How to Propagate Alocasia Polly for More of These Stunning Tropical Plants

With their dramatically shaped, glossy leaves in shades of metallic green, silver and even purple, Alocasia ‘Polly’ makes a striking statement in any indoor garden Luckily, propagating these beauties is straightforward, allowing you to expand your plant collection

In this article, we’ll look at when and how to propagate Alocasia Polly using division. Read on for tips to multiply these tropical stunners.

When is the Best Time to Propagate Alocasia Polly?

Alocasia Polly is a tuberous plant, meaning it stores energy and nutrients in an underground stem called a rhizome This rhizome sends up new shoots and foliage

The best time to propagate Alocasia is during the active growing season in spring and summer when the rhizomes are plump and healthy. This provides the new propagations the best chance to establish before going dormant in fall and winter.

How to Propagate Alocasia Polly Through Division

Division is the most effective propagation method for Alocasia and takes advantage of their naturally clumping growth habit. Follow these steps:

Supplies Needed

Clean, sharp knife or pruning shears

Container slightly larger than root mass
Houseplant potting mix amended with perlite or orchid bark
Optional: Rooting hormone powder

Step 1: Water Plant Well

Water your Alocasia Polly thoroughly 1-2 days before dividing. This makes removal from the pot easier and lessens stress.

Step 2: Remove from Pot

Turn pot on its side and gently slide plant out. You may need to loosen edges with a knife.

Step 3: Rinse Roots

Rinse or soak roots in water to remove soil and inspect rhizome. Look for offsets connected to main rhizome.

Step 4: Divide Rhizome

Carefully separate offsets from main rhizome using sterile knife or pruners if needed. Avoid damaging tubers.

Step 5: Prepare Pots

Fill pots 2/3 with well-draining potting mix amended with perlite or orchid bark.

Step 6: Plant Offsets

Plant divisions at same level as before. Water well. Consider rooting hormone to encourage establishment.

Step 7: Provide Warmth and Humidity

Place in bright, warm location out of direct sun. Mist leaves daily and keep soil evenly moist but not soggy.

Within a few weeks, your new Polly plantlets will settle in and resume active growth. Pot up into larger containers as they become rootbound.

Caring for Newly Propagated Alocasia Polly Plants

With the right care, your propagated Alocasia Polly will quickly flourish:

Acclimate new plants gradually to lower humidity and light levels.
Move to brighter light but avoid direct hot sunlight which can scorch leaves.
Water whenever the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry. Allow to partially dry between waterings.

Maintain warm temperatures around 70°F-80°F for active growth.
Feed monthly with diluted liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Repot each spring into container one size larger. Divide when overcrowded.

Troubleshooting Propagation Problems

Propagating Alocasia Polly is usually straightforward but occasionally issues arise:

Rotting tubers likely mean too much moisture. Allow more time between waterings.

Weak growth can indicate not enough light. Slowly move plant to brighter area.
Drooping leaves or loss of color may signal low humidity. Mist more frequently.
Failure to root could be due to taking divisions when dormant. Propagate in spring or summer.

Lack of new growth may indicate transplant shock. Ensure proper care and give more time to establish.

The Satisfaction of Propagating Your Own Plants

Increasing your Alocasia Polly collection through division is tremendously rewarding. In no time, you can turn a single plant into multiple pots overflowing with these incredible arrowhead leaves.

Propagating your own also saves money compared to buying new plants. Share divisions with other houseplant fans and swap for different Alocasia varieties.

How to Rejuvinate an Alocasia Polly Dividing and taking Cuttings

FAQ

Can you grow Alocasia from a cutting?

You can also place the Alocasia cuttings in water. Although not every Alocasia specie is suitable for water propagation. If you’re going to repot the mother plant as well, we recommend choosing a pot that is 20% larger than the previous one. After about a month the roots will have recovered, and growth may be visible.

Can Alocasia be rooted in water?

So if you have a true Alocasia, it should be able to handle the wet conditions. However, as I’ve mentioned above, they tend to rot fast and easy in certain mediums, such as coconut coir or very dense potting soil. These roots need oxygen, which they do get even when they’re in water.

How to propagate Alocasia in elephant ears?

How to Propagate Elephant’s Ear. Elephant’s ear plants send out underground runners that eventually rise to the surface and begin growing a new plant. Divide the plant by using a sharp shovel to cut the pup from the parent plant, making sure it has roots attached. Put the pup in a pot with well-draining potting mix.

How do you propagate Alocasia Polly?

Here’s how to propagate your Alocasia Polly: Step One: Thoroughly water your plant the day before, which will help the soil release from your plant’s roots without damaging them. Step Two: Remove your Alocasia Polly from its container. Step Three: Loosen the soil with your hands. Step Four: Take time to inspect your plant’s root system.

Can You repot Alocasia Polly?

If you can repot a plant, you can divide it. Here’s how to propagate your Alocasia Polly: Step One: Thoroughly water your plant the day before, which will help the soil release from your plant’s roots without damaging them. Step Two: Remove your Alocasia Polly from its container. Step Three: Loosen the soil with your hands.

Can Alocasia be propagated?

That being said, propagating them is actually super easy! Typically, propagating almost any plant should be done just before the dormant Winter months. This rings especially true to rhizomatous plants like alocasia. During the cold months, the plant is focused more on root growth and bulb division than on growing more foliage.

Can Alocasia Polly grow indoors?

While alocasia Polly rarely blooms while kept indoors, it’s a good idea to prune back any spent flower heads to help promote leaf growth. If your healthy alocasia Polly is growing from at least two bulbs with two leaves, you can propagate the plant by division.