TheAlocasia amazonica‘Polly , ’ or African Mask flora , is an evergreen tropical perennial houseplant with stunning saturnine green , arrow - mould leaves and lob , wavy edges . The striking lineament of Alocasia ‘ Polly ’ is its glossy unripened leaves contrasting with their with creamy - bloodless nervure . Also called the Amazon Elephant Ear , Alocasia amazonica‘Polly ’ produce spathe bloom like to calla lilies .
Alocasia‘Polly ’ houseplants have summary growth and are easy to originate indoors . The main characteristic of thisunusual houseplantis the unique triangular leave-taking . Although African mask industrial plant flower , it rarely blooms indoors . However , most the great unwashed grow African Mask plants for their fascinating foliage .
This article is a complete care guide for theAlocasia amazonica‘Polly . ’ At the remainder of the clause , you ’ll detect helpful tips on check that the eye - catching recurrent houseplant prosper indoors .
How to Care for Alocasia Amazonica ‘Polly’
Alocasia ‘ Polly ’ grows good in bright collateral light in a loose , fertile potting mix with excellent drain . Water the African Mask industrial plant when the top 1 ” ( 2.5 cm ) of soil is wry and mist the expectant leaves to increase humidness . Keep temperatures between 65 ° F and 80 ° F ( 18 ° nose candy – 27 ° snow ) and fertilize every month during the growing time of year .
Alocasia Polly Plant Facts
Alocasia amazonica ‘ Polly ’ is also called the African Mask plant and Elephant pinna
Alocasia‘Polly ’ is a compact cultivar of theAlocasia amazonicatropical plant . It ’s thought thatAlocasia‘Polly ’ is a hybrid of two mintage — Alocasia watsonianaandAlocasia sanderiana . Despite the cultivar being calledamazonica , it ’s not known where thisAlocasiahybrid originated .
Alocasia‘Polly ’ is prized for its spectacular glossy arrowhead leaves with expectant protruding silvery - green or white-hot veins . ‘ Polly ’ plant grow up to 2 foot . ( 0.6 m ) improbable with a similar - sized ranch .
TheAlocasia‘Polly ’ has spreading rootstalk base that make the flora easy to propagate
Common names for theAlocasia amazonica‘Polly ’ admit African Mask works , Elephant Ears , and Kris plant . These gens all refer to the characteristics of the triangular leaves . For example , theAlocasialeaves depend like the shape of an elephant ’s ears or a traditional African Mask . The nameKrisplant is because it resemble the wavy blade of a kris or Kalis dagger .
African Mask Plant (Alocasia Amazonica) Flowers
Alocasia amazonica‘Polly ’ produces spathe flower similar topeace liliesor calla lilies . The African Mask plant life ’s heyday have a flowering spadix that looks like a foresightful spike . A spathe or colorful leaf - similar bract surrounds this inflorescence spindle . African Mask flowers are creamy - white to yellow , surrounded by a scant green spathe .
AlthoughAlocasia amazonica‘Polly ’ is a specie of tropical flowering plant life , they seldom flower indoors . However , the bloom are undistinguished and are not as brilliant as the large arrowhead foliage the plant acquire .
Alocasia Polly Growth Rate
Under ideal stipulation , Alocasiaplantsare fast - growing evergreen repeated plants . large plants may grow one or two new leaves a calendar month , whereas younger plants have a slower growth charge per unit .
Like all species ofAlocasia , theAlocasia‘Polly ’ has a dormant menstruum . During this fourth dimension , the leaves will pass and buy the farm . However , after this clip , the plants become rejuvenated and start turn new leaves again .
Alocasia Amazonica’ Polly’ Care Guide
Let ’s look in more detail at how to look after an African Mask plant life ( Alocasia amazonica‘Polly ’ ) at home .
Alocasia ‘Polly’ Light Needs
To deal in good order for your Alocasia ‘ Polly ’ plant , give it plenty of collateral sunshine
Alocasia amazonica‘Polly ’ require plenty of bright indirect light to thrive indoors . It ’s important to protect the ‘ Polly ’ plant from direct sunlight to prevent scorching the foliage . Also , avoid puttingAlocasia‘Polly ’ plants in dark elbow room or constant shade . The growth will slow , and you ’ll lose the vivacious leaf color .
The native habitat of Elephant ’s capitulum plants is intropical forestsbeneath the tree diagram canopy . AlthoughAlocasialeaves seem leathery and robust , verbatim sunlight can cauterize the leave and cause them to miss their colour .
The sound location to growAlocasia‘Polly ’ plants is near a bright window . But if the windowpane face south or Occident , it ’s best to protect the tropical industrial plant behind a sheer curtain .
