Part of this is because there are many species and hybrids … Alocasia Polly (African Mask) Plant Care Read More » Continue to care for it, and the rapid growth will return the following growing season. In fact, it has been noted as being the titleholder of some of the biggest horticultural myths in the large Aroid family, which Alocasia Amazonica is a member. Many natural fertilizers are much more gentle and are a great option to help avoid nutrient burn. Depending on outdoor temperatures and light conditions coming through the window where the Alocasia Amazonica is situated, during the growing season you may have to water one to two times weekly. The Alocasia Polly, also known as the Alocasia x Amazonica and African Mask Plant is a very recognizable plant that you'll probably have seen before on social media or in gardening stores. For the best growth, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Despite the fact that it’s a sizeable plant, it still look airy and elegant thanks to the tall, smooth stems that grow out of a tuber. You can combine one part regular houseplant soil, one part peat moss, and one part perlite. Even if you are lucky enough to have your plant bloom, any seeds produced are likely sterile so the only way to propagate additional plants is through dividing offsets from the mother. You are trying to replicate decomposing soil found on the floor of a forest. Always follow directions on mixing amounts and frequency of use. Stop the end of August, then start the cycle again at the beginning of the next spring. Never place it in direct light as this causes its leaves to burn. If placed in a location lacking sufficient light the plant loses its color, including the leaf veins and can eventually die. It has thick, upright stems that carry very large, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves with wavy edges. Depending on the humidity in your climate and the time of year this may mean watering every few days to once every 2 weeks. In their native environment, the parents of Alocasia Amazonica can usually be found growing near a source of water where their roots stay moist. How To Care For Alocasia Amazonica: Grow in lightweight soil that drains well and water when the top of the soil begins to dry. The same applies if you are potting it from scratch. Being a descendant of rainforest plants Alocasia amazonica grows best in humid conditions. is a genus of approximately 70 species, including some that potentially grow leaves more than 6 feet tall. Alocasia Amazonica is a hybrid from the parents Alocasia longiloba x Alocasia sanderiana. Planting Alocasia polly and Alocasia amazonica Soil. It is advised to wait for the soil to dry before watering it again. Pot in a suitably sized container with drain holes and with the appropriate soil mixture, as outlined in the soil section and in the repotting section. The Alocasia Elephant Ear plant (Alocasia amazonica) is a stunning ornamental houseplant with large arrow-shaped leaves, pronounced white veins, and wavy edges.Also called the African mask plant, the Alocasia amazonica is a tropical flowering plant that thrives indoors. If the plant is allowed to dry out, leaves can turn color and die, and the plant can go into dormancy. When cold weather sets in, move container-grown elephant's ears inside and enjoy them as houseplants. This plant commonly called Alocasia Polly is known as African Mask or Elephant Ear for its incredible color, shape, and resistance of its foliage that is hard, rub-resistant, and arrow-shaped. These plants require a humid environment for the best growth. How to care for Alocasia Amazonica leaves rot. Fill a spray bottle up with room temperature water and mist the plant’s foliage once or twice weekly. Be sure to situate the plant in a location that is out of reach of children and pets. In addition, during the dormant season of winter, you may only need to water once every week to two weeks. A well-grown plant may need yearly repotting. This refers to their polypoid nature, although this was later proved wrong, thus strengthening the idea that the A. amazonica and A. poly could indeed be the same plants. You can use a peat-based soil, though be sure to mix it with perlite and/or some bark chips to keep the soil loose for good drainage and aeration. However, if you live in an extremely hot climate, allow the plant to receive bright indirect light. Like other aroids, many species of Alocasia can be grown as houseplants, or outdoors in mild climates. The Alocasia micholitziana ‘Frydek’ plant, commonly called the Green Velvet Alocasia resembles Alocasia Polly in size and leaf shape/color, but it is a little different and much harder to find for purchase. It’s best to do this while the plant is actively growing in spring through summer. Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener and the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home. This is not a drought-tolerant indoor plant, but it is relatively forgiving if you forget to water it from time to time. In fact, those living in an area where the temperatures and light conditions are not intense can place it in a location that receives direct sunlight. In terms of nursery sales, this hybrid is commonly available as a houseplant. When the soil feels just moist to the touch an inch down, it is time to water. Use a well-balanced liquid fertilizer or a liquid blend for houseplants and apply every two to four weeks at half-strength. If your Alocasia Amazonica is healthy, there’s nothing to worry about. The air around your Alocasia Polly, or Alocasia amazonica, should also stay relatively humid. These plants should absolutely be kept moist, but as with almost all plant species it’s not a good idea to keep the soil too wet or root rot and other problems might become an issue. Whether you are new to growing Alocasias or are just adding a new variety to your indoor collection, continue reading because we’ve taken all the mystery out of properly growing an Alocasia Amazonica. The biggest threat is root rot due to overly wet conditions. Extended periods of dryness can result in brown leaf tips or edges. This is a smaller growing plant which was developed for the houseplant trade as most of the other Alocasias get large. When it comes to the best soil to grow Alocasia Amazonica, you will get the best performance and healthiest growth from well-aerated soil that drains quickly. The elephant's ear is a hybrid that has become a fairly popular ornamental house plant, and is one of the easiest to find and buy from the Alocasia genus. Water when the top of the soil just starts feeling like it’s drying and make sure the pot has bottom drainage and it’s growing in a lightweight soil that drains well. Place the plant near a light source, like a window. When it comes to the plant’s origin and name, Alocasia Amazonica has created quite the confusion over the years, including those in scientific community of horticulture. Heavy soils like many potting soils have a tendency to retain too much moisture leaving the soil soggy. Before planting your alocasias, mix 2 pounds (1 kg.) As you stated Alocasia Amazonica is a hybrid while Alocasia sanderiana is a scientifically described species. Place the Alocasia Amazonica in the pot, adding or removing additional soil if needed so it won’t be planted any deeper than it was originally growing. Alocasia Amazonica is a perennial herb. Soil: Use a fast draining peat based potting mix. This is a smaller growing plant which was developed for the houseplant trade as most of the other Alocasias get large. of slow-release fertilizer per 100 square feet (9.5 sq. If 'Alocasia polly' is searched on the web, you'll be surprised to find that the original name for this hybrid was the A. poly with only one 'L'. Elephant's ear is a poisonous houseplant and should be kept away from children and pets that may eat or bite at the plant. But, that’s not all. Like most tropical plants, they thrive in warm temperatures and high humidity and crave plenty of water. As flores são em espádice branco, semelhantes ao lírio-da-paz (Spatiphyllum), mas é raro seu florescimento no país. As you stated Alocasia Amazonica is a hybrid while Alocasia sanderiana is a scientifically described species. This is not a drought-tolerant indoor plant, but it is relatively forgiving if you forget to water it from time to time. If the plant isn’t receiving enough humidity, the edges will brown. In terms of watering your Elephant’s Ear plant, this means that you should make sure that the soil is constantly moist. A better choice is A. Amazonica, which grows to only about 2 feet by 2 feet. Large, they can reach 2 ft. in length (60 cm) and 1 ft. in width (30 cm). To learn more about how to improve humidity for your indoor plants, read my article here. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks. Should I stick with the peat and perlite or something different? You will observe the growth of new shoots leading to a flourishing Alocasia Polly plant. Alocasia x Amazonica, also known as Alocasia ‘Polly,’ features shiny, deep green leaves with angular edges and contrasting white veining. When temperatures are too cold, which is usually below 55°F, the plant can go into complete dormancy and the foliage can die to the ground. If you feel you’ve caught the problem early, you can take steps to check for rot damage to the bulb and possibly save the Alocasia. Pots of any material work well provided they have a bottom drain hole. If you are buying your alocasia, make sure you double-check that it already comes with a proper soil mixture. Inspect the sections for signs of rot damage, as the roots and bulb will be soft and mushy. Repotting