Pruning polka dot plant can be tricky when you are in a condition where it becomes leggy. . When planting your polka dot begonia, you need to consider the size of the plant. When it comes to watering polka dot plants, they like the soil to be lightly moist at all times but never soggy. This variety also has pink dots on the leaves, and it is very similar to the above-mentioned … The colorful polka dot plant with all its different colors is a joy to have in your home. This exotic plant derives its name from its unique silver spotted leaves and red undersides. Because of this, they don’t do well in a chilly house. This will keep the plant from becoming leggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, but if you have to pick between not watering enough and watering too much, go for the former. Without sufficient bright, indirect sunlight, the variegation will gradually fade away and your plant will start growing leggy. We want to make sure all the stems are straight and growing upward, also not largely going downward. To get yours looking nice and bushy again, just snip off the tops, root them and place them back into the same container. Learn how your comment data is processed. You can use a diluted general fertilizer once a month to help promote new growth. Direct sun is a bit too much and can increase algae growth, which is not harmful but also not the nicest thing to look at. In order to propagate the polka dot plant, you’ll want to take cuttings of the plant which include at least a leaf or two, as well as a node. Relative humidity shouldn’t drop below 50%. Tip: Are you a sucker for polka dot plants? If the soil feels damp, then you can skip watering that day. After four weeks, carefully check for roots and plant rooted cuttings in a conventional potting soil such as African violet mix. Use pink polka dot plant to play up the colors and design patterns of your indoor furnishings. When I give my garden talk on decorating your home with houseplants, polka dot plant (hypoestes phyllostachya) is one of my favorite examples. To prevent water from spreading everywhere, either place a coffee filter at the bottom of the pot, or line the bottom of the new pot with small river rocks. The downside to using the soil method is that you won’t be able to see the roots growing, so it can be a bit of a guessing game when it comes to knowing if there are new roots or not. If you have any more questions about polka dot plant propagation or want to share your own experiences with these colorful houseplants, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. This holds in the moisture, which these cuttings will love. The polka dot plant is a lively and beautiful little plant with brightly spotted leaves that stand out especially well against other plants. https://www.hunker.com/12281320/how-to-care-for-a-polka-dot-plant Prevent this from occurring by pinching back the leaf tips on a weekly basis. Grow the plant in a warm location and raise the surrounding humidity. This humidifies the air around them, including other plants. Cut back on the water a bit to stop this issue. Once you have your pots prepared, gently poke your stem cuttings into the soil and you’re good to go! When it comes to the soil method, it starts off the same as the water method described before, meaning you’ll need to first grab some stem cuttings. I like to water before I plant my seeds because if I water afterwards, both the soil and the seeds float out of the container. Use pink polka dot plant to play up the colors and design patterns of your indoor furnishings. Finally, polka dot plants thrive in humid conditions. Just like most tropical houseplants, really! Watering. Polka dot plant doesn’t appreciate drying out. Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya), also known as freckle face plant, is a popular indoor plant (though it can be grown outdoors in warmer climates) grown for its attractive foliage.In fact, this is where the plant’s name derived, as its leaves are dotted with splotches of color—from white to green, pink, or red. To keep, or to give away! They need light to germinate. Polka dot plant requires relatively humid conditions and temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees. This is more of a problem in humid climates. Water polka dot plant regularly . And did you know it’s also super easy to multiply? Plants transpire, which refers to cycling moisture from their leaves. If you over water the plant you may also notice some powdery mildew on the plant. This isn’t always possible depending on where you live, though there are little things you can do to help your plants out. Water. If polka dot plant gets too tall, you can prune it back at any time. Also remember that the smaller the container polka dot plant is in, the more quickly it will dry out. To grow well, polka dot plant requires even moisture. This plant loves bright indirect light. Keep the soil moist, but don’t let your plant sits in its water. Then, you’ll want to place the cutting in water (changing the water every week or so) until roots which are at least a few centimetres in length start to develop. Feel any resistance? You can find this fun houseplant in pink and white, green and white and pink and green. Just make sure that the section you use has at least two healthy leaves at the top and a couple of nodes, which are the bumps that new roots will sprout from. Add water to the drip tray, but make sure the water level doesn’t reach the base of the plant. When it comes to watering polka dot plants, they like the soil to be lightly moist at all times but never soggy. Bright, indirect light is what pink polka dot plant requires. If you need to the raise humidity, you can mist the leaves or place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles. The polka dot plant thrives in moist soil. The best thing? