The Alocasia Polly, also known as the African Mask Plant, is a stunning indoor plant with magnificent foliage that steals the show. The genus and species are most likely Alocasia amazonica and the cultivar is “Polly”. You may also see it called “Kris Plant”. Regardless of which one I actually have, the care is the same whether it’s been labeled African Mask Plant or Alocasia Polly.
Many gardeners struggle to grow it, as it’s tricky to grow indoors and if it’s not happy, it’ll go downhill fast. The three key points of keeping this plant looking good are exposure, watering, and an above-humidity requirement. These African Mask Plant care tips will help you out.
Alocasia amazonica 'Polly'
Alocasia Polly: An Overview
It’s hard to go wrong with the genus Alocasia, especially a relatively recent cultivar known as Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’. It truly is a beautiful plant and very easy to recognize from its leathery-looking leaves.
This plant shares the same family (Araceae) as many other popular houseplants: anthuriums, pothos, monsteras, philodendrons, aglaonemas, peace lilies, arrowhead plants, and zz plants. I always find this interesting as plants in the same family share similar characteristics.
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As I mentioned in the introduction, Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ is a cultivar. The more detailed version is that it’s a variety of Alocasia x amazonica. What makes ‘Polly’ different from its parent, Alocasia x amazonica, is its size.
There’s only one Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’, but did you know that this is not the only cultivar produced through selective cultivation of its parent plant, Alocasia x amazonica? And that horticulturists have actually produced yet more cultivars using ‘Polly’ as a parent plant?
Here are a few Alocasia varieties:
- Original Alocasia x amazonica: Daughter of Sanderiana x Watsoniana.
- Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’: Daughter of Amazonica.
- Alocasia amazonica ‘Ivory Coast’: Daughter of Amazonica.
- Alocasia amazonica ‘Bambino Arrow’: Daughter of Polly.
- Alocasia ‘Mandalay’: Daughter of Polly.
Don’t forget, there are quite a few Alocasia species and cultivars that look similar to the ones mentioned here.
Look at how beautiful this Alocasia Polly is. Of course, it’s growing in a greenhouse!
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African Mask Plant Traits
- Uses: They’re most commonly sold as tabletop plants in 6″ pots. You can also find them in 4″ and 8″ pots.
- Size: Alocasia Polly will max out around 2′ x 2′. Other Alocasias can reach 4-6′.
- Growth Rate: Moderate if all conditions are to its liking. This plant not only loves humidity but warm temps too.
- Flowers: It has a green spathe-like flower. As an indoor plant, it doesn’t happen on a regular basis if at all. The foliage is what makes this plant desirable.
- Big Draw: This is easy to see - Alocasia Polly has those standout deep green leaves with pronounced veins!
As they grow, they not only get taller but spread too. The foliage gets large so it may become a low, wide floor plant (unless you have a lot of room on a table!).
One thing to note about this plant: It goes through a period of dormancy, usually in the fall or winter months. The foliage completely (or almost completely) dies back and then comes back in spring.
It grows from underground stems called rhizomes that spread and produce roots, like iris.
Alocasia Polly Light Requirements
Like many other houseplants, the African Mask Plant needs bright, indirect light. This would be medium or moderate light.
It doesn’t do well in low light - the leaves will get smaller and the plant won’t grow. On the other hand, keep it out of the direct sun and away from the hot glass of a window with a south or west exposure. This will cause sunburn.
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You may have to rotate your plant every two months or three months so it gets light on all sides.
In the winter, you may have to move your plants to a brighter location.
Alocasia Polly Watering
I never let mine completely dry out. As a general rule, I let the soil mix dry out 3/4 of the way before watering again.
In the warmer months, I water My African Mask Plant every six to seven days and every twelve to fourteen days in the winter months. Adjust the frequency to your environment and how the plant is drying out. I really can’t tell you how often to water yours because there are many variables that come into play. Here are a few: the pot size, the type of soil it’s planted in, the location where it’s growing, and your home’s environment. As much as this plant doesn’t like to dry out, it doesn’t like to stay constantly wet.
When my plant is semi-dormant, I water it every fourteen days or so.
If your African Mask Plant has yellow leaves, it’s most likely due to overwatering or underwatering. You can cut those leaves off.
Humidity
A moderate to a high level of humidity is key to African Mask Plant care. A lack of humidity makes this beauty tricky to grow. Other plants native to the sub-tropics/tropics do fine in our drier home environments.
Here’s what I do to increase the humidity factor:
- The grow pot sits on a saucer filled with rock. I keep the saucer 3/4 full of water. Just make sure the roots don’t sit in the water because that’ll bring on root rot.
- I remove the plant from its decorative container and take the plant to my deep kitchen sink. Then, I give it a spray and let it sit there for an hour or so.
