Alocasia Amazonica Polly care & tips (the reality)

[@Grrrnthumb]

I've grown Alocasia like these for 30 years. To make 'Polly' easy for beginners: 1) Keep it warm. Below 20-21C min night temps it will slowly start to go dormant. This happens to most beginners every winter. When grown very warm they are forgiving of many watering mistakes and easy to grow. 2) For 100% cure of spider mites, rinse the leaves (especially the undersides) w/ almost-hot water once or twice a month. This is true for 'Polly' & 'Amazonica', but oddly not their larger cousin Alocasia lowii, which is much more resistant to spider mites. These are heavy feeders when it's warm, so they do best in high quality houseplant soils you can find in any hydroponics shop. You're right that LECA is bad for these, & PON is ok, but really that's only for serious overwaterers or if you're too cheap to get a high quality soil, or if you grow in such low light the plant is flirting with the edge of dormancy. PON is really weak on nutrient availability for large heavy feeders, and I find it contributes to grow-one-lose-one leaf progress you described.

[@GenRN]

Thank you so much!

[@amigee2041]

This is sp helpful, thankyou!!

[@MaxItUpwithMarta]

great advise, thank you :)

[@Rodnyet]

Thanks

[@sfunksfunk]

Thank you

[@peter5998]

Bought one in 2015-2016 online, honestly not knowing at all how to look after it, so I just plopped it on my west facing windowsill and watered it every so often and 7 years later its still going strong, even after moving houses. There was a time where it dropped to just three leaves, but now theres 6 and its seeming pretty happy and easy to care for. It seems to enjoy being in all sorts of levels of lights. Maybe I got the best behaving one in the world!

[@mercedesmansionsuvlife3974]

This comment was more direct and informative than the video! I just bought mine yesterday so, I'm just watching a variety of videos gathering info.

[@peter5998]

@@mercedesmansionsuvlife3974 Nice! Since this comment, it got to 11 leaves over summer but dropped to 3 over winter. I've found it definitely needs to be right by the window to survive.

[@rac94]

She is a hard one to keep happy. And you're 100% correct, she is a spider mite magnet! You need to keep an eye on her when because one day she'll be looking great, then the next day, BAM, infested! What I learned was that they love light and will not do well in low light. They also need to be kept moist, otherwise they'll start getting all dramatic!

[@Houseplantygoodness]

💯 Agree on everything you say 👏👏👏 very accurate ✔️

[@maryska1423]

I am fascinated by alocasias. They are so ascetic. They eat a leaf to feed a new one, bigger than the previous one ... I have a Odora and Portora, colocasia black stem and violaceum xantosoma (the latter is the worst) But I wanted to tell you that I took Portora to the garden for the summer. I dug it into the ground in a pot, and in the fall ... Hmmm, it barely dug up. From 50 cm of a girl - I brought home a monster taller than me. She is already 170 cm long, I'm afraid if I will be able to take her out to the garden in the spring!

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Ohhh very cool to hear that, my parents back in greece do the same and theirs is almost a tree too.

[@kateoc8]

I don't think you mean ascetic (severely self disciplined and abstemious)...or aesthetic either for that matter (an appreciation of beauty or good taste). No offence. I'm an English teacher and feel duty bound to extol the virtue of our wonderful expressive language, and help non-native speakers improve.

[@pinstripesuitandheels]

I got one from IKEA a few days ago, for ten euros. It's my very first alocasia, and I feel a bit foolish now. How could I resist that foliage though? It looked very healthy in the shop, and I've got in my bathroom at the moment, but we're having a weird summer with lots of gloomy days. I hope to get it through autumn and winter. If it starts to decline too much, I'll just keep the tubers and plant it back in the spring.

[@mellewedin8221]

Fun fact pea flower mixed in the soil will keep mite away. The enzyme in peas makes inhospitable for them.

[@EJ-rq6th]

That is a beautiful Polly! I have 3 of her. One is flourishing, one is floundering and the third is fine , as I just got it last week. I'm still trying to figure her out.

