How to Care for a Polka Dot Plant

Ever kill a plant on accident? Taking care of plants can be hard. Each plant has different sunlight and water needs. They also have different fertilizer schedules. The polka dot plant is a relatively easy indoor plant to start with if for someone who is new to plants.

I have been an avid plant lover for as long as I can remember. I have been taking car e of my own plants for a year and have learned a lot along the way.

Polka dot plants are native to South Africa, Madagascar, and Southeast Asia. The spots often merge into larger areas of color. They are evergreen tropical sub-shrubs that are noted for having ovate green leaves (to 2” long) which are spotted with rose, pink or lavender. They can be grown either individually or in a terrarium, growing up to 20” tall.

Polka Dot Plant

Fertilizer

Coffee Filter/River Rocks

Water

After purchasing the polka dot plant, the first step would be to transplant to a pot, because they come in plastic containers. The new pot needs to have a drainage hole. 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.

After transplanting, add more soil and pack it in. Water well and then allow the top 25% of the soil to dry out before watering again. Over-watering causes root rot. If the leaves droop, they quickly perk up after a little water.

Polka dot plants should be in indirect light. Too much light or too little light causes the colors in the leaves of this plant to fade. A south facing window would be an ideal place for the polka dot plant to be.

Feed monthly in the spring and summers with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 the usual strength. During the fall and winter, fertilize every other month. Polka dot plants prefer warm temperatures around 75°F. High humidity is preferred. Polka dot plants prefer a rich, loose, peat-based soil that drains well.

If the polka dot plant is looking a droopy and you’ve tried watering and giving him sun, try putting him in the bathroom while you shower. The humidity from the shower will perk up the plant.