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4.6 out of 5 (162 experiences)


About Polka Dot Begonia
There are over 2,000 species of Begonia, and horticulturalists have created even more varities by cultivating all sorts of shapes and colors! They're native to tropical regions around the world, but are now found in homes in cold climates as well. Their taxonomy is far more complex than other plants, with species belonging to different cultivar groups. They contain oxalic acid, so be sure to keep them out of reach in homes with pets or children! ⚠️
Taxonomy
Begonia maculata
Begonia
Begoniaceae
Cucurbitales
Also known as
Spotted Begonia, Trout Begonia, Begonia corallina and Begonia flamingo, queen

How to care for Polka Dot Begonia

How often to water your Polka Dot Begonia

every 9
Polka Dot Begonia needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Polka Dot Begonia in your home

a window
Polka Dot Begonia may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Polka Dot Begonia in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Polka Dot Begonia

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Polka Dot Begonia after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Polka Dot Begonia is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
Water Needs
Polka Dot Begonia prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Polka Dot Begonia may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Polka Dot Begonia is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.
Humidity
Polka Dot Begonia doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
Soil
Polka Dot Begonia does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Polka Dot Begonia should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
Polka Dot Begonia does not have a typical pattern of dormancy. If you notice their growth slowing down substantially, double check that they are getting enough sunlight and water to thrive!
Native Region
Polka Dot Begonia is native to Tropics and Subtropics worldwide.
Flowers
Yes, you may see your Polka Dot Begonia bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
Growth Pattern
Polka Dot Begonia grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Polka Dot Begonia can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Polka Dot Begonia can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.
Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Polka Dot Begonia, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.
Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
Care Summary for Polka Dot Begonia
Polka Dot Begonia
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 3ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say












She’s so pretty with the pink on the leaves, cute flowers that show up pretty often, & have a beautiful pink color. The care is easy; I’m looking for another begonia to join it. I did have a trellis to give her some support. Shes one of my very favorite plants.









This is just such a beautiful, fun plant! I have mine sitting in an east-facing windowsill and it’s thriving with the early morning light, and so far it hasn’t been fussy about watering either. It’s grown a new leaf just about every week or two, some are big and some are small. Such a lovely plant to watch grow with their beautiful spiraling buds and iridescent white dots!


