Alocasia 'Polly' (African Mask Plant) care guide
Alocasia × amazonica 'Polly' (accepted as A. × mortfontanensis) · Araceae
Alocasia 'Polly' (African Mask Plant) (Alocasia × amazonica 'Polly' (accepted as A. × mortfontanensis)) is a terrarium plant. It belongs to the Araceae family. It is native to None – an artificial hybrid of A. longiloba (Southeast Asia) and A. sanderiana (Philippines). Sold as A. × amazonica; the accepted name is A. × mortfontanensis. It needs bright indirect light; direct sun scorches; lower light just slows growth light. Water temperature: ≥ 15°C. Care difficulty: Moderate. Growth rate: moderate.
How do you care for Alocasia 'Polly' (African Mask Plant)?
| Light | Bright indirect light; direct sun scorches; lower light just slows growth |
|---|---|
| CO₂ | Medium to high humidity (pebble tray, grouping, humidifier); no figure in sources |
| Temperature | ≥ 15°C |
| Placement | NOT for typical terrariums – too large ('Polly' is roughly 10–60 cm) and rot-prone in a sealed jar. Possible only in a large, ventilated vivarium or paludarium. Small "jewel" alocasias are the better terrarium pick. (Sources do not cover terrariums directly; this is based on size and rot risk.) |
| Growth | Moderate |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Family | Araceae |
How do you trim and propagate Alocasia 'Polly' (African Mask Plant)?
Remove old leaves as they die – it sheds older leaves as new ones come. Propagate by separating rooted offsets in spring or dividing the rhizome in late spring/summer.
What problems affect Alocasia 'Polly' (African Mask Plant)?
Root or stem rot from overwatering, especially when cool; red spider mite (fine webbing, speckled leaves) in dry air; brown leaf edges from low humidity; winter die-back from cold / semi-dormancy.
How do you fix Alocasia 'Polly' (African Mask Plant) problems?
In growth, water freely and let the top ~5 cm dry; cut right back in winter to avoid rhizome rot. Draining mix (compost with perlite or grit about 3:1). Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks spring to autumn. Keep above 15°C; sources vary (10–16°C), so this is the safe figure.
Where does Alocasia 'Polly' (African Mask Plant) come from?
None – an artificial hybrid of A. longiloba (Southeast Asia) and A. sanderiana (Philippines). Sold as A. × amazonica; the accepted name is A. × mortfontanensis
What should you know before buying Alocasia 'Polly' (African Mask Plant)?
TOXIC to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA): insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause mouth pain and swelling, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Sap irritates skin and eyes – wear gloves; also harmful to children.
Sources
- Alocasia × amazonica André (synonym of A. × mortfontanensis) — GBIF / Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants
- Alocasia × amazonica 'Polly' — Royal Horticultural Society
- How to grow alocasias — Royal Horticultural Society
- Alocasia x mortfontanensis — NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Alocasia × mortfontanensis — Wikipedia
- Large Terrarium Plants — Terrarium Tribe
- Alocasia — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Care details checked against these sources on 2026-09-23.
Last updated · Open the interactive 3D guide · All species care guides