Photo by L.A. Jackson
“Unusual.” “Plastic.” “Martian.” These comments are often made about an eye-catching houseplant named ‘Polly,’ a tropical alocasia that found its attractive way into American homes way back in the 1950s.
But just how pretty is ‘Polly’? Well, she is a visually sassy showoff with long, arrowhead-shaped leaves so shiny they look like wax. And running through these indented, deep emerald-green leaves are broad, bright veins that strike like lime-green lightning bolts.
Although ‘Polly’ is an alocasia cultivar, it refuses to stick to the script. Alocasias, along with closely related colocasias, are often interchangeably called “elephant ears” in reference to their leaf shape and (especially) large size. However, ‘Polly’ rarely reaches more than 2 feet tall, making it an ideal houseplant for many indoor settings.
A good location for this beauty is a room brightly washed in natural light. Just be sure to keep it out of direct sunlight because the harsh rays could singe the foliage. Also, avoid spots close to vents since the dry airflow can scrunch up the leaves. Finally, site this alocasia safely because it can be toxic to inquisitive kids or pets if eaten.
True to its tropical roots, ‘Polly’ likes humidity. In the typically dry environment of a house, setting the pot in a pebble tray that is watered often will help juice up this pretty plant’s immediate environment. Misting the leaves might seem like an option, but excessive surface moisture on the foliage could encourage diseases and fungi to come out and play. Occasionally wiping the leaves with a damp cloth is a better way to go.
In the winter, ‘Polly,’ sensing shorter days, will rest, so hold back on fertilizer and only water when the upper half-inch of potting soil is dry to the touch. This plant might even go dormant, losing leaves and sending owners into a panic because they “killed” it. Patience—wait until late winter to put ‘Polly’ back on a regular watering schedule with diluted fertilizer added at least once a month, and then watch young leaves emerge to greet the new spring.
As exotic as ‘Polly’ looks, you would think it would be hard to find. But nope—I have often spotted it in the houseplant sections of big box stores and have certainly found it in quality garden shops. Also, if e-shopping is your thing, it is very easy to find online.
January in the garden
• Yes, there can be a drought during the winter. That is why it is a good idea to maintain mulches throughout the cold months and water fall-planted ornamentals regularly if the rains don’t come. Also, evergreens will lose less moisture if an anti-transpirant spray, such as Wilt-Pruf, is applied during the cold, dry times.
• Got milk? Now is a good time to start saving clear, plastic milk containers for use in the early spring garden. By cutting the bottoms out, they can be great hot caps for tender, new plants.
• Got toilet paper? Also begin squirreling away cardboard toilet paper tubes for use this spring as cutworm collars around susceptible, newly planted annuals.
Tip of the month
If you are impatient for the arrival of spring, there are many woody ornamentals capable of putting on unexpected, spring-like shows in the garden during these chilly times, with flowers that are not only a treat for the eyes but for the nose, too. In particular, hybrid witch hazels (Hamamelis x intermedia) conjure up their fragrant blooms on the coldest days, as do the aptly named wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) and winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima). Ditto for the perfumed blossoms of two small evergreens, sweetbox (Sarcococca sp.) and winter daphne (Daphne odora).
L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. Contact him at lajackson1@gmail.com.