# Alocasia (Alocasia × amazonica)

Canonical: https://plantguide.ae/plants/alocasia · Updated: 2026-10-07
Source: Plant Guide (https://plantguide.ae/plants/alocasia)

Alocasia · also called Alocasia Polly, African mask, Amazon elephant's ear  
indoor · exotic · family Araceae · grows 0.3–0.8 m tall, 0.3–0.6 m wide · moderate growth  
part shade · moderate water need  
Ratings for Dubai (1–5, 5 is best): heat 1 · salt 1 · drought 1 · shade 2 · ease of care 2  
Sow or plant: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov  
Uses: indoor, container

A compact, arrow-leaved alocasia ('Polly' and its relatives) with dramatic veined foliage. It wants warmth, bright light and humid air, is fussy below about 15.6°C, and is toxic to pets.

## About

Meet alocasia, the plant that looks as if it were cut from metal. 'Polly', the one most often sold in Dubai, has dark, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves with pale veins that stand up on long stalks, and relatives such as the velvety 'Black Velvet' push the effect further. NC State Extension describes 'Polly' as compact, to about 60 cm.

It is a plant with opinions. NC State places it in dappled forest shade and the RHS says it prefers medium to high humidity, bright indirect light, warmth above 16°C in the growing season and a rest in cooler, drier conditions in winter. NC State gives a minimum of 15.6°C (60°F). A Dubai flat supplies the warmth, but also dry air-conditioned air and cold vents, so alocasia asks for a humid, warm, bright corner and punishes a draught.

If you want the giant outdoor-style elephant ear for a shaded courtyard, see [Elephant ear](https://plantguide.ae/plants/elephant-ear.md). This page covers the compact indoor types.

Alocasia × amazonica is a hybrid in the arum family, Araceae, sold as 'Amazonica', 'African mask' or simply Alocasia 'Polly'. Acacia Garden Center lists it as Alocasia × amazonica, while NC State files the same plant under A. × mortfontanensis. NC State gives 1 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide; plants sold in Dubai are mostly 25 to 30 cm.

Light should be bright but indirect: the RHS says strong direct sun scorches the foliage and lower light slows growth. NC State says dappled sun and to avoid direct sun. In Dubai that means a bright room a metre or two back from tinted or low-E glass, with no hot afternoon sun.

Warmth and humidity are where it gets difficult. The RHS says to keep it above 16°C in the growing season and never below 10°C, to avoid cold draughts, and that it prefers medium to high humidity; low humidity attracts red spider mites. In practice that means a bathroom with a window, a group of plants or a humidifier, and a position well away from the vent. Misting does not raise room humidity (UNL Extension).

Water as needed from April to October, once the top 5 cm of compost has dried (RHS). In winter the RHS says it needs a rest in cooler, drier conditions, and losing leaves is normal. The sap irritates skin (RHS), and the ASPCA lists alocasia as toxic to dogs, cats and horses.

## Indoors in Dubai

- **Light:** grows well in bright indirect light. Bright, indirect light, a metre or two back from tinted glass. Strong direct sun scorches the leaves and lower light slows growth (RHS), so avoid hot afternoon glass and dim corners.
- **Dry air and air conditioning:** tolerance 1 out of 5 (1 = needs humidity help, 5 = indifferent). Fussy below about 15.6°C (60°F), so keep it out of vent air. Group it with other plants, use a humidifier and water once the top 5 cm of compost is dry; misting does not raise room humidity.
- **Pets:** not pet-safe: keep it out of reach of cats and dogs.
- **Size:** tabletop.
- **Rooms:** bathroom, living room, home office.
- **Finding it in Dubai:** specialist: look in specialist plant shops and larger garden centres.
- **Outdoors:** never: keep it indoors all year.