Although they grow on the forest flooring , African Mask plants are notlow - visible light plant . deficient light do the leafage to miss its color , and the flora finally dies . Even if there ’s some light , the African Mask industrial plant wo n’t grow well and suffer from leaf discolouration .
The Best Soil for African Mask Plant
The good soil forAlocasia amazonica‘Polly ’ is a well - draining , air potting mix . you may commingle one partregular houseplant soil , one part peat moss , and one part perlite . This combination of soil element creates a porous , fertile growing culture medium that hold some wet but allows excess water to drain fast .
When caring for African Mask plants , the soil intermixture is one of the most decisive factor . Peat mosshelps duplicate the decomposing organic matter on the woodland floor . amend the land with perlite , coarse horticultural sand , barque shavings , or charcoal , facilitate boost drainage .
It ’s respectable to remember thatAlocasia‘Polly ’ plants like moist dirt but ca n’t survive in soggy soil . So , the potting mix should be light-colored enough that it partially dry between lachrymation . sign that the soil is too dense or punishing include the followers :
It ’s good to lighten up the potting stain by amending it with perlite or gravel in these cases .
How to Water Alocasia ‘Polly’
You should irrigate an Alocasia ‘ Polly ’ works often enough to keep the plant roots somewhat moist . The best tearing method acting is to urine often with little amounts of piss . Before watering , always secure the top 1 ” ( 2.5 atomic number 96 ) of soil is dry before tearing . The watering frequency depend on how fast the top layer of soil dries .
Letting the dirt ironic before watering insure that you never overwater your houseplant . Watering too often get the roots to rot , which will eventually pop the Alocasia industrial plant . If you do n’t irrigate enough , the roots will not get enough moisture , and the plant will wilt .
Most houseplants fly high when youdrench the soil between lacrimation . However , withAlocasiaplants , that could gamble cause beginning bunkum . So , provide enough H2O to reach to the root and only pee when the grunge part dries .
Here are some ready to hand tips on water African Mask plants :
Temperature Requirements to Grow Alocasia ‘Polly’ at Home
African Mask works thrive in tender temperatures . Generally , average room temperatures between 65 ° degree Fahrenheit and 80 ° F ( 18 ° C – 27 ° century ) are idealistic for goodish maturation . If the room temperature dips below 60 ° F ( 15 ° C ) , the plant can arrest mature as it go into dormancy . If the temperature is too low , theAlocasia‘Polly ’ will initiate shake off leaves .
When originate any coinage ofAlocasiaplant , it ’s essential to obviate temperature extreme point . In winter , keep theAlocasiaelephant ’s spike plant in a warm way , but away from a raging radiator . Also , ensure that cold draft from window do n’t bear upon the plant . In summertime , assure that the plant does n’t stand in the air - conditioning flow .
When growing in warm , bright condition , you may expect rapid growth from anAlocasia‘Polly ’ flora . you’re able to also take the potted tropical houseplants alfresco during the warm summer month .
Alocasia amazonicagrows outside in zone 10 through 12 and want high humidness . If you rise a potted ‘ Polly ’ works outside in summer , bring it inside when the temperature falls below 65 ° F ( 18 ° degree Celsius ) .
Humidity Needs for Alocasia Polly Houseplants
Alocasia amazonica‘Polly ’ has high humidness requirements . menage tune is generally too dry for African Mask industrial plant , and the glossy leaves can become dry and crispy . Increase humidness by misting the farewell with filter out tap weewee at least twice a week . Warm , humid weather condition indoors are pure for riotous , healthyAlocasiaplant growth .
Here are some other handy tips for lift indoor humidity tier for growingAlocasiaplants :
The Best Fertilizer for Growing African Mask Plants (Alocasia Amazonica)
African Mask plants require fertilizing during the grow season . apply a diluted , balanced houseplant fertiliser and feed the plant life every two to four weeks . FertilizingAlocasia‘Polly ’ plant life from leaping until the end of August encourage fast ontogenesis . Your Amazon “ elephant ’s spike ” industrial plant should produce a leaf every month in summertime .
Fertilizing tropical houseplant can be catchy . Mineral salts can build up in the grime and cause root burn . Therefore , it ’s a just musical theme to dilute a liquid fertiliser to half strength . Or you may use slow - release fertilizer that lasts for several month .
In most cases , it ’s good to apply anatural houseplant fertilizer . Organic fertilizer contain all the mineral and nutrients fast - grow plants involve . Also , they are not as harsh as chemical fertilizers , and you could avoid nutrient burn .
Repotting Elephant Ear Plants (Alocasia Amazonica)
You may need to repot a healthyAlocasia amazonica‘Polly ’ industrial plant every year . The best time to transfer an Amazon Elephant Ear plant is in outpouring when emergence is vigorous . Repotting also let you refresh the potting soil and check the rhizome roots for any signs of damage .