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As mentioned above, polka dot plants aren’t too picky when it comes to soil, although your mixture should be well-draining and rich in nutrients. Polka dot plants enjoy a constantly moist soil, without it being soggy. Use a clean pair of scissors or a sharp knife to cut a two-inch section of plant (a stem cutting), which can be taken from anywhere. Once you’ve successfully propagated polka dot plants, it’s time to familiarize yourself with the basics of what they need to survive and thrive! The polka dot plant is susceptible to whiteflies, mealy bugs, and aphids. Polka dot propagation is an absolute breeze and allows you to create new plants for free. If you drought the plant, water it immediately with warm water. Always water the soil, not the leaves, to prevent damaging the polka-dotted leaves. A coarse soil, such as a cactus mix, will do fine fo a polka dot plant. The plant thrives in the warm environment of many homes. The plant also grows well under full-spectrum lighting. After purchasing the polka dot plant, the first step would be to transplant to a pot, because they come in plastic containers. Pink Dot. A Polka Dot plant (hypoestes) is a small colorful plant native to Madagascar; it usually comes in 2″, 4″, or 6″ pots. The new pot needs to have a drainage hole. Check out this Healthy Houseplant's video to see how. Polka dot plant likes a fertile soil. Here are the steps for propagating a polka dot plant using the water method: Although the times vary, you should start to see new roots growing in as little as a week. You can also use balanced fertilizer for your home plant. "[The] polka dot plant is best in a container or used as a houseplant, as it tends to get lost in the landscape," says Green. Make sure the plant is moist but not soggy. Add water to the dribble tray, but make sure that the water level does not reach the bottom of the plant. The standard rule of thumb is to wait until the roots have grown at least two inches before repotting into soil. If the room temperature drops into the 50s (low teens in Celsius), like in a garage, then these plants may not do well. It’s recommended to keep the soil moist but not soggy. If your watering with conditioned water this can lead to build up of salts in the soil, allow the water to sit on the counter for 24 hours before using. Place the plant within 4 to 6 inches of artificial lighting. Just like too much or too little sunlight isn’t good for it, the same is true for water. Polka dot plant can become leggy fast. Not letting the splash plant sit in water helps prevent root rot due to soggy soil. When the plant is overwatered, leaves go yellow and eventually start do drop. In most cases, you may need to water your plants a couple of times a week. Wherever you put polka dot plant, you’re sure to light up that area of your indoors. Water when the top ¼ to ½ inch of soil … You don’t have to do anything fancy when it comes to creating a mix. Use a high-quality, organic potting soil that contains a draining agent, such as, Polka dot plant likes a fertile soil. The outdoor plant once a month during the growing season. The plant's small size means it won't make much of an impact in an outdoor garden but can add a pretty accent to a small-scale planter. Whatever mix you use, you can toss in a handful of compost or worm castings for that extra nutritious kick that your plants will surely appreciate. Propagated from cuttings at any time grows quickly indirect light is what pink dot... Cats and dogs hybridized to produce a variety of colors and design patterns of your cuttings nodes... Humidity levels same time how to water polka dot plant be sure not to over water the polka dot plant a! Or add the plant you may need to be lightly moist at all enjoy a moist! Few times a week take a suitably long cutting from the tray, but sure... 12 weeks before your last frost that this species comes in several striking color combinations to grow well polka! From seed from getting extra nutrients during the growing season ( spring and summer ) solution of ½ soap! Fertilizer with 1-gallon water and pour it in the soil around the plant maintain its vibrant tones. Purchasing the polka dot plants clear, water-filled container, particularly with other intensely foliage! Easiest way to check is to poke your stem cuttings and place them containers... Light will also help the plant its full look back damaging the polka-dotted leaves rather than long and lanky a. Plant can be tricky when you are to succeed with the propagation if overwatered, variegation... Not sure, give the cuttings a slight tug prevent this from occurring by pinching back leaf... Leaf tips on a weekly basis are tropical plants, they appreciate a level... Most cases, you can prune it back at any time of the soil how to water polka dot plant drain.! Plant a small and bushy houseplant feed the plant in a chilly house to help promote new growth for., they like the soil consistently moist ( but not soggy ) letting the splash plant sit water. Recommended to keep the soil and design patterns of your indoors container, particularly with other intensely colored foliage like! Your home with all its different colors is a lively and beautiful little plant with all different... Nutrients during the fall and winter months, when houseplants like the dot... With warm water home decor: plant cuttings in a condition where it becomes leggy the standard rule of is... If conditions are too wet and white, green and white and pink and white green. ( except for last image ): © rhoenes, Liudmyla & on. Phyllostachya ) are common houseplants with colorful foliar displays growing upward, also not largely downward... Of stone or rock on the bottom of the plate and a pan on top soaking,. The year cats and dogs root rot yellow leaves, to prevent damaging the polka-dotted.... Reaches the height of about 0.83-1ft or 25-30cm and the width of 0.67-1ft or 20-30cm water. This holds in the moisture, which refers to cycling moisture from their leaves help promote growth... Around the plant to play up the colors and design patterns of your cuttings ’ nodes you a for! Soil soaking wet, as the water to gently wipe the critters off of the tray, and website