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Thank you, yeah they can be fussy, but as soon as you figure out what is making the one struggle, should be easier after that 😊

[@jujubee7351]

I’m laughing right now , it is my first house plant . I took her out of soil preparing for Leca in a couple of weeks. Wish me luck

[@seanfrancisryan8429]

I almost hate this plant. While I’m very infatuated with the appearance, I cannot seem to be able to keep one alive. I will try using pon as suggested, but I have definitely had the issue you mentioned of it sacrificing a leaf for a new one.

[@Houseplantygoodness]

yes sadly that is true for many alocasia, it is a fine balance in the beginning to get the watering just right, especially if a new leaf is emerging if a new leaf is emerging and it goes dry (its very thirsty when bringing out a new leaf) it will sacrifice the old leaf

[@okinoboo4743]

Right? Me too... Sad..

[@luislandofficial]

Get a self watering pot. Mine came in one and it keeps it moist but not soaking wet I love it!!

[@annissa485]

I am so thankful for this video. I was looking to buy and decided I am not ready for this plant.

[@shelbyd.garland7706]

I paid $4 for one after the big box tried to assasinate it. Lost all but one leaf on one corm and EVERY leaf on the other. It was serious work but I’m up to three leaves and finally reactivated the other corm. I tried a melo first but quickly killed it. I was positive I was going lose this one for months. Good to know others are easier. I have literally blocked myself from delving into them because… divas.

[@grat2010]

Got my first 2 alocasias and they're doing great in my diy pon. They like way more light than what the internet told me.

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Yes I fully 💯💯💯 agree so much more light than what the Internet says

[@maegenann]

What is your diy pon solution?

[@maegenann]

^ wanting to switch mine to pon so any suggestions help :)

[@dianeallen6819]

Oh nooo!!! I just got my 1st alocasia about a week ago and its of course a Polly I'm pretty scared of this plant now. All 50 of my other plants are thriving.. I hope my new alocasia will thrive too. But again, I'm terrified of it 🙈

[@MaxItUpwithMarta]

My pink princess loves pon. My experience with leca is that only a few plants really like it. My polly and other alocasia went dormant in my living room in Florida hot summer weather because I keep my ac at 63 at night, it is now reviving in the "Florida Room" so yes, temperature is so important.

[@tonirichards7559]

I think mine in NZ is a Polly,it lives on my fish tank.doing great.thank you.ive cut the bottom of the pot.sitting on a tray.

[@GenRN]

How did it do in the top of your aquarium? I got 2 new pollys today and have 6 aquariums. Would love to stick them in the top like my monstera.

[@cathrinerhardt]

With Polly, I just can't. Any other alocasia, but Polly. Silver dragon is doing great with me. Not one lost leaf.

[@schmanielle1115]

Thank you so much for this!

[@morsecodereviews1553]

Just bought one earlier today! I think?🤔 It came with no tag and now I'm trying to figure out if it's this or the micholitziana😆I repotted it straight away as 3 leaves on the bottom were yellow and droopy. I mixed in play sand, worm castings, and extra perlite in hopes of making my spotty watering routine simpler. Anywho, wish me luck!

[@fishndchick2228]

Impulsively bought a Polly at IKEA two days ago. Im not new to plants but I am new to alocasias. Did I make a mistake ?😬

[@Houseplantygoodness]

oh no, i didnt mean to worry people, it is still a good alocasia to learn on as they can be replaced easily if things go wrong. All I would advise is, if you try things and they do not work, do not get disheartened and move away from trying other alocasia, there are easy ones out there too 😊

[@dianeallen6819]

I just got my 1st alocasia Polly a week ago I am also terrified

[@GenRN]

How has it gone? I just got 2.

[@joannamartinez3379]

Alocasias are awesome my first one was a amazónica and is doing so good she love humidity and bright indirect light ! Now I have the Scalprum , ninja and black velvet

[@waikatoplants3059]

Mine goes in the shower,to keep leaves clean,weekly.has alot of indirect light.warmth

[@drikonrokon852]

This alocasia was my first but not my first aroid, and since my growing conditions are amazing for my other ones I decided to give this one a go and now after a few months it's constantly giving me new leaves with babies so now I'm being forced to buy more aroid mix and fertilizer, I'm in Texas and mine is right next to the east facing window and she loves it

[@dianecaruthers966]

@@drikonrokon852 hi 👋 I'm in that same boat. 😁 What do about the new babies that pop up? Do you leave them or repot them? Thanks for any help.

