Alocasia Polly 'African Mask'

Description: Alocasia 'Polly', also known as 'African Mask', is admired for its striking foliage and architectural shape, making it a dramatic addition to any indoor plant collection. Its compact size makes it suitable for tabletops, shelves, and small spaces.

🌿 Botanical Name: Alocasia x amazonica 'Polly'

🐾 Pet Warning: Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, causing oral irritation, pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. It's strongly recommended to keep this plant out of reach of pets.

💧 Care Level: Moderate to High. Alocasia 'Polly' requires specific attention to humidity, watering, and light, making it somewhat challenging for beginners but rewarding for those willing to meet its needs.

📏 Approximate Size: Alocasia 'Polly' typically grows to about 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) in height and width. Its distinctive feature is its glossy, arrow-shaped leaves that are dark green with pronounced white or silver veins, resembling the face of an African mask.

🌞 Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate medium light levels. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch its leaves, and too dim light, which can lead to leggy growth and loss of leaf coloration.

💧 Water: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil begins to dry out, using distilled or rainwater to avoid mineral buildup and leaf spotting.

💦 Humidity: Requires high humidity levels to thrive. Employ a humidifier, mist the plant regularly, or place it on a pebble tray with water to increase the surrounding humidity.

🌡️ Temperature: Thrives in warm conditions, with ideal temperatures ranging from 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C). Protect from temperatures below 60°F (15°C), as cold can cause damage.

❄️ Hardiness: Not frost-tolerant and best grown as an indoor plant in most climates, or outdoors in tropical climates with adequate protection.

🌱 Fertilizing: Fertilize every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, liquid fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength. Reduce fertilizing during the winter months.

🔄 Re-potting: Re-pot in the spring every 1 to 2 years, using a well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter. Choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the current one, as 'Polly' does not like to be overly root-bound.

🌱 Propagation: Propagate through division during repotting. Ensure each division includes at least one growth point for successful propagation. Be cautious during the process to maintain the health of both the parent and new plants.