If you’re looking for a stunning houseplant that will add an exotic flare to your indoor space, look no further than Alocasia Polly.
This plant is famous for its striking foliage, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves with prominent white veining.With its unique and eye-catching appearance, Alocasia Polly will surely be a conversation starter and a favorite among plant enthusiasts.
But beyond its striking looks, this plant is also relatively easy to care for, making it an excellent choice for experienced and novice plant parents. So, Alocasia Polly is a plant to consider whether you’re an avid collector or just looking for a statement piece to liven up your living space.
The Alocasia Polly is a beautiful houseplant with dark green leaves and contrasting white veining This tropical plant is quite popular among houseplant enthusiasts thanks to its stunning foliage and ease of care
While Alocasia Polly plants are typically propagated through division of tubers, corms, and rhizomes, they can also be grown from seeds. Growing Alocasia Polly from seeds takes time and patience, but it allows you to produce new plants relatively cheaply.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about Alocasia Polly seeds including how to collect, store, germinate, and sow them.
Collecting Alocasia Polly Seeds
The first step to growing new Alocasia Polly plants from seed is to collect ripe seeds from an existing plant. Here’s what to do:
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Wait for the plant to produce an inflorescence (flower spike). The inflorescence will emerge from the center of the plant and consists of a spadix covered with tiny flowers.
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When the flowers fade, green seed pods will start to form where the flowers were. Monitor the seed pods and wait for them to ripen and turn brown.
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Once the pods turn brown they can be collected. Use clean pruners to clip the dried pods off the inflorescence.
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Place the harvested pods in a paper bag and allow them to dry out for another week or so. As the pods fully dry, they will split open to reveal the black Alocasia seeds inside.
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Carefully separate the seeds from the pods and any other plant debris. Pick out any seeds that appear underdeveloped or damaged.
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Store the mature healthy Alocasia Polly seeds in an airtight container in a cool dry place until ready to use.
Storing Alocasia Seeds
Alocasia Polly seeds have a relatively short viability period. For best results, they should be sown within a few months after harvesting. Here are some tips for proper storage:
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Keep seeds in an airtight container like a plastic bag or glass jar. This prevents moisture loss.
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Store containers in the refrigerator or another location with temperatures around 40-50°F.
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Avoid exposing seeds to high or fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels.
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Check seeds occasionally for signs of mold, drying out, or any other deterioration. Discard any seeds that are no longer firm and black.
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For longer term storage of 6 months or more, consider sealing seeds in an airtight bag or jar with a desiccant pack. This will control humidity levels.
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Always label seed containers with the plant name and date collected. Alocasia Polly seeds usually remain viable for 6-12 months when stored properly.
Germinating Alocasia Polly Seeds
Alocasia Polly seeds have a tough outer coat that results in uneven and poor germination rates if not properly treated before sowing. Here are some recommended methods for germinating Alocasia seeds:
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Mechanical scarification – Gently nick or scratch the seed coat with sandpaper or a file. Take care not to damage the embryo inside the seed.
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Hot water treatment – Soak seeds in hot (not boiling) water for 24-48 hours prior to sowing.
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Soaking in gibberellic acid – Soak seeds in a diluted gibberellic acid solution for 24 hours before sowing. Gibberellic acid is a plant hormone that encourages germination.
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Cold stratification – Refrigerate seeds for 30-60 days in a moist medium like peat or vermiculite. The cold temperature helps weaken the hard seed coat.
No matter which technique you use, be sure to sterilize all tools and equipment first to prevent disease introduction. Treating the seeds prior to planting helps soften the outer coating so moisture can penetrate and trigger germination.
Sowing Alocasia Polly Seeds
Once treated and prepared for germination, Alocasia Polly seeds can be sown using a few methods:
Sowing directly outdoors
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In frost-free climates, seeds can be directly sown into the garden after the last expected spring frost.
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Choose a site with rich, well-draining soil and partial shade. Space seeds 6-12 inches apart and bury at a shallow depth of 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch.
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Keep soil consistently moist until seedlings emerge, which takes 14-21 days on average.
Starting indoors
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For a head start on growth, seeds can be started indoors up to 12 weeks before the frost-free date.
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Fill starter trays or pots with a seed starting mix. Moisten the mix well and sow 2-3 seeds per cell, 1/4 inch deep.
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Cover trays with plastic wrap or a humidity dome to maintain even moisture levels.
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Place in bright, indirect light and temperatures of 70-75°F. Bottom heat of 70°F accelerates germination.
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Expect to see emergence in 14-28 days. Remove covers once seedlings appear but keep soil moist.