into a container that is too large means there’s a good chance of the soil remaining soggy and too wet. This combination of soil ingredients creates a porous, fertile growing medium that holds some moisture but allows excess water to drain fast. Alocasia Black velvet’s care involves an average amount of water along with dry, well-drained soil. Although it may seem daunting trying to replicate rainforest conditions inside the home, creating humidity for houseplants is relatively easy. The foliage will only re-sprout when temperatures warm again in spring and this can take several months. These plants should absolutely be kept moist, but as with almost all plant species it’s not a good idea to keep the soil too wet or root rot and other problems might become an issue. Also known as the African mask plant, alocasia (Alocasia spp.) Just be sure to bring it back indoors before winter comes calling. Alocasia amazonica Polly Care & Info Guide Light: Thrives best in well lit, bright conditions, however direct sunlight will scorch the leaves. This refers to their polypoid nature, although this was later proved wrong, thus strengthening the idea that the A. amazonica and A. poly could indeed be the same plants. It is advised to wait for the soil to dry before watering it again. If the potting mix you used to create the soil mixture contained a slow-release blend, you probably won’t have to apply an additional fertilizer application for several months. Regardless of the confusion, Alocasia Amazonica’s exotic foliage displays will add a stunning appeal wherever it is located in the home or outdoors, weather permitting. Resembling the ears of an elephant, lustrous, brilliant green, paddle-shaped leaves are borne on strong stems. Always follow the fertilizer’s package instructions on amounts. The types of soil most commonly used for this plant are loam and sand. When growing elephant's ears in pots, choose a stable container with ample room to support the plant's growth. However, the damp conditions in which these plants prosper is unfortunately conducive to a range of serious fungal and bacterial diseases, which can eventually result in the ultimate demise of your Alocasia.To avoid such issues from arising, try adding a handful of perlite into the potting medium. Alocasia sanderiana, also known as the Kris plant, has extremely dark green foliage and provides an exotic-looking houseplant.Its long, pointed leaves are have white veins and scalloped edges outlined in white. Summary. Due to the calcium oxalate crystals contained in the entire plant, Alocasia Amazonica is highly toxic to people, cats, dogs and horses. Alocasia Amazonica Care. Maintain a regular watering schedule and keep the soil of your Alocasia Polly moist, but not wet or saturated. ", The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our, The 5 'It' Plants of 2021, According to the Pros, Five Houseplants That Will Hurt Your Pets, How to Grow and Care for the Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow Plants, 3 Ways to Keep Tropical Plants All Winter. Root rot is mostly caused by poor cultural practices and is relatively easy to prevent. Amazon elephant's ear tends to be a heavy feeder during its growing period and will respond well to applications of diluted balanced fertilizer. Elephants Ear Care. Alocasia Amazonica Polly ‘African Mask Plant’ LIGHT The plant prefers being indoors and having indirect light. This is a challenging houseplant, but don’t despair! Max Growth (approx): Height 1 - 2 ft . Check the soil’s moisture by sticking your finger into the soil and if the top inch is starting to feel dry to the touch, apply water until it runs from the pot’s bottom drain holes. When you do need to snip off a leaf, make sure to use clean pruning tools so you do not transfer any disease or pest to your plant. You will observe the growth of new shoots leading to a flourishing Alocasia Polly plant. Therefore, it is important to water frequently enough to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy, especially during the growing seasons of spring throughout summer. This is a foliage plant of striking form and colour. Interestingly, the leaves also have a waxy cuticle which gives the … Occasionally, the leaves will yellow; if this happens, try adding fertilizer with micronutrients, or sprinkle Epsom salts around the base of the plant once a month. Well-drained soil is essential to care for your alocasia. If the roots are wrapping, gently tease them apart with your fingers before you begin the process of dividing. When the leaves fade in fall, less water is required, and when they have died, the soil is moistened once in a while. If you notice the base of the plant and foliage developing black sections, that’s a good sign rot is developing. The Alocasia Polly is known by its Latin name Alocasia (x) Amazonica, which