The fastest way to tell Alocasia Polly vs Bambino apart is the leaf shape. According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), ‘Polly’ has large, shield-shaped leaves, while ‘Bambino’ has arrow-shaped, smooth leaves with straight edges. Both are cultivars of Alocasia × amazonica, both have dark green leaves with silvery veins and purple undersides, and the RHS gives them the same care.
These two look alike at a glance, and plenty of online guides add “tests” that no botanical source supports. This guide sticks to what the RHS and the University of Florida actually describe, and flags the popular claims that don’t hold up.
Polly vs Bambino: Side-by-Side
| Feature | Alocasia ‘Polly’ | Alocasia ‘Bambino’ |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf shape | Large, shield-shaped | Arrow-shaped |
| Leaf edges | Not specified by the RHS | Smooth, with straight edges |
| Veins | Contrasting silvery green | Contrasting silvery white |
| Undersides | Purple | Purple |
| Size | 0.1 to 0.5 m height and spread | About 45 cm (18 in) tall; 0.1 to 0.5 m range |
| Time to maturity | 1 to 2 years | 1 to 2 years |
| Pets | Toxic (ASPCA, Alocasia) | Toxic (ASPCA, Alocasia) |
Source: RHS plant profiles for ‘Polly’ and ‘Bambino’; ASPCA. The University of Florida IFAS lists ‘Polly’ at 1 to 2 feet tall and wide.
How to Tell Them Apart
Leaf outline
Hold a mature leaf flat. A broad shield shape points to Polly; a slimmer arrow shape points to Bambino. Both leaves are pointed (the University of Florida calls Polly’s leaves arrowhead-shaped too), so compare overall width rather than looking for a point.
Leaf edges
The RHS describes Bambino leaves as smooth with straight edges. If the edges of your plant’s leaves are straight rather than broad and lobed, that supports Bambino.
The label and the seller
Bambino is sold as part of a “Bambino Series” that also includes Bambino Arrow. A grower’s tag with the full cultivar name is more reliable than any single visual feature.
Claims That Don’t Hold Up
“Bambino never gets taller than 8 to 12 inches”
The RHS lists ‘Bambino’ at about 45 cm (18 inches), and gives both cultivars a 0.1 to 0.5 m height range. A tall plant is not automatically a Polly, and a short one is not automatically a Bambino.
“Sunken veins mean Polly, raised veins mean Bambino”
We could not find this vein-texture test in any botanical source, including the RHS and University of Florida descriptions. Use leaf shape and edges instead.
What About Bambino Arrow?
Bambino Arrow is not just another name for Bambino. The RHS lists it as a separate cultivar, Alocasia × amazonica Bambino Arrow (‘Ruhe 1’), in the same Bambino Series. The RHS describes it as about 35 cm (14 inches) tall with narrow, arrow-shaped, glossy leaves, and gives it a longer time to maturity of 2 to 5 years.
Do They Need Different Care?
No. The RHS care notes for both cultivars are the same:
| Need | RHS guidance (both cultivars) |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright, indirect light; partial shade, east- or west-facing |
| Soil | Peat-free houseplant compost with added grit or perlite; moist but well-drained |
| Water | Water freely from spring to autumn; reduce to a minimum in winter |
| Feeding | General liquid fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks, spring to autumn |
| Humidity | High; stand the pot on a tray of moist gravel or pebbles |
| Temperature | Keep above 15°C (59°F) |
| Propagation | Divide the rhizomes in spring or summer |
Because pot size, light and season change how fast the soil dries, water by checking the soil rather than on a fixed schedule; a smaller plant in a smaller pot will simply dry out on its own timetable. For more on these plants, see our Alocasia Polly care guide, our aroid soil mix guide, and, if your window is dim, our guide to the best grow lights for indoor plants.
Common Problems
The RHS lists glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs as the main pests for both cultivars. Check the undersides of the leaves when you water.
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fine webbing, pale speckling on leaves | Red spider mite (RHS) | Isolate the plant, raise humidity and treat early; see our neem oil guide |
| White cottony clumps at leaf bases | Mealybugs (RHS) | Remove them by hand and monitor weekly |
| Yellowing leaves with soggy soil | Too much water, especially in winter | Let the soil dry more between waterings; the RHS advises minimal winter watering. See our root rot guide if roots are soft |
| Yellowing for other reasons | Several possible causes | Work through our yellow leaves guide |
Are They Toxic to Pets?
Yes, both are toxic
The ASPCA lists Alocasia as toxic to dogs, cats and horses because of insoluble calcium oxalates, causing oral irritation, swelling, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. The RHS adds that both cultivars are a skin and eye irritant, so wear gloves when handling them. If you suspect your pet has eaten part of the plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
For pet-safe alternatives, see our cat-safe plants guide.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose by leaf shape and space
Pick Polly if you like the broad, shield-shaped leaves; pick Bambino if you prefer the narrower arrow leaves with clean, straight edges; pick Bambino Arrow for the narrowest, most compact look. All three need the same bright, indirect light, humidity and warmth, so you can grow them side by side. Like other compact jewel alocasias such as Alocasia Black Velvet, they suit shelves and desks near a bright window.
Growing other alocasias? See our guides to Alocasia cucullata.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Alocasia Polly and Bambino the same plant?
No. They are different cultivars of Alocasia × amazonica. The RHS describes Polly with large, shield-shaped leaves and Bambino with arrow-shaped, smooth leaves with straight edges.
How do I know if I have Polly or Bambino?
Look at a mature leaf. A broad shield shape points to Polly; a narrower arrow shape with straight, smooth edges points to Bambino. Height is not a reliable clue, because the RHS lists overlapping sizes for both.
How big does Alocasia Bambino get?
The RHS lists Alocasia ‘Bambino’ at about 45 cm (18 inches) tall, within a 0.1 to 0.5 m height and spread range, reaching maturity in one to two years.
Is Bambino Arrow the same as Bambino?
No. The RHS lists Bambino Arrow (‘Ruhe 1’) as a separate cultivar in the Bambino Series, about 35 cm (14 inches) tall with narrow, arrow-shaped, glossy leaves.
Do Polly and Bambino need different care?
No. The RHS gives both the same care: bright indirect light, high humidity, temperatures above 15°C (59°F), liquid feed every 2 to 3 weeks from spring to autumn, and minimal watering in winter.
Are Alocasia Polly and Bambino toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists Alocasia as toxic to dogs, cats and horses because of insoluble calcium oxalates, which cause mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.