Polka Dot Plant: Care Essentials and Maintenance Guide

Polka dot plant care can be quite challenging, especially for beginner gardeners, because it will need constant care and attention from you.

However, a gorgeous polka dot plant of the Acanthaceae family adorning a desk or a window sill will definitely be the highlight of your house! Loved by green-fingered collectors for their fun and vibrant foliage, they’re an excellent plant to add to your collection.

They need quite a bit of care to thrive, so in this guide, our gardening team reveals their top tricks and tips for your favorite Hypoestes genus plant.

Polka Dot Plant Care Guide

The polka dot plant is incredibly common in the houseplant trade, and you can find it virtually everywhere. It’s also very showy, so buying one can be very tempting. However, this plant is by no means low-maintenance and requires constant attention.

Not only that, but it is a short-lived plant and will complete its life cycle in about a year. But with the right growing guide, you can enjoy its colorful foliage for longer.

Let’s take a closer look at how to care for the polka dot plant.

Light Requirements

The polka dot plant grows best in bright indirect light. Although it can tolerate low light conditions, it will gradually lose its vibrant colors and start becoming leggy. On the other hand, too much light will scorch the delicate leaves and dry out the soil too quickly.

We recommend keeping the polka dot plant on a windowsill, preferably in a room with eastern or northeastern exposure. A couple of hours of direct sunlight in the morning will maintain its confetti-like variegation while keeping it perky. Avoid exposing it to full sun any time after noon to prevent it from wilting.

Temperature Requirements

The polka dot plant is a tropical plant that prefers warm temperatures, ranging from 70 to 80 F (21 to 27 C). If you plan to grow the polka dot plant outdoors, you can do so in USDA zones 10 and 11. However, keep in mind that the plant will rarely grow for more than a year, and most gardeners prefer to dig it out and replace it with new plants in spring.

When growing the polka dot plant indoors, make sure it’s not exposed to any sudden drafts or changes in temperature. Hot drafts are particularly dangerous, such as the ones coming from heating vents or radiators. If you notice that the leaves are starting to curl up and feel a bit crinkled, it could indicate that a hot draft is drying out the plant.

Humidity Requirements

Aim for a humidity level of at least 50 percent when growing the polka dot plant indoors. You can increase the humidity around the plant by placing it on top of a pebble tray or next to a humidifier. Misting also works, although it’s not as effective as using a pebble tray. We also have a little gardening secret to share: the polka dot plant will tolerate growing in a dry room if the soil is kept adequately moist.

Water Requirements

Never let your polka dot plant go thirsty. It has a low resistance to drought, and skipping a single day in your watering routine can result in dramatic wilting. Luckily, the plant will perk back up after it’s been watered. However, if you forget to water the plant regularly, this will result in stress and leggy growth.

During the hotter months, you will need to water your polka dot plant as often as twice a week, sometimes even more. A plant growing next to the window or in a dry room will need more water than one growing in a terrarium, for example.

Our recommendation is to always check the top of the soil with your finger and make sure that it is constantly moist. Always use the soak-and-drain method for watering this very thirsty plant.

Soil Requirements

The soil used for potting the polka dot plant should be nutrient-rich, well-draining, moisture-retentive, and aerated. Soil also plays an essential role in helping you find the balance between keeping this plant well-watered and making sure it doesn’t have wet feet.

Making your own soil mix for the polka dot plant is surprisingly easy. The blend we usually go for is two parts universal potting mix and one part perlite or pumice. This ensures that the soil doesn’t dry out too quickly and that the roots aren’t constantly sitting in water.

Fertilizer Requirements

The polka dot plant enjoys a nutrient boost once a month, throughout spring and summer. We recommend using a balanced, liquid fertilizer with a nutrient ratio of 10-10-10. This will sustain its rapid growth and will even result in flowering.

Keeping a Polka Dot Plant Bushy

To keep your polka dot plant’s bushy shape, we recommend pruning the stem tips regularly. Use a sharp, sterilized blade and cut the tip below the leaf nodes. After a couple of weeks, you will notice that two new stems will start growing from the cut tip.

Not only that, but the leaves on the main stem will develop axillary buds, which also grow into stems. Wait until each new stem has three pairs of leaves, then prune the tips again. Repeat this process as often as needed.

If your polka dot plant has grown very leggy, with long stems and big gaps between the leaves, it’s worth giving it a more drastic ‘haircut’. We recommend doing this in late autumn, just before the plant enters its dormancy period.

Cut as much of the stems as you can, leaving only 2 inches (5 cm) above the soil surface. Make sure the stems have a few leaves attached to allow the plant to perform photosynthesis. The plant will grow new, bushy stems in spring.

Repotting

The polka dot plant has a very fast growth rate and will need to be repotted at least once a year. Often, you will have to repot it soon after buying it, given the fact that most nursery plants are pot-bound.

Give the plant a couple of weeks to acclimatize to its new home, then gently lift it from the nursery pot and inspect the roots. If they are growing in a compact mass or starting to come out of the drainage holes, repot the plant to a container that’s one size larger.

Propagation Guide

The easiest way to propagate the polka dot plant is through stem cuttings. Given the fact that it needs regular pruning, you’ll have a constant supply of cuttings throughout the year. The best time to propagate this plant is in spring and summer when it is actively growing.

To propagate your polka dot plant, use a sharp, sterilized pair of scissors and cut several stems. Trim some of the leaves at the bottom until you’re left with a bare stem that’s about 2 inches (5 cm) long. Place the cuttings in a shallow container with water, and keep them in a room with bright indirect light. The stems will develop roots in no time and should be ready to transplant into the soil after about three weeks.

Common Pests and Problems

This delicate plant can attract an entire host of pests and problems, especially if it’s not provided with the right growing conditions. Here are the main signs that your polka dot plant is struggling.

– Soft, Drooping Leaves

A classic sign that your polka dot plant is thirsty. Keep the soil moist but not soaked, and avoid letting the plant dry out completely.

– Curled, Crispy Leaves

This indicates that the air in the room is too dry or that the plant is getting too much sun. Keep your polka dot plant on top of a pebble tray, and make sure it doesn’t receive direct sunlight after the early hours of the morning.

– Yellowing Leaves

This could be a sign of overwatering. If you notice that the yellow leaves are starting to turn soft and brown, it could even indicate root rot. Take the plant out of the pot and inspect the roots. Trim off any roots that are soft and black, then repot the plant in a well-draining soil mix.

– Leggy Growth

Your polka dot is not getting enough sunlight. Move it to a brighter part of your home, but avoid direct sun exposure for long periods.

– Pests

The polka dot plant can be susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, fungus gnats, and thrips. Plants grown outdoors can also attract aphids and the blackfly.

Frequently Asked Question

Can Hypoestes phyllostachya be used in a dish garden?