Propagation chamber
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For best germination rates, use a heated propagation chamber, mat, or heated seed tray. Maintain constant temperatures of 70-80°F.
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Line trays with a sterile propagation mix, sow seeds, and place inside the heated chamber.
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Cover trays to keep humidity very high, around 80-90%. Monitor moisture levels daily.
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Seedlings will emerge within 2-3 weeks. Gradually acclimate to lower humidity once sprouted.
With the proper treatments and favorable conditions, Alocasia Polly seeds can achieve 70% or higher germination success. Pay close attention to moisture, heat, and humidity right from sowing until seedlings are established.
Caring for Young Alocasia Polly Plants
Alocasia Polly seedlings need high humidity, warm temperatures, and adequate moisture to grow steadily. Here are some tips for getting seedlings off to a good start:
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Keep plants in bright, filtered light but avoid direct hot sunlight which can burn leaves.
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Maintain warm temperatures around 70-80°F during the day and no lower than 65°F at night.
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Water thoroughly as the top inch or two of soil dries out. Take care not to oversaturate the soil though.
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Regular misting helps provide added humidity while plants are small.
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Repot into larger containers as roots fill out initial pots. Use a rich, well-draining potting mix.
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Begin feeding monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength after a few sets of leaves unfurl.
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Monitor for pests like spider mites that can affect young seedlings and treat any issues promptly.
With attentive care while plants are small, Alocasia Polly grown from seeds will flourish into full size beauties, rewarding you with their amazing foliage!
Common Problems When Growing from Seeds
Growing Alocasia Polly from seeds requires patience as germination can be slow and uneven. Here are some potential issues to watch for:
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Failure to germinate – This is often due to old, unviable seeds or improper storage conditions. Always start with fresh seeds and follow recommended storage guidelines.
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Slow, sporadic germination – Not scarifying or treating seeds before planting makes germination erratic and spread out over weeks. Use suggested pretreatments for better results.
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Damping off disease – Fungal issue caused by overly wet soil that rots emerging seedlings. Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
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Leggy, weak growth – Insufficient light results in lanky, delicate seedlings. Provide very bright light, just not direct sun.
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Crusty buildup on leaves – Hard water or dry air causes a white mineral deposit on leaves. Mist leaves frequently or use distilled or rain water.
When issues arise, don’t hesitate to troubleshoot and make adjustments to get seeds germinating and growing successfully. With a little patience and proper care, you’ll be rewarded with lovely Alocasia Polly plants.
Final Thoughts on Growing from Seeds
While vegetative propagation is the primary method used for generating new Alocasia Polly plants, sowing seeds is also a viable option. Seed grown plants take longer to reach maturity but allow you to produce exciting new varieties relatively cheaply.
Follow the tips outlined above for collecting mature seeds, properly storing and pretreating them, creating ideal germination conditions, and caring for young plants. Be diligent about maintaining warm temperatures, high humidity, and adequate moisture throughout the process.
Growing Alocasia Polly from seeds requires more time and work than other propagation techniques but it can be a fun, rewarding way to add these stunning tropicals to your plant collection. Just be prepared for a slower pace and variable outcomes. Any seeds that do germinate and grow will produce one-of-a-kind plants!
What’s an Alocasia Polly?
This unique elephant ear plant was developed as a smaller version of its parent, Alocasia x amazonica ‘Polly’ (assumed scientific name). Alocasia x amazonica is a hybrid produced by cross-breeding two other Alocasia species: Alocasia watsoniana and Alocasia sanderiana.
Alocasias are members of the Aroid family and native to different parts of Asia but can also be found in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Australia.
Although its name suggests otherwise, neither Alocasia variety originates from the Amazon rainforest. Alocasia Polly was artificially created, although its ‘ancestors’ can be naturally found in Asian rainforests.
Two common names for the Alocasia Polly are African Mask Plant and Amazonian Elephant’s Ear, and ironically, its roots are in another continent. Alocasia Polly’s ‘parents’ are native to China, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia.
This unique cultivar was created in the 1950s by Salvadore Mauro, a Florida developer and greenhouse grower who owned the former Amazon Nursery.
The boldly patterned and dark green leaves of the Alocasia Polly plants make it stand out from a regular alocasia or other regular houseplants.
But, at the same time, its small size means that even in limited spaces, you can find room to grow your own Alocasia Polly.
This elephant ear plant also helps clear the air from harmful chemicals like formaldehyde.
The care guidelines for Alocasia Polly plants are a little more critical than others. Alocasia Polly is a pretty fussy plant and will go into hibernation mode or die off if its care is lacking anywhere.
Adequate care of this plant entails supplying this tropical plant with rainforest-like conditions. This plant care essentially involves bright indirect light, warm and humid environment, and consistently moist soil.