## Through the year

Alocasia has a clear rhythm. From April to October the RHS says to water as needed and feed with a general liquid fertiliser, and this is when new leaves unfurl. In the hot months, from about June to September, constantly running air conditioning is the main threat: low humidity attracts red spider mites (RHS) and cold vent air hurts it. From December to February it needs a rest in cooler, drier conditions (RHS), so water much less and accept leaf loss; new leaves return in spring. March to April and October to November are the months to buy and pot up: warm enough to carry a plant home safely, and not yet summer-hot.

| When | What | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov | Plant: Buy and pot up | Buy in warm months and carry it home warm; the RHS says to repot every couple of years in spring. |
| Apr–Oct | New growth: Main growing season | The RHS says to water and feed from April to October. |
| Apr–Oct | Feed: Feed April to October | General liquid fertiliser, following the pack (RHS). |
| Apr–Oct | Pest watch: Check for spider mites | The RHS says low humidity attracts red spider mites; NC State also lists mealybugs and aphids. |
| Dec–Feb | Dormant: Winter rest | The RHS says it needs cooler, drier conditions; foliage loss is normal and watering must be cut right back. |

## Care in Dubai

- **Watering in summer:** Water as needed from April to October, once the top 5 cm of compost has dried (RHS). Never let it sit in water: overwatering causes root rot and bacterial stem rot (NC State). Use filtered water if you can.
- **Watering in winter:** Cut watering right back. The RHS says it needs a rest in cooler, drier conditions, and that overwatering a dormant plant causes root rot. Leaf loss is normal; new leaves return in spring.
- **Soil:** A peat-free compost mixed with horticultural grit, about three parts to one (RHS), so it drains freely; NC State asks for fertile, well-drained soil.
- **Feeding:** A general liquid fertiliser from April to October, following the pack instructions (RHS); none in winter.
- **Pruning:** Cut yellow or dying leaves off at the base with clean scissors, wearing gloves, because the sap irritates skin (RHS).
- **Planting:** Repot every couple of years in spring into a pot only about 5 cm wider (RHS). Divide offsets to make new plants (NC State).
- **Pests and problems:** Spider mites; Mealybugs; Aphids
- **Toxicity:** Toxic to dogs, cats and horses, according to the ASPCA (Alocasia spp.): insoluble calcium oxalates cause oral irritation, pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue and lips, drooling, vomiting (not horses) and difficulty swallowing. The RHS says the sap irritates skin, so wear gloves. Keep it out of reach, or choose a pet-safe plant such as calathea or spider plant.

## Good and bad

**Pros**
- Dramatic, arrow-shaped, veined leaves give a strong focal point
- Compact 'Polly' type (about 60 cm) suits a table, console or bright bathroom
- Offsets can be divided to make more plants (NC State)
- Several types sold in Dubai, including 'Polly' and 'Black Velvet'

**Cons**
- Toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA); sap irritates skin
- Fussy below about 15.6°C (60°F), so keep it out of vent air
- Wants humid air, and spider mites follow dry AC rooms (RHS)
- Overwatering causes root rot and bacterial stem rot (NC State)
- Loses leaves in winter as it rests, which can look like failure

## Common mistakes

- Putting it by an AC vent. The RHS says to avoid cold draughts and NC State gives a minimum of 15.6°C (60°F); cold air blowing straight from a vent is the risk.
- Treating winter leaf loss as a failure and watering more. The RHS says the plant rests in winter, foliage loss is normal, and overwatering a dormant plant rots the roots.
- Ignoring the dry air. The RHS says low humidity attracts red spider mites; group plants, use a humidifier or choose a bathroom with a window.
- Putting it in hot afternoon sun. The RHS says strong direct sun scorches the foliage.
- Leaving it where pets can chew it. The ASPCA lists alocasia as toxic to dogs, cats and horses.

## Good to know

- The ASPCA lists Alocasia as toxic to dogs, cats and horses (insoluble calcium oxalates). The RHS says the sap irritates skin, so wear gloves when you handle it.
- Acacia lists it as Alocasia × amazonica and NC State files it under A. × mortfontanensis. 'Black Velvet' and other alocasias sold in Dubai are relatives with similar needs, and the ASPCA entry covers Alocasia as a genus.
- Retailers also sell the giant elephant ear, Alocasia macrorrhizos, as a houseplant. It is a 1.5 to 3 metre plant for shade in a courtyard, covered at [Elephant ear](https://plantguide.ae/plants/elephant-ear.md).
- On 7 October 2026 Plant Studio listed Alocasia 'Polly' at AED 85 and 'Black Velvet' at AED 149, and Acacia Garden Center listed a 25 to 30 cm 'Polly' at AED 95. Prices and stock change.