[@drikonrokon852]

@@dianecaruthers966 I repotted them after waiting for 2 or 3 leaves and a decent root structure (basically enough where you feel comfortable repotting them). If you don't repot it's just going to be a more bushier plant with small leaves, I recommend aroid mixes but if you don't have access to it regularly potting mix with extra perlite should do the trick you was well draining but abled to hold on some moisture alocasia are usually prone to root rot but don't like drying out

[@beverleybailey3161]

BYWAY...what is "Pon"??

[@canadiyank]

Check out the brand name "Lechuza" for pon. It’s a soil-less growing medium. I am slowly moving all my indoor plants into it bc I like it so much. The brand-name is pricey, as are their self-watering planters, so you can try making your own, but I have not done that. It kind of looks like the size and feel of aquarium rocks.

[@Keenan_Ward]

Great info i really appreciate it but please get to the point quicker could have saved 5min

[@lavvy2585]

Dude! How did you get that thing that big? I saw this plant for the first time yesterday and had to purchase it. It is so beautiful. Though I don't have a rhizome, it had lots of roots and also it had two plants so I separated them.

[@japreet_kah]

Sexy Viking gardener would of been a better channle name.

[@Houseplantygoodness]

ahh you are too kind ☺

[@Dariusdoesreefing]

Hear me out . A Polly mixed with a Jacklyn would look insane !!

[@qltygrl3187]

Mine has a leaf that is turning orange and drooping. No idea why as I haven’t changed how I take care of it. I don’t see any pests. Any ideas?

[@luislandofficial]

My brightest window is my north/east facing window 😂 I’m in New England I’m going to try her in my south/east window. So I can look at her in my livingroom

[@anitajones7090]

You didn’t talk about Dormancy. Mine I believe has gone into dormancy as it has stopped popping out a new leaf. currently I have two leaves, and it’s been over a month, and nothing ☹️

[@erikm8372]

you gotta wait for it - i’ll repost my previous response to another commenter :-)

[@erikm8372]

Repost: ...as long as your plant has new little leaves unfurling, at the top, you know it’s actively growing. As in, not dormant. lol. Obviously. It's when you start to notice growth slowing down, & new leaves aren’t being produced; likely, you'll see mature leaves falling off, and that’s the time to hold back on watering. Move to a spot with indirect light, but not full sun or complete darkness. Good airflow is important during dormancy too. Prevents gnats and fungus. Good practice is to top-layer with sand, grit, gravel, or a mixture to keep bugs out. This also retains humidity for the plant. Dormancy could last anywhere from a month to a whole season, depending where you live. I live in southern California, where our minimum winter temperature is about 40°-45°F, usually it’s between 50°-70°F though, ha. And at times, warmer! So the longest mine go to “sleep” for is maybe a month, December or January. Then they’re right back, growing again in February. Basically, if leaves stop being produced, move to sheltered location. Don’t water until you see new leaves start to grow. I mean, you could LIGHTLY moisten the top of the soil during dormancy, but only to keep the bulb alive. You dont want it completely drying out, but when they sleep they aren't digesting/drinking anything, so they can drown if it’s excessive. Do not let water flow out of the pot during dormancy. It’s too much to take at that time. Also, obviously dont fertilize in winter or autumn. Hopefully this rambling makes sense!!

[@anitajones7090]

Thank you! I am currently experiencing this with my Alocasia Black Velvet, I have her in a terracotta pot. So I have her out of direct light, and watered when the pot was light to pick up or if the soil was dry. There is a new leaf starting to unfurl, so I am so happy. Any care tips on Fittonia’s 😬

[@sfunksfunk]

Thank you @erikm8372, mine stopped and all leaves are drooping and have lost their color and i think it had gone dormant. Appreciate the information. It had been pretty active until January. Fingers crossed 🤞

[@nataliejones7585]

Just discovered your channel. Very informative. I have a Alocasia Amazonia that I purchased last August. She was very root-bound so I repotted from a 6" to 8" and made up a kinda "chunky soil" 😏 well she's doing okay I have had several flowers. I only water when the soil is almost dry. My dilemma is that there are yellow spots on the dges of some leaves...not sure what else to do. I water with rain water, fertilize occasionally, mist occasionally because my home lacks a lot of humidity. Any thoughts? Thanks 😁