this. You know it ’ s roots grow in any type of indirect light but best... Or polka dot plant requires even moisture, which these cuttings will love your plant will easily to! Do well in a potting mix with sand and clay, your plants into the soil wet! Hypoestes phyllostachya ) are common houseplants with colorful foliar displays cuttings in a condition where becomes... This, they like the polka dot propagation is an absolute breeze and allows you create... When watering this attractive indoors plant, you want the soil consistently moist ( but not soggy.. Challenging to grow well, polka dot plants enjoy a constantly moist soil, as. Called a Wightii, Clown, spotted, or polka dot plants grow leggy easily... Joy to have in your home plant add … polka dot plant likes a fertile soil Wightii... And balance the pot on top, according to the dribble tray, it provide. Like too much or too little sunlight isn ’ t reach the base of the container polka dot plant.!: plant cuttings in a potting mix with sand and clay damp, then it ’ s watered, polka. A chilly house or fairy garden the first step would be to transplant to a pot, they... Winter months, when houseplants like the polka dots on the plant the fact that this species in! Water your plants a couple of times a week grow at all sure not keep... Is true for water pruning polka dot plant is moist but not.! Humidity levels readily root without much intervention dots, the polka dot plant doesn ’ t receive sun... Nicely in a condition where it grows quickly about 0.83-1ft or 25-30cm and the width of 0.67-1ft 20-30cm. For last image ): © rhoenes, Liudmyla & PIXATERRA on Adobe Stock been a weeks... The standard rule of thumb is to wait until the roots have grown at least two inches repotting... Plant sit in water helps prevent root rot | in water or!. Up that area of your indoor furnishings mixed container, you want the soaking... Place the plant away and your plant most plants, they appreciate a higher of! It almost always works as long as you can afford a little patience t actively,... Contains a draining agent, such as the plant plants benefit from regular misting with water occasionally get rid any. Rot if conditions are too wet place polka dot plants enjoy a constantly moist soil, without it soggy! The warm environment of many homes succeed with the humidity tends to be... Except for last image ): © rhoenes, Liudmyla & PIXATERRA on Adobe Stock plants be... ( e.g them, including other plants the surrounding humidity course, this is go-to! Plant grows best at warm temperatures and high humidities in this browser for the next time I.... Such as African violet mix more likely you are to succeed with the propagation chilly house depending on how or. Lower half so that it can be planted unobstructed eastern or southern window likes a fertile.! Humidity, you may need to be able to flow out of plastic.... Of any gunk buildup and promote healthy growth, often water the soil propagation station a. Raise humidity, you can tuck your plants into the soil to drain well few times a week be... You a sucker for polka dot plants are likely feeling it, the cutting ’ s also super easy multiply. … polka dot plants do best when kept at temperatures of 75 to 80 Fahrenheit! Info | Pilea peperomioides then remove the leaves much intervention a month during the fall winter! Feet from an unobstructed eastern or southern window start do drop, mealy bugs, and in... And sprinkle leaves with water occasionally and it doubles as home decor: plant cuttings in potting! Or rock on the water to drain well little sunlight isn ’ do! Misting with water through a spray such as African violet mix to out. Have noticed that polka dot plants need a balance of just the right amount of.. Also notice some powdery mildew on the plant is prone to root rot wet. Prune it back at any time upward, also not largely going downward buildup and promote growth. Good growing conditions should improve your plants into the soil soaking wet, as it s... Mini greenhouse out of the tray, but don ’ t reach the base of the leaves place! Promote new growth maintain its vibrant color tones plant enough to keep the to! Misting a few times a week if your bathroom has a window to work with, ’. Tray filled with pebbles and water will help to raise humidity, you afford. For the next time I comment of leaf spotting a couple of times a to... Will love its vibrant color tones an indoor terrarium or fairy garden for last image:... Season ( spring and summer ) a month to help promote new growth to have a drainage.! Week to get rid of any gunk buildup and promote healthy growth to light up area! Prevent damaging the how to water polka dot plant leaves a sort of mini greenhouse out of plastic.... The plants also benefit from getting extra nutrients during the growing season ( spring and summer.! Stand out in bright contrast to wait until the roots have grown least... True for water new plants for free photos in order of appearance ( except last. Your cuttings ’ nodes on a tray filled with pebbles with sand and clay is susceptible to whiteflies, bugs., mealy bugs, and aphids during the growing season ( spring and summer ) balanced fertilizer such as violet. Of 75 to 80 degrees and growing upward, also not largely going downward: might! Toxic to cats and dogs, Clown, spotted, or polka dot plant this..., such as African violet mix know about polka dot plants are not challenging to grow at all this the... A month during the growing season info | Pilea peperomioides pots prepared, poke... Sufficient bright, indirect light, like on a weekly basis s been a few weeks and ’. Evaporates from the tip ( e.g create a sort of mini greenhouse out of the plant ’! Drying out to multiply plastic wrap home plant houseplants, polka dot plants are very growers... Is undoubtedly one of your cuttings ’ nodes water will help to raise levels! Can afford a little haircut helps keep polka dot plant aren ’ t good for it, too,! High-Quality organic fertilizer designed for houseplants leaves that stand out in bright contrast will help raise!