- I have a humidity meter in my dining room. I run my Canopy Humidifiers when the humidity reads low.
If you’ve got a mister bottle, your plant would appreciate a spray two or three times a week.
How much, if at all, you need to increase the humidity factor depends on how dry your home is and how your plant is doing.
My African Mask Plant has small brown leaf tips. This is in response to the dry air.
Temperature
This plant loves warm temperatures. It’ll tolerate cooler temps but won’t grow as much and be as happy.
Fertilizer For Alocasia
I fertilize my plants from mid-February through October. When my plants are putting new growth and new leaves, it’s my sign to start feeding. For you in a different climate zone with a shorter growing season, feeding two or three times per year may do it for your indoor plants.
I feed my container plants indoors and outdoors with Grow Big, liquid kelp, and Maxsea three to seven times during the growing season. By the way, I alternate fertilizers and don’t use them all together.
Other options you might consider are would be kelp/seaweed fertilizer and Joyful Dirt. Both are popular and get great reviews.
Don’t over-fertilize (use too great a quantity and/or do it too often) because salts can build up and lead to root burn. The lower the light, the less often you’ll fertilize.
ALOCASIA POLLY PLANT CARE | dormancy, propagation + more! | alocasia amazonica
Alocasia Soil Mix Recipe
The potting mix needs to be aerated and well-draining. My recipe is a combo of 1/3 coco chips, 1/3 pumice (perlite is fine too if that’s what you have), and 1/3 potting soil. I also throw in a few handfuls of charcoal because I have it on hand. The charcoal isn’t necessary but it sweetens the soil and aids in drainage.
I also add in a handful or two of organic compost when planting because this plant likes a rich mix. I top dress with a 1/4″ layer of worm compost with a 1″ layer of compost over that.
Repotting/Transplanting
Repotting your African Mask Plant every two to four years will be fine because it prefers to grow a bit tight in its pot. When I repot mine (which will happen in the next month or two), I’ll go up 1 pot size - from a 6″ grow pot to an 8″ grow pot.
This is best done in spring or summer; early fall is fine if you’re in a warm climate. Avoid repotting any of your house plants in the winter if you can because it’s their time to rest. The faster your plant is growing, the sooner it’ll need repotting.
It’s best if the pot has drainage holes so the excess water can flow out the bottom of the pot.
African Mask Plant Propagation
The best way to propagate Alocasia Polly plants is by division.
It’s best done in the warmer months: spring, summer, and into early fall (if you’re in a climate with warmer winters like me). The process is similar to dividing a ZZ Plant.
Pruning
Not much is needed. The main reason to prune your African Mask Plant is to take off the occasional yellow leaf.
Just make sure your Pruners Are Clean and Sharp before you do any pruning.
Pests
Mine hasn’t gotten any. I know they can be susceptible to mealybugs, especially deep inside the new growth. These white, cotton-like pests like to hang out in the nodes and under the leaves. I simply blast them off (lightly!) in the kitchen sink with the spray and that usually does the trick. If not, I use the cotton swab dipped in alcohol and water method.
Also, keep your eye out for scale insects, spider mites, and aphids. It’s best to take action as soon as you see any pest because they multiply like crazy.
Pests can travel from houseplant to houseplant in no time fast so make you get them under control pronto.
Pet Safety
Alocasia Polly, like all plants in the Araceae family, is considered to be toxic.
African Mask Plant Care FAQs
How big do African Mask Plants get?
The Alocasia Polly will max out around 2 feet; as a hybrid, it was bred to be a smaller size. Other Alocasias can reach 4-6 feet.
Why is my African Mask Plant dying?
It goes through a period of dormancy or semi-dormancy, usually in late fall or winter. This can leave you confused and thinking your plant is dying. The foliage completely (or almost completely) dies back and then comes back sometime in spring. Other reasons could be a watering or light exposure issue or lack of humidity. This plant is known to be difficult to grow indoors, especially for the long haul. If you’re a beginning houseplant gardener, this isn’t a good one to start with!
How often to water African Mask Plant?
As a general rule, I let the soil mix dry out 3/4 of the way before watering again. I never let it completely dry out. An African Mask Plant likes moist soil, not soggy soil. I water it less often when it’s in the dormancy phase.
Why is my African Mask Plant drooping?
Drooping can happen because of a watering issue; either too much or too little. You can also confuse drooping with the plant going into its dormancy phase.
Why is my African Mask Plant leaves turning brown? Why is my African Mask Plant leaves dripping?
The leaves can get brown tips, this is in response to the dry air. If the spots are larger, this could be due to a light exposure that’s too low or too much water.
When plants are getting overwatered they might sweat out the excess water by dripping water from their leaves.
Why is my African Mask Plant not growing?
The three key factors for keeping this plant looking good and growing are exposure, watering, and an above-humidity requirement.
