This aroid-style Polly can skip the crackers. Alocasia Polly is a striking houseplant from the elephant ears group of tropical plants that prefers a bright, comforting spot in which to show off its distinctive, large, arrow-shaped leaves. Reaching up to 2 feet tall and wide, Polly is a perfect choice for smaller spaces inside as well as outside in protected areas. Polly is possibly a pint-sized selection, proverbially speaking, of an Alocasia hybrid that sports an origin story just as intriguing as Polly’s leathery deep green leaves with pronounced silvery green to white veins. That hybrid, Alocasia Amazonica, has been known as Alocasia x amazonica but has no genetic link to the Amazon. And despite the common name of African mask plant, like all alocasias, it isn’t from Africa. The two species crossed to create the plant in the 1950s are native to Asia. The story goes that the plant’s breeder named it after his nursery business but never personally pursued formal scientific recognition. Suffice to say, no plant with that name, including Polly, is officially recognized as a hybrid species or cultivar. Ultimately, though, what matters to plant parents is having happy plants that elevate and breathe life into their home décor and this plant does that and then some. Polly wants noticeable humidity so if your space is lacking in that department, consider using a humidifier, pebble tray, or grouping Polly with other foliage plants. Placing the plant in a kitchen or bathroom can help with that too.
The African mask plant (Alocasia amazonica 'Polly') flaunts uniquely-shaped deep green leaves with silvery green and white veins
Your large live houseplant will arrive in an 8" nursery pot
This indoor plant grows best in medium to bright, indirect light
Tolerant of and adapts to lower light conditions
A low-maintenance houseplant and beloved by beginning plant parents and houseplant aficionados alike
Water this easy plant every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry between waterings or watering when the top of the soil is dry
Research shows that beautiful plants like this are air-purifiers that can reduce stress, promote creativity and boost productivity