sometimes makes it confusing for some gardeners when identifying the plant. WATER The plant needs to be watered until its soil is moist. The leaves can grow up to 16 inches long. Planting too deep puts undo stress on the plant. Take the entire plant to the sink and rinse off the foliage with a gentle spray of lukewarm water. Although the Alocasia Amazonica prefers growing in a moist medium, it doesn’t like to have soggy feet. It's a hybrid that makes a striking and beautiful houseplant and is typically sold as such. Enjoy your stay at Smart Garden Guide. Alternatively, you can create your own soil mixture using the following materials; Whatever soil mixture you decide to use just make sure it is lightweight and does not have a tendency to retain too much water. Alocasia Polly does best in soil that stays slightly moist. As the water evaporates around the plant, it creates the much-needed humidity. This is as easy as taking the entire container to your sink and allowing the water to run slowing through the soil for about five minutes. A striking and beautiful houseplant, Alocasia x amazonica (Amazonian Elephant Ear) is a robust rhizomatous evergreen perennial with dark green, narrowly arrow-shaped, wavy-edged leaves, up to 2 ft. long (60 cm), adorned with ribs and margins marked in bright creamy white. Amazonica Poly are very easy to grow tropical plants that require little care indoors or out. Dark Shiny Leaves and White Veins. Once the plant is in its dormant period (in the late fall and winter), it will begin resting. I don’t recommend clay pots or terracotta ones for Alocasia Amazonica plants because these will dry out faster than regular plastic pots. Starting in spring, feed the plant every two weeks. is a genus of approximately 70 species, including some that potentially grow leaves more than 6 feet tall. Watering. In humans, symptoms of elephant's ear poisoning include: If a person or pet is poisoned by elephant's ear, call poison control or go to the emergency room or veterinarian right away. Without examining the scientific characteristics it is very difficult to tell them apart. The best soil for Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ is a well-draining, aerated potting mix. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. You can replicate humid conditions by placing the pot on a tray of pebbles that will catch the water draining from the pot, which creates humidity around the plant. Note: This plant can be very picky and likes to stay as close to its natural habitat as possible. Where the Alocasia Amazonica has produced an offset, gather as many roots as possible connected to it and gently pull it from the mother plant. Frequently check the soil’s moisture content and water when it begins feeling dry to the touch. This is a cultivar of two common Alocasias. Once a week, or when soil is nearly dry 2" down. Spray the top and underside of the leaves with an insecticidal soap or neem, following package directions on mixing amounts and frequency of use. These plants are best propagated by division during repotting in spring. Root rot will occur if the soil becomes soggy. How To Care For Alocasia Amazonica: Grow in lightweight soil that drains well and water when the top of the soil begins to dry. The only way to grow additional plants is by dividing and removing new offsets from the mother plant. You must keep the soil damp during the growing season without soaking too much as rot can occur and only water with distilled water. Simply wipe the blades off with rubbing alcohol or a household disinfectant and you are ready to start snipping. Alocasias are very heavy feeders, and fertilizing alocasia plants frequently is the only way to keep up with their appetite. You still water regularly, but give them less water each time. An organic, loose soil that contains a good amount of peat moss is ideal. Fill the remainder of the pot with soil, firming it up around the Alocasia Amazonica. Fertilizer for Alocasia … There is a species with leaves that resemble African masks, one with crinkled leaf edges, and one that’s called the skeleton plant because the leaf ve… This plant is also known as Alocasia x amazonica and is actually a cross between Alocasia longiloba and Alocasia … You can increase humidity by setting the pot on a tray of pebbles that will collect water, or mist the plant several times weekly with water. Amazon elephant's ear is typically not susceptible to diseases but over-watering can lead to fungal infections. Alocasia Polly and Amazonica will thrive in a rich, peat-based potting medium. Although you may come across information referring to Alocasia Amazonica as a species or cultivar, the information is incorrect. The genus is most likely Alocasia x amazonica but the cultivar could be “Polly”. When it comes to the natural beauty of Alocasia