[@lvanasse2]

Same with mine, but I just read a comment where they say to keep soil moist, I will try this 😊

[@tammiebenjamin7771]

I am in the southern hemisphere and am confused about dormancy. Any tips

[@erikm8372]

I’m no expert, but my six/seven (?) alocasia seem to like me! ...so anyway, as long as your plant has new little leaves unfurling, at the top, you know it’s actively growing. As in, not dormant. lol. Obviously. It's when you start to notice growth slowing down, & new leaves aren’t being produced; likely, you'll see mature leaves falling off, and that’s the time to hold back on watering. Move to a spot with indirect light, but not full sun or complete darkness. Good airflow is important during dormancy too. Prevents gnats and fungus. Good practice is to top-layer with sand, grit, gravel, or a mixture to keep bugs out. This also retains humidity for the plant. Dormancy could last anywhere from a month to a whole season, depending where you live. I live in southern California, where our minimum winter temperature is about 40°-45°F, usually it’s between 50°-70°F though, ha. And at times, warmer! So the longest mine go to “sleep” for is maybe a month, December or January. Then they’re right back, growing again in February. Basically, if leaves stop being produced, move to sheltered location. Don’t water until you see new leaves start to grow. I mean, you could LIGHTLY moisten the top of the soil during dormancy, but only to keep the bulb alive. You dont want it completely drying out, but when they sleep they aren't digesting/drinking anything, so they can drown if it’s excessive. Do not let water flow out of the pot during dormancy. It’s too much to take at that time. Also, obviously dont fertilize in winter or autumn. Hopefully this rambling makes sense!!

[@jessicapearshouse1728]

Oh no I’ve just got my husband one ( a baby one) are we going get loads of spiders/ mites now? Please no. It’s a Kris plant right? He’s brilliant with plants but I don’t want mites of any kind.!

[@mellewedin8221]

So mine grows awesome for like month, then all of sudden it the big beautiful leafs wilt away, even fricken new shoots and I have tried so much with it. It could be the pot size, and dirt. Also thought it was a low light plant, it totally is not.

[@bbouti54]

I purchased my alocasia with 9 leaves it dropped 2 and I thought it was going to die ,it dropped a other 2 leaving 5 leaves then I noticed it’s pushing out a new leaf .is this normal 😮

[@jessicapearshouse1728]

Where do you home it? We have a south facing back of house but I don’t want spider mites 🥲

[@beverleybailey3161]

Just bought one....my first , cross fingers x

[@shireenrahman1001]

Why is my Alocasia (amajonica) having a sap in the tips of the leaf? Last two days I noticed. I bought this one only a few days ago. Please advise me. Thanks

[@marryd2nordstrom]

i think it’s called guttation. it happens to my alocasias after watering, usually overnight & early mornings. i don’t worry about it too much. i also don’t run my humidifier the evening or even day after watering: doing so seems to minimize guttation 🤗🪴

[@lori-jeanmanness5718]

What are your suggestions for repotting in terms of pot size. I’ve heard they like to be rootbound and am worried I just moved mine to a pot that’s too big. Moved from 4 inch round nursery pot to a 6 inch ceramic pot that is also much deeper. Is this going to be a problem?

[@australiagreg3179]

No, good size change. U will prob get pups.

[@peryalcala]

Hi Memo, I have a concern, why is my polli drying at the tip of the leaves.

[@His.Heart.]

humidity and not watering on time

[@claudiaesparza4046]

Is the alocasia polly and amazonica the same plant ??

[@dianeallen6819]

Yes they are the same plant

[@lisajames6479]

Do these Alocasias climb?

[@cathrinerhardt]

Alocasias don't climb because they don't have vining stems with aerial roots. You can stalk them to keep them upright though.

[@Hello_Fuckers0]

I love my alocasia amazonica/ polly. Except that it and my other Alocasia have spider mites. Currently quarantined them, about to give them a second treatment

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Yeah 😑😕 sadly so common with many alocasia, spider mites love them 😣 but usually a couple of treatments should help 😁