Alocasia Amazonica also known as Amazonia Polly or African mask is a compact house plant from the elephant ear family. It is a hybrid cross between two unverified parents.
It is popular because of its elaborate tropical foilage. Unlike its name, It originates from tropical southeast Asia and not the Amazon.
ALOCASIA AMAZONICA can be purchased, planted, and taken care of all year round in an indoor environment. Its green broad leaves give the home a nice tropical feeling, hence the name Amazonica.
Alocasia Amazonica Care Tips
Water and Humidity
Just like most plants in the tropical rainforest, ALOCASIA AMAZONICA requires constant watering and a humid environment for healthy growth. Soil should be kept moist and warm at all times during summer and spring. During the winter season, less water is required as the plant will enter a dormant state.
Excess watering during this period can lead to root rot. The soil has to be a little dry during the winter season as this will help prevent root rot.
Also, avoid leaving the plant under draft and harsh weather conditions. Using a humidifier to keep a moist environment is the best practice during this period.
Distilled water is the preferred choice when watering as their roots are sometimes sensitive to some things found in tap water.
Light and Temperature
Just like most plants in the rainforest, the ALOCASIA AMAZONICA loves and needs bright and indirect sunlight for healthy growth. Placing the plant in a window area Just like most plants in the rainforest, the ALOCASIA AMAZONICA loves and needs bright and indirect sunlight for healthy growth.
Placing the plant in a window area with access to light is good but also make sure that it is not placed under the harsh sun.
Despite having dark foliage, they love bright lights as they tend not to perform well in low light or dark environments as this might force them into a dormant state. You can either use a grow light or place them in locations with access to sunlight such as windows, sheltered balconies, etc.
Placing the flowers under room temperature is ideal, although warmer conditions won’t be an issue as long as you are keeping the temperature above 65°F to prevent the plant from entering into its dormant state.
Soil
Most home plants love soil types that are loose and well-draining for better water Most home plants love soil types that are loose and well-draining for better water retention and drainage.
A compact soil mixture sometimes prevents air and other nutrients from getting to the stump and roots of the plant and might not drain water fast enough.
ALOCASIA AMAZONICA prefers its soil to be lightly moist, not wet. The soil mixture should be able to let the excess water drain itself out to help preserve and prevent the roots from rotting.
Use of Fertilizer
ALOCASIA AMAZONICA doesn’t require frequent fertilizer application. Diluted Organic fertilizer can be applied once a month or every 2 weeks during the process of watering.
The best time for applying fertilizer is during spring and summer as this is the best month for growing alocasia plants. Fertilizer application during winter should be avoided as it risks burning the root as a result of the plant being in its dormant state.
Pruning
ALOCASIA AMAZONICA doesn’t need any form of pruning except when cutting off old, dried, and tattered leaves.
It has a unique growth pattern where new leaves are produced from old leaves. The old leaf produces a bigger new leaf and then dies off slowly underneath.
So if at all pruning is required, it should be carried out at the bottom to cut the old leaves out.
Propagation
There are two ways of propagating ALOCASIA AMAZONICA. The first way is through the use of bulbs.
ALOCASIA AMAZONICA produces bulbs that you can pick off when repotting your plant. Ensure the bulb is still hard as soft bulbs indicate problems.
The bulb should be placed with the root part downwards. Quick draining sand should be used to plant the bulb with a plastic or glass cover. Also, the soil should never run dry and have access to sunlight.
The second method involves root division. The plant should be taken out from its pot and excess soil shaken off.
At this stage, most clumps would have separated. If that’s not the case, a clean sharp knife should be used to cut vertically making sure to ensure the root on each clump is intact.
Individual clumps can then be potted and planted in an already prepared aroid soil and watered.
Dormancy
Alocasia amazonica mostly goes dormant during the winter season. This is a self-protective reaction that takes place whenever they find themselves in a cold or dark environment.
This usually happens especially during the winter season if they find themselves beside window sills that tend to get cold. This situation can lead to the plant deteriorating and being reduced to a stump in the pot and can grow back up the next season.
Keep the plants warm throughout the winter season, provide access to sunlight, and cut back on watering the plant so as not to overwhelm them when inactive.
Bonus Tip
Making the plant grow more foliage involves chopping off its blooms. This process pushes more energy into the growing plant and pushes out more foliage rather than focusing on the blooms.
Also, the ALOCASIA AMAZONICA is a dust attractor as a result of its large foliage. Leaves should be kept nice and clean at all times for the healthy growth of the plant and also for beautification purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
By growing the plant in lightly moist soil, but not soaking wet. The soil mixture should be able to let the excess water drain itself out to prevent the corm from rotting. Place in a bright and well-lit area with access to sunlight. Apply organic fertilizer during watering at least twice a month and lay off on watering during the winter season to prevent root rot.
Yes. Alocasia can be placed outside but it should not be under direct sunlight. Harsh weather conditions such as intense heat, extreme cold, and flooded areas can cause harm to the plant.
Yes. Alocasias can grow well in pots, provided they get enough humidity and sunlight. ALOCASIA AMAZONICA can be purchased, planted, and taken care of all year round in an indoor environment. Its green broad leaves give the home a nice tropical feeling, hence the name Amazonica.
Yes. Just like most indoor plants, alocasia amazonica needs a sufficient dose of sunlight to carry out photosynthesis. The plant can be placed in an area where it can assess sunlight moderately as direct sunlight can cause damage to its foliage.
Pruning is not necessary with alocasia amazonica because it usually has a limited number of leaves. Old leaves give birth to newer bigger leaves then wither and fall off. But if it becomes necessary to prune, use scissors or pruning shears to avoid causing damage to the top leaves and ensure you only cut the bottom old leaves.