Amazonica, also known as Alocasia Polly, it is all about the elaborate tropical foliage. You can create rainforest style compost for it with peat and orchid bark and it will grow well in aerated, well-drained soil. The large impressive glossy dark green leaves make a bold statement growing in medium-bright rooms or partial shade. These plants aren’t too demanding when it comes to soil as long as it is moist. Plant the Alocasia Amazonica at the same depth it was growing and hold off additional waterings for several days. However, you don’t want to place the container next to a heat or air vent that can create air that is too dry. You may also see it called “Kris Plant”. If you’d like to purchase a perfect potting mix for your Alocasia Amazonica online, then one of these aroid mixes from Etsy will be ideal. The genus is most likely Alocasia x amazonica but the cultivar could be “Polly”. When given proper care and grown in preferred conditions, Alocasia Amazonica is not plagued by any major disease problems. I’ve written about the best natural fertilizer options in this article. If you don’t have a lot of experience with plants, getting this particular species will be a good idea. Place the new planting in similar light conditions it was originally growing. However, you never want the soil to completely dry out. smartgardenguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other Amazon stores worldwide. H. D. Publisher MacMillan, Oxford. Using a damp cloth, wipe the dust off each leaf. The best soil for Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ is a well-draining, aerated potting mix. To achieve a good balance, try using a peat-based soil such and adding some perlite to ensure proper drainage. In the past few years, it’s become a lot more popular due to the unique and photogenic leaves. Growing these plants is easy; they like filtered sun or shade and rich, moist soil—and they grow rapidly. If your plant isn’t getting enough humidity, the leaves can start yellowing. You may need to raise the humidity levels in a room artificially by placing the plant in a humidity tray with pebbles or use a humidifier. Carefully remove the Alocasia Amazonica from the pot, inspecting the roots for any wrapping. Along with Alocasia Polly or Poly, Alocasia Alligator and African Mask, Alocasia Amazonica is only the plant’s common name and the origin of the plant and its name is quite interesting. It's large and odd-shaped leaves with bright nerves will jump at you from a distance. In a healthy specimen with multiple stems, corms can be dug up from the existing pot and repotted into smaller pots. In reality, the plant’s birthplace was in Miami, Florida, in the 1950s. Checking the moisture content of the soil is easy. Avoid keeping the soil dry in the same way as you would avoid over-watering. Feed your alocasia polly once or twice a year with … Not wet, but moist. Grow Alocasia Amazonica in lightweight soil that drains well. If 'Alocasia polly' is searched on the web, you'll be surprised to find that the original name for this hybrid was the A. poly with only one 'L'. As the plant ages and starts filling out with new growth, the older leaves naturally turn yellow, begin drooping and will eventually die and drop from the plant. Heavy soil has a tendency to retain too much moisture, which can lead to rot problems and even plant death. These can be used for all kinds of Aroid houseplants. Like other members of the Aroid family, Alocasia Amazonica tolerates warm conditions, so only those living in frost-free climates can situate it outdoors in containers year-round. The following are details of how to care for Alocasia Amazonica leaves rot. Alocasia Amazonica is a hybrid plant of Alocasia Longiloba and Alocasia Sanderiana that are native to Asia although this one is from America. When taking a closer look you may notice fine webbing covering portions of the foliage. Peace Lilies also do well if grown exclusively in water without soil, and are frequently found on green walls (living, planted walls). Planting Alocasia polly and Alocasia amazonica Soil. The only major pest that affects indoor grown Alocasia Amazonica’s is spider mites. The rapid leaf growth will be quite diminshed and the plant will likely remain as-is throughout the season. Another compact variety, ‘Silver Dragon,’ has silvery, pale green leaves with dark green veining that shows red on the underside. How much dust you have in your home’s air will determine how frequently you might have to clean those beautiful, deep green leaves of your Alocasia Amazonica. Place clean new soil into a clean container with bottom drain holes. During winter, the plant goes through a dormant stage and active growing stops, so you won’t have to water as frequently as you would while it is actively growing. 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