Imitating rainforest conditions for Alocasia varieties is crucial. Finding the right location, light, temperature, and humidity can be challenging.
The ideal location for this plant is in a greenhouse where temperature and humidity can be controlled. But luckily, this plant can also thrive inside your home with extra care.
One of the most important factors to keep your Alocasia plant happy is humidity; luckily, there are other ways to ensure the moisture in the air is enough for your plant, like placing it in the bathroom or the kitchen or keeping it near a humidifier.
When found in the rainforest, Alocasia plants grow under canopy trees. While the tropical sun is bright and hot, the trees filter it out for the plants. When you have an Alocasia Polly at home, the light requirements are bright, indirect sunlight. These lighting needs can be met by placing your plant directly in a north or east facing window where it will receive the soft morning light instead of harsh direct light.
If all you have is west or south exposure, find a place out of the full sun because direct sunlight can burn or bleach the plant’s leaves. A sheer curtain can help block the harshest rays if needed. If you move your plant to a higher-light location, be sure to acclimate it carefully.
Wipe your plant’s leaves occasionally with a soft cloth to remove dust and help your Alocasia Polly soak as much light as possible.
This plant is slightly demanding with its water needs. Alocasia Polly enjoys consistently moist soil (but not soaking wet). Alocasia Polly plants thrive in the rainforest’s damp soil, which is never saturated. Your Alocasia watering routine needs to maintain the same moist consistency.
Water your tropical plant whenever the top inch of the soil is dry by gently moistening the top layer. Never let your Alocasia sit in water; it cause the roots to need air, and overwatering your plant can cause root rot.
As tropical plants, they need to have their soil consistently damp but not soaking wet. The best way to know when to water your plant again is to put your finger into the top inch of the soil, and if it feels dry, water thoroughly until you see excess water coming out of the pot’s drainage hole.
Alocasia plants can be sensitive to chlorine found in tap water. So you may wanna use distilled water instead or let the tap water sit for several hours before using it.
As mentioned before, the air around this tropical plant should stay quite humid.
Like all tropical houseplants, Alocasia Polly plants can struggle, especially during Winter.
To combat this, you can spray your plants regularly or use a humidity pebble tray and a layer of water, but a humid setting is the best way to keep your plant happy and healthy.
One of the best options is to run a humidifier or group plants together to create a mini rainforest setting using an old aquarium, a greenhouse cabinet, or a humidity box and keep it on a high humidity setting.
Alocasia Polly plants should always be kept moist, but as with almost all plant species, the soil should not be soaking wet as root rot and other problems can become an issue.
Plant roots especially need well-draining soil and plenty of air pockets.
You can always buy Aroid soil mix for your Alocasia ‘Polly’, but it’s also easy to make yourself (many houseplants appreciate these airy and potting soil-free mixes).
Combine 1 part of perlite, five parts of orchid bark, and 1 part of sphagnum moss for a basic Aroid mix.
If you have a lot of greenery, DIY-ing can cut costs. Also, an easy draining soil with lots of coco coir will help keep the plant’s balance.
The Alocasia Polly plant blooms all year round as it uses a lot of energy to grow quickly.
If you want to keep up with your plant’s growth, you need to fertilize it once per month during its growing period in spring and summer; and once per quarter in fall and Winter, except when the plant goes into dormancy.
The best way to fertilize Alocasia Polly plants is by using liquid fertilizer or fertilizing sticks (stick to the package instructions). When you use these types of fertilizers, you won’t have to fertilize your plants as often as stated before, and you can stick to 3-4 times per year.
Fertilizing your Alocasia Polly will encourage the strong and healthy growth of its arrowhead-shaped leaves.
If your plant has problems like pests or root rot, DO NOT fertilize it. Fertilizing a damaged plant will put it in a more stressful situation.
Once your plant recovers, you can continue with your normal care routine.
This plant’s propagation is usually done by root division, as stem cuttings won’t work –unlike other plants. However, it’s really easy to propagate this tropical plant when you repot it every two years or so.
First, pull the root ball out of the pot, and shake off most of the soil (or as much as possible). After this, you should be able to see a tangle of corms twisted together; gently tug them apart – you can cut them if necessary.
Alocasia Polly’s common problems
As mentioned before, Alocasia Polly can be difficult to grow, but most of this plant’s problems can be avoided with proper care. Use your plant’s leaves to indicate potential issues.
If you notice your Alocasia Polly’s leaves are curling up, it’s more likely that your plant is getting too much direct light and/or too little humidity. Change one variable at a time to spot the source of the issue.
Alocasia Polly Care Guide
FAQ
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