## Using it in a garden

Roles: Statement tabletop plant, Bright bathroom, Humid grouping, Console accent

Alocasia works as a single sculptural plant on a table, console or bathroom ledge where it can be seen from the front. Choose a bright, warm spot with a window, a metre or two back from tinted glass, and keep it out of the vent's airflow. A bathroom with a window gives the humidity it prefers. Keep it where pets and children cannot chew it.

- [Anthurium](https://plantguide.ae/plants/anthurium.md): Anthurium wants the same warm, bright, indirect, humid conditions, and its glossy heart-shaped leaves and spathes sit well beside alocasia's arrow-shaped ones.
- [Calathea](https://plantguide.ae/plants/calathea.md): Calathea's patterned, softer foliage fills in at a lower level and shares the need for humid air, so the two can share a tray or a humidifier's reach.
- [Philodendron](https://plantguide.ae/plants/philodendron.md): A trailing or climbing philodendron adds a second leaf shape in the same bright, warm corner and is easier to keep than alocasia if the air gets dry.

## FAQ

**Is alocasia hard to keep alive in Dubai?**  
It is fussy rather than impossible. It needs warmth (not below about 15.6°C, NC State), bright indirect light and humid air, which an air-conditioned flat does not give by default. A bright bathroom with a window, a humidifier or a group of plants, and a spot well away from the vent are what make the difference.

**Why is my alocasia dropping leaves in winter?**  
It may be resting. The RHS says alocasias need a period of dormancy in cooler, drier conditions, and foliage loss is normal. Water much less, keep it warm and out of cold vent air, and new leaves should return in spring.

**Is alocasia safe for cats and dogs?**  
No. The ASPCA lists alocasia as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, causing oral irritation, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Keep it out of reach, or choose a non-toxic plant such as calathea.

**Does misting help alocasia in an air-conditioned room?**  
Not enough to matter. UNL Extension says you would need to mist every few minutes to change room humidity. A humidifier, grouped plants or a windowed bathroom work better.

**Is alocasia the same as elephant ear?**  
They are related but not the same plant. This page covers compact indoor types such as 'Polly'. The giant elephant ear, Alocasia macrorrhizos, is a big shade plant for a courtyard; see the elephant ear page.

## Related plants

[Elephant ear](https://plantguide.ae/plants/elephant-ear.md) · [Anthurium](https://plantguide.ae/plants/anthurium.md) · [Calathea](https://plantguide.ae/plants/calathea.md) · [Philodendron](https://plantguide.ae/plants/philodendron.md) · [Monstera](https://plantguide.ae/plants/monstera.md)

## Photos

![Alocasia x amazonica](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Alocasia_x_amazonica_a1.jpg)  
Photo: Jerzy Opioła / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alocasia_x_amazonica_a1.jpg))

![Alocasia amazonica in a garden centre](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Alocasia_amazonica.jpg)  
Photo: Tangopaso / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alocasia_amazonica.jpg))

## Sources

- [RHS: How to grow alocasia](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/alocasia/growing-guide)
- [NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Alocasia × amazonica (filed as A. × mortfontanensis)](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/alocasia-x-amazonica/)
- [ASPCA: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — Alocasia](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/alocasia)
- [University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Houseplant humidity](https://lancaster.unl.edu/houseplants-humidity)
- [Plant Studio: indoor plants collection (prices, checked 7 October 2026)](https://www.plantstudio.ae/collections/indoor-plants)
- [Acacia Garden Center: indoor plants collection (price, checked 7 October 2026)](https://acaciagardencenter.com/collections/indoor-plants)