Grown as an annual garden plant or houseplant, its cheery foliage brightens up any spot.
The most popular variety has green leaves speckled with pink; other varieties have deep red or cream specks.
Small, tubular purple flowers grow as spikes, though the plant is primarily grown for its foliage.
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Plant it in the spring after that last frost.
It grows rapidly, maturing at 1 to 2 feet tall and wide.
Keep them consistently moist, and don’t let the soil dry out.
Polka dot plants are also easily grown in containers, either outdoors or as houseplants.
Indoors, they require bright, indirect light and moderate watering.
The polka dot plant is grown for its splashy foliage rather than its insignificant purple or pink flowers.
Pinch the plants when they grow leggy for bushier growth and to prevent flowering.
The amount of sunlight this plant will thrive on also depends on where you live.
The farther north you are, the more direct sun it tolerates.
Soil
Polka dot plant prefers organically rich, well-drained, crumbly, slightly acidic soil.
Amend heavy, nutrient-poor soils with compostbefore planting.
Water
Keep the soil moderately moist.
If it does wilt, polka dot plants usually bounce back with agood watering.
Container plants do best when slightly moist, but not soggy, at all times.
Water when the top 1/2 inch of soil is dry.
For houseplants, reduce watering slightly in winter.
Temperature And Humidity
Polka dot plants do well in the South because they thrive in humidity.
If your indoor humidity level is low, give the plant an occasional misting with a spray bottle.
Feed container plants with awater-soluble fertilizer for houseplantsonce a month during the growing season in spring and summer.
Use pruners to trim long branches.
Prune polka dot houseplants in the spring after their dormant period ends and before new growth emerges.
Cut stems back, leaving some nodes on each stem, to encourage compact new growth.
Note, however, that some varieties are trademarked or patented, and propagation in any form is prohibited.
If you intend to transplant it outdoors,start seedseight to 10 weeks before your last expected frost date.
Potting And Repotting Polka Dot Plant
Polka dot plants thrive ascontainer plants.
As an annual, the polka dot plant needs no repotting.
Spray the plant with insecticidal soap to prevent insects from hitchhiking a ride into your home.
Indoors, place the plant near a bright window but away from direct light.
Bring the plant back outdoors in spring once temperatures stay consistently above 50F.
Telltale signs of pest damage include discolored foliage or leaves with holes in them.
Root rot may kill plants that are overwatered or planted in heavy soil.
Signs include wilting stems and leaves, yellowing leaves, and stunted plants.
Polka dot plants are prone to getting powdery mildew, especially in low light and excessive humidity.
Increase airflow around the plant and don’t overwater or get the foliage wet.
Pick off affected leaves.
If you catch the problem early, spraying the foliage with neem oil helps to control powdery mildew.
The plant blooms in late summer or fall, then becomes dormant or dies.
Indoor plants bloom sporadically.
If your polka dot plant does not bloom, don’t worry.
With too little sunlight, leaves turn greener to better photosynthesize.
The plants usually grow leggy in too little light as well.
Move the plants to a spot that provides more shade, especially during the hotter hours of the day.
If the dropped leaves are crispy, dry, and turning brown, this is an indication of underwatering.
Give your plant a good soak, and then keep up with a consistent watering schedule.
If the dropped leaves are soft, yellow, or sickly looking, this is asign of overwateringor disease.
In spaces with lower light, the plant may become leggy, and the colors may fade.
Too much sun also causes the color to fade.
As a houseplant, polka dot plant is good on its own.
These cheery plants live for one to two years.
They complete their life cycle after flowering.
To extend the plants life, pinch off the flower spikes and dont allow it to develop flowers.
