and scale bugs.

These pests are detrimental to the plant, but not very mobile (especially scale bugs). You can simply brush them away. Wipe leaves and inspect undersides regularly. Neem oil or insecticidal soap works well for treatment, too, if the pests persist.

Alocasia Polly Propagation

Plly is a new addition to the world of flora. It’s a hybrid, and like many artificial hybrids, they have a hard time propagating by seeds. For this exact reason, most Alocasias are propagated via rhizomes (underground structures) or by stem cuttings. Both methods are relatively easy.

Root division steps:

1. Remove the shrub from the pot.

2. Look for separate rhizomes or offsets with at least one growing point (leaf or shoot).

3. Gently cut or pull apart the rhizomes.

4. Plant each division in a well-draining, aroid-friendly soil mix.

5. Keep the soil moist and place it in bright, indirect light. New leaves may take a few weeks to appear.

Stem cuttings steps:

1. Find a healthy leaf node and cut it, so that you have a little “stick”.

2. Place the cutting in water or moist soil until roots develop out of the node.

3. Keep the cutting in a warm, humid environment and out of direct sunlight.

Toxicity and Safety

It’s often in nature that we see beautiful plants being toxic. Alocasia is beautiful and, unfortunately, toxic, too.

This shrub contains calcium oxalate crystals. If chewed or ingested, these sharp crystals can cause:

• Burning or irritation in the mouth, lips, and throat.

• Swelling of the tongue and throat (can cause difficulty swallowing or breathing in severe cases).

• Nausea, vomiting, and stomach upset.

This is toxic to pets and people. Oxalate crystals are a widely encountered defense mechanism, used by many tropical plants, like Dieffenbachia. Keep the pets and small children away from the Allocasia pot.

Benefits and Use

Allocaisa are so much more than good looks. This plant can bring not only beauty to your home, but also better air and even cash.

A Guide for a Plant Enthusiast

There’s one app that can help you become a better gardener. It can recognize all kinds of flora and help you with care.

AI Plant Finder

What is AI Plant Finder? It is an AI plant identification and care app, available for both iOS and Android devices.

The app excels in identification and many other functions:

• Plant Identification: Snap or upload a photo, and the app identifies the plant using AI. Covers over 300,000+ species, including flowers, succulents, and trees.

• Disease & Pest Detection: Upload a photo of a sick or infested plant, and the app suggests possible issues and treatments.

• Care Reminders: Set alerts for watering, repotting, fertilizing, pruning, and more.

• Light Meter & Water Calculator: Tools to measure light levels and estimate watering needs.

• My Garden: Maintain a personal plant collection with species records and care tips.

• AI Chatbot Assistant: Get tailored advice on plant care, pest control, fertilizing, repotting, and watering.

AI Plant Finder is free, so you can try it out right now. Maybe it’s what you need to become a better gardener.

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