Alocasia Polly is an attractive houseplant thats native to tropical regions of South Asia. Alocasia Polly can be cultivated and kept indoors year-round. With the right conditions and basic care, alocasia Polly is a pretty low-maintenance, easy-growing plant. It does best in filtered, dappled sunlight. Alocasia Polly and other elephant ear plants are considered invasive in mild, wetland climates such as the Gulf Coast of the United States. Before planting alocasia Polly outdoors, consult your local extension agent to check if this plant is an invasive species in your region—or simply keep it indoors as a houseplant. Because its mildly toxic, alocasia Polly should be kept out of reach of children and pets. Read on for our care guide.
The Alocasia Polly, also known as the African Mask plant, has become a hugely popular houseplant in recent years. With its large, glossy, and uniquely shaped leaves, it’s easy to see why! Properly spacing these beauties is crucial for any Alocasia Polly owner who wants their plants to thrive. In this article, I’ll go over the benefits of proper spacing, exactly how far apart to place your Alocasias, and tips for getting it right.
Why Space Alocasia Polly Plants?
Spacing out your Alocasia Polly plants is vital for a few key reasons:
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Prevents overcrowding and competition. Alocasias need adequate access to light, moisture, and nutrients. Overcrowding causes leaves to block light from reaching lower leaves. Roots end up competing for resources in the soil.
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Allows for proper air circulation Crowded plants experience higher humidity which can encourage fungal or bacterial diseases, Good airflow reduces this risk significantly
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Provides room for growth. Alocasia Polly leaves can reach up to 2 feet long! Give those large leaves space to fully unfurl and expand.
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Creates an aesthetically pleasing look. A properly spaced planting allows each gorgeous Alocasia Polly to stand out and shine. It looks intentional, not haphazard.
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Makes maintenance easier. You can easily access each plant for watering, pruning away old leaves, treating pests, etc. when adequate space is allowed between plants.
How Far Apart Should Alocasia Polly Plants Be?
As a general rule of thumb, I recommend spacing Alocasia Polly plants at least 2-3 feet apart. Here are some factors to consider:
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Mature size – Account for the 2 foot long leaves these plants will eventually develop.
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Growth rate – Space rapidly growing Alocasia Polly plants further apart than slower growing varieties.
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Container vs. ground planting – Plants crowded in containers need more space than those planted freely in garden beds.
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Sunlight – Plants in bright light may need more space than those in partial shade locations.
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Air circulation – Allow more space in humid climates or poorly ventilated areas.
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Design and look – Space plants closer together for a lush, tropical look if desired.
Aim for sufficient space to prevent leaves from touching as your Alocasias fill out. Adjust and thin plants over time as needed.
Tips for Proper Alocasia Polly Spacing
Here are some useful tips to space your Alocasia Polly plants successfully:
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Stake out spots with sticks or chalk before planting. This lets you visualize spacing.
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Group 3-5 plants together in clusters for impact, spacing clusters 2-3 feet apart.
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Place larger, more established plants towards the back and smaller young plants in front.
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Use tall plants like elephant ears or bird of paradise to fill space between Alocasias.
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Add trellises, arbors, or focus points between plants to define areas.
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Edge beds with low-growing plants like sweet alyssum so Alocasia Polly leaves stand out.
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Transplant or remove extra plants if foliage starts to overlap as plants mature.
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For containers, use the ” thriller, filler, spiller” approach. Let your Alocasia Polly be the “thriller” focal point.
Common Spacing Mistakes
It’s super tempting to crowd these gorgeous Alocasias together when filling in a new garden bed or container. Avoid these common spacing mistakes:
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Planting too close to walkways or entrances. Leave at least 12-24 inches to prevent injuries from thorny leaves brushing passersby.
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Allowing leaves of neighboring plants to overlap or touch. This blocks air and light circulation.
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Not accounting for rapid growth. They start out small but quickly become big!
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Focusing too much on instant impact vs long term plant health. Don’t sacrifice proper spacing just for immediate gratification.
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Neglecting to thin plants once they mature and spacing becomes too tight.
With Alocasias, the saying “right plant, right place” definitely applies! Provide adequate elbow room and your plants will thank you with many years of vigorous, healthy growth. Let those Pollys spread out and shine!
What Do Alocasia Polly’s Flowers Look Like?
These plants grow small, pale flowers that are white or yellow.
Potting and Repotting Alocasia Polly
Alocasia Polly should be repotted every two to three years to refresh its soil. If you see roots growing out of the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot, or if water doesnt seem to infiltrate the soil and runs down the sides of the pot instead of being absorbed, the plant is rootbound and will benefit from repotting.
Plan to repot in the spring when the plant is out of dormancy into a container one size larger than the previous pot. Use fresh soil and plant in a plastic or glazed ceramic pot rather than terra cotta to help maintain soil moisture.
Alocasia Amazonica Polly care & tips (the reality)
FAQ
How do I plant Alocasia in my garden?
Where is the best place to put Alocasia?
How do you keep alocasia Polly happy?
How do you make Alocasia thrive?
Can Alocasia Polly be propagated by division?
If your healthy alocasia Polly is growing from at least two bulbs with two leaves, you can propagate the plant by division. If you have a mature plant that’s beginning to crowd its pot, division is a great solution. The best time to propagate alocasia Polly is during the spring and summer when the plant is actively growing.
Can Alocasia Polly grow indoors?
While alocasia Polly rarely blooms while kept indoors, it’s a good idea to prune back any spent flower heads to help promote leaf growth. If your healthy alocasia Polly is growing from at least two bulbs with two leaves, you can propagate the plant by division.
How do you grow Alocasia Polly?
Plant your alocasia Polly in a rich, well-drained potting soil that contains organic matter to help retain moisture. Water your alocasia Polly so that the soil stays consistently moist. This can be a delicate balance, as soggy soil can lead to root rot, but dry soil can trigger dormancy in the plant.
Does Alocasia Polly go into hibernation?
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.