When repotting anAlocasia‘Polly ’ plant , always choose a container one sizing up . This allows the solution more elbow room to grow . It would be best if you also repot the plants using a fresh potting mix .
To repot anAlocasiaplant , off the plant from its container . bump off all excess dirt from the roots . Half - occupy a new skunk with an appropriate potting mix . position the roots in the pot so that theAlocasia amazonicaplant is arise at the same tallness as before . Fill the remaining space with dirt and piddle thoroughly .
Pruning Alocasia ‘Polly’ Houseplants
The only reason to prune African Mask plants is to remove dead or damaged leave of absence . All you require to do is clip off the sometime foliage with clean pruning shear near the stem ’s base . BecauseAlocasia amazonicaplants are quick growers , pruning does not sham plant growth .
Propagating AlocasiaAmazonica‘Polly’
The best way to propagateAlocasia‘Polly ’ plants is by origin division . The rootstock roots grow offsets that you may secern from the female parent industrial plant and replant in a new pot . For best result , propagate ‘ Polly ’ plants in spring .
To propagateAlocasia‘Polly ’ transfer the plant from its container and remove filth from the ascendent . Look for offset at the base of the flora and softly separate them . Replant theAlocasiaoffsets in fresh potting stain and keep in a warm , humid environs until the roots look . Then , care for the industrial plant as usual .
Pests that Affect Alocasia ‘Polly’ Plants
Spider mites can often touch pottedAlocasia‘Polly ’ plants . Use a neem oil color solvent to get free of thetiny houseplant pest . Mix 2 tsp . neem oil colour and 1 tsp . liquid dish soap with a quart ( 1 cubic decimeter ) of tepid H2O in a spray bottleful . Liberally spray both side of meat of the foliage with thenatural bug solutionto kill spider jot .
Spider mites are a type of destructive plant pestthat are hard to spot , but they can de-escalate your plant ’s growth if you do n’t get disembarrass of them . wanderer hint can also promptly infest other houseplant .
Disease Problems with African Mask Plants
antecedent rotting can affect African Mask plant life growing . However , root rot is avoidable if you always waterAlocasiaplants correctly . Overly wet grunge stimulate roots to decay and decompose . This eventually causes irreparable damage to the plant ’s roots .
The preindication of root rot onAlocasia‘Polly ’ plants are mordant patches that look at the base of the plant ’s roots and foliation . By this meter , it ’s commonly not possible to economise a dyingAlocasiaplant .
Here are a few bakshis to avoid root rotting onAlocasiaand other tropic houseplant :
Are Alocasia ‘Polly’ Plants Toxic?
Alocasia amazonica‘Polly ’ is vicious for qat and dogs . TheASPCA saysthat “ Elephant ’s Ear ” works can cause unwritten pique and bother if dogs or cats ingest any of the plant matter . Other signs ofAlocasia‘Polly ’ poisoning are drooling , disgorgement , and difficulty swallow .
African Mask plants are also toxic to humanity . ingest the farewell can stimulate burning or blister in the backtalk and pharynx , pain when withdraw , sickness , vomiting and looseness .
FAQs About Alocasia ‘Polly’ Care
AlthoughAlocasia amazonicaplants are by and large well-situated to care for , you should be aware of a few issues .
My Alocasia ‘Polly’ seems to be dying, what should I do?
It may seem that yourAlocasia‘Polly ’ plant is dying if it ’s in a period of dormancy . Cold weather condition or dry soil make the plant to stop growing for a while . During this time , leaves can change state brown and come off . However , the flora should come back to life in the bound .
However , other acquire conditions can affect your works ’s growth . For example , miry filth can cause root rot and pop your plant . Or if the ‘ Polly ’ plant has been in the dark for too long , it can start to die .
What are brown spots on African mask plant leaves?
A lack of humidity often work browned blot seem onAlocasia‘Polly ’ plant leaves . So , it ’s crucial to increase humidness by becloud theAlocasiaplant ’s leaves daily and making sure it gets enough — but not too much — water .
Why Alocasia Amazonica leaves turning yellow?
lachrymation event are normally the theme cause of yellowing leaves . Either too much water and overly damp dirt or dry potting premix can cause leaves to turn yellow . Another reason for yellowAlocasiaplant folio is too much sunlight .
How long does Alocasia ‘Polly’ dormancy last for?
Alocasia amazonica‘Polly ’ goes into quiescency during the winter . From later fall until spring , growth stop , and the foliage may choke off . You should keep the soil moist during this sentence but bear off from watering or fecundate the works . TheAlocasia‘Polly ’ plant should start growing again in natural spring .
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