Description
Command attention in any room with the stunning Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ (African Mask Plant). Arguably one of Mother Nature’s most jaw-dropping structural creations, this indoor favorite features narrow, shield-like leaves showcasing an ultra-glossy, near-black emerald green canopy. Bold, skeletal silvery-white veins carve across the surface, ending in heavily scalloped, wavy margins. Flipping the leaves reveals an exotic, rich matte-purple under-canopy, giving your display a magnificent multi-dimensional flash of color.
Grown and tended by hand by our family team, we ensure your plant receives dedicated quality care from day one. We offer this highly rewarding architectural variety in two distinct growth stages to perfectly fit your personal plant collection goals:
Available Variations
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- 2.5″ Rooted Start (with Domed Lid): A healthy, manually selected rooted starter plug that arrives in a premium 2.5″ clear container. This variation features a clear dome lid equipped with an adjustable top air vent, creating a perfect high-humidity microclimate to support continuing root development and ease acclimation to your home environment.
- 4″ Established Plant: Arrives fully established and growing vigorously in a 4″ clear plastic nursery pot. This specialized container lets you observe root development and soil moisture at a glance, making it a high-utility favorite for professional and hobbyist collectors alike. Ideal for bright shelves, tabletops, or counter displays.
Key Features
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- Prehistoric Arrow Silhouette: Sculptural shield-shaped leaves pack a dramatic structural punch with high-contrast, skeletal neon veins.
- Deep Burgundy Undersides: Richly saturated purple under-leaves offer a striking contrast as the plant catches the light.
- Foliage Viewing Container: Our premium clear nursery pots make it incredibly simple to track root health and avoid the pitfalls of overwatering.
Alocasia Polly Care Instructions
While the African Mask Plant has a reputation for being a bit of a diva, providing a stable environment rewards you with lush, continuous growth.
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- Sunlight: Prefers bright, indirect indoor sunlight. Keep safely out of intense, direct afternoon sun, which can easily bleach or scorch the dark, velvet foliage.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water thoroughly once the top inch of substrate feels dry to the touch. Use your clear pot to visually check moisture deep in the soil column; if the lower soil looks heavy or dark, hold off. Pro tip: Alocasias can be sensitive to fluoride and hard minerals found in municipal tap water. Use distilled water, rainwater, or filtered water to prevent brown, crispy leaf edges.
- Humidity: Thrives beautifully in high humidity environments (50% to 70%). Run a humidifier nearby, place the pot over a wet pebble tray, or utilize a bright, humid space. For the 2.5″ Rooted Start, keep the top cap partially closed early on, adjusting it wider over two weeks to acclimate.
- Temperature: Maintain a stable indoor temperature range between 65°F and 80°F. Avoid placing your plant near drafting windows, winter drafts, heavy air conditioner cycles, or hot radiators.
- Soil: Requires an incredibly loose, chunky, well-aerated potting medium. It grows best when potted or top-dressed in an organic, fast-draining aroid mix, such as our signature Dirtbags Handcrafted Soil Blend enhanced with perlite and orchid bark.
Pet Safety Information
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- Toxicity: Toxic to pets. Like all members of the Araceae family, Alocasias contain microscopic insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. If chewed or ingested, these can cause severe oral irritation, burning, intense drooling, and difficulty swallowing in dogs and cats. It is highly recommended to display this upright stunner on a secure table, high shelf, or counter safely out of reach of your furry family members.
Important Shipping & Variation Note
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- Arrive Alive Guarantee: Every living plant is a unique piece of nature! Please note that individual specimens will naturally vary from the images pictured on our website due to distinct growth patterns, leaf count, and leaf size intensity. Rest assured, your selection is personally hand-picked to ensure optimal health and beauty, and it is fully backed by our comprehensive Arrive Alive Guarantee. We promise a premium specimen that arrives healthy, safe, and ready to thrive in its new home.
Product Dimensions & Inventory Options
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- 3″ Domed Rooted Start: Measures approximately 3″w x 6″t (including container and adjustable humidity dome cap).
- 4″ Established Container Plant: Measures approximately 4″w x 3 1/2″t transparent nursery container base.
