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4.2 out of 5 (294 experiences)


About Polka Dot Plant
The polka dot plant is a small, charismatic houseplant that can be found in a variety of colors ranging from white, to pink, red, and purple. With excellent care, you may be able to get them to blossom! They produce delightful small pink flowers when given enough sunlight. 🌸
Taxonomy
Hypoestes phyllostachya
Hypoestes
Acanthaceae
Lamiales

How to care for Polka Dot Plant
How often to water your Polka Dot Plant

every 9
Polka Dot Plant 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
Finding light for Polka Dot Plant in your home

a window
Polka Dot Plant 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 Plant in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Polka Dot Plant

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 Plant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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Newest addition! Hypoestes pink splash, gives off that giddiness feel when everyone walks by her. #happyplants
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My polka dot plant is dropping leaves The leaves are towards the bottom and they turn yellow and then get crispy on the end. I let the soil dry out between waterings to avoid overwatering. Any recommendations?
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My polka dot plant is dropping leaves like crazy!! It started when I moved it close to a plant light while we were on vacation for 3 days. That really made it unhappy. But it’s been back in my bathroom with just the ceiling light for 3 weeks now. Why is it looking so pathetic? Compare to the Greg photo when I first got it #planthelpneeded #helpneeded #NorthTexasGregGang #PolkaDotPlant #PolkaDotPlantPeople @AnthuriumQueen @FitBrowallia @greenlikethumb @kscape @PlantBabyMama @RealSimpleMama @sarahsalith @Sassylimey @TidyTigerpear @MorePlants13 @tango @tmbryant37 @ShannonMHR @JustMeCheri
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My polka dot plant is falling apart! I was out of the house for a while and the plant didn’t get any water. Does anyone know what to do? All the of leafs and everything are ruined.
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Is it possible that it can come back from this? I may have over water her #PolkaDotPlant
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It’s been 6 weeks, no roots? Backstory in case it matters: I had a large cutting of this plant. It was in water for a week when a tray table came crashing down on it, and broke it apart. These two stems are what is left. One of the twigs didn’t even have any leaves, the other had one. They have been in water now for 6 weeks. As you can see, they’re growing and producing new foliage. One is flowering? But no roots? Is this normal? #PolkaDotPlant
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Polka dot plant I recently repotted my polka dot plant and it doesn’t seem to be doing so great. Any advice?
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Polka dot plant I recently repotted my polka dot plant and it doesn’t seem to be doing so great. Any advice?
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Polka dot care: growing slim and has flowers maybe? Should I cut the stems? Where should I cut them from? How to make it bushy? #PolkaDotPlant #pruning #NewGrowth #help #PolkaDotBegonia
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I forgot to water my polka dot plant and it dried out. Should I cut the stems so it can regrow?
Polka Dot Plant 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 Plant 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 Plant 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 Plant is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.
💨 Humidity
Polka Dot Plant 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 Plant 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 Plant 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
- Temperature dependent
- Based on plant health
- Depending on their conditions, your Polka Dot Plant may go dormant. Dormancy in this species is typically in response to poor light or a lack of water. You’ll know your plant has gone dormant when their growth slows down substantially. Depending on the cause, your plant can be coaxed out of dormancy by increasing their access to light or watering more often.
🌎 Native Region
Polka Dot Plant is native to South Africa, Madagascar, and Southeast Asia.
🌸 Flowers
Yes, you may see your Polka Dot Plant bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern
Polka Dot Plant grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
🌦️ Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Polka Dot Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11a. Find your local hardiness zone here.
🌱 Propagation
Polka Dot Plant 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 Plant, 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!
🧐 Troubleshooting
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
Care Summary for Polka Dot Plant
Polka Dot Plant
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.

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