With its splashy polka - dotted leaves , the polka dot plant life is a fun and trendy houseplant If you want to tally some whimsical expressive style to your indoor garden , the polka dot industrial plant can be purchased online or from many local nurseries and big box stores . Read on to larn more about buying a polka dot industrial plant and how to care for it
Overview of the Polka Dot Plant
The polka Zen plant ( Hypoestes phyllostachya ) is a low - grow tropic foliage plant that is aboriginal to Madagascar It ’s beloved for its colored spotted folio that come out as though they ’ve been painted with scrap of rouge ,
This well-to-do - care flora has gained major popularity as a houseplant and terrarium industrial plant . It reaches just 10 - 15 in grandiloquent at matureness , with a mounding form and dense growth wont . The 2 - 3 column inch extensive oval leaves come in a grasp of colors like white , pinkish , red , purple , and green .
With proper care , the polka dot plant can blossom petite lavender or white flowers , but it is principally evaluate for its unambiguously patterned foliation that provides a pop of color in indoor spaces . Read on to learn more about purchasing and like for this playful plant .
Where to Buy a Polka Dot Plant
This voguish plant life has become wide available both online and in - stores at major retail merchant . Here are some places you may buy a polka pane plant :
Online via Etsy , Amazon , eBay , and major nursery websites
openhanded box stores like Lowe ’s . Home Depot Walmart . and IKEA
Local nursery , nursery , or garden center
husbandman ’s mart and plant life barter in some surface area
price typically range from $ 5 to $ 15 base on the sizing of the flora , with 4 inch starter plants on the lower conclusion and fuller 10 in hang up baskets costing more . Shop for a healthy , vibrant plant without insect damage or yellowing leaves .
How to Care for a Polka Dot Plant
give care for a polka dot plant is reasonably elementary as long as you run into its requirements :
Lighting : Bright , indirect light or filtered sunlight . Avoid direct red-hot sun .
Water : Keep territory systematically moist but not saturated . Water when top in of soil dry . Moderate humidity .
Temperature : Average room temperatures between 60 - 80 ° degree Fahrenheit . Avoid drafty arena .
dirt : plentiful , loose potting intermixture . Prefers slightly acidulous soil .
Fertilizer : employ a balanced fluid houseplant fertilizer every 2 - 4 week in the growing season .
Pruning : top back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth . take deadened or damaged leaf .
The polka Zen industrial plant prefers humid conditions similar to a terrarium or greenhouse . Mist the works daily or place its potbelly on a pebble tray for sum humidity . Feed more sparingly in downslope and wintertime calendar month .
How to Propagate a Polka Dot Plant
The polka loony toons flora is simple to disperse via tip cut :
Cut a 3 - 5 inch sound stem turn just below a foliage lymph node .
Remove humbled leaves and place the cutting in water supply or moist soil mixture .
Keep the cut warm and humid until theme shape in a few weeks .
Plant the rooted cutting in its own raft with clean potting premix . Keep moist and warm .
Pinching back leggy staunch will also stimulate two unexampled shoot to emerge where it was pruned . This easy propagation makes it simple to make more polka dot plant for liberal .
Common Problems With Polka Dot Plants
When grown in the proper conditions , the polka dot plant is relatively job - free . Potential issues to watch for include :
Leaf curling – because of too much light or deficient water . Move to a fishy patch and urine more oftentimes .
Faded leaf color – Can be due to too much sun , low humidity , or inadequate fertilizer . Increase watering and move to a bright , collateral wakeful location .
Leaf drop – Results from being too cold or too dry . addition temperatures and H2O more often .
Leggy ontogenesis – signal not enough light . hook back stems to elevate bushiness and move to a brighter location .
With some simple allowance , your polka battery-acid plant should thrive for years of use .
Tips for Growing a Polka Dot Plant
Here are some utile tips for successfully arise the polka back breaker flora indoors :
Start with at least an 8 inch good deal with drainage trap to allow adequate tooth root quad as the plant uprise .
Water when the top 1 - 2 inches of soil become dry and keep humidness moderate to high .
Pinch back foresighted shoot to advance full , bushy young growth .
Turn the plant often for even Sunday exposure to all incline .
pass over rubble off leaf sporadically and remove any dead foliage or spent flower .
Propagate unexampled industrial plant from backsheesh cut to create a full , vibrant slew .
Repot per annum in the outflow , act up just 1 pot size each metre to debar stress .
With consistent care , your coloured polka dot plant will thrive indoors , providing a upbeat , playful speech pattern to your home .
FAQs About the Polka Dot Plant
Here are answers to some commonly expect questions about polka dot plants :
How much light does a polka dot plant need?
Polka dot plants need burnished , separate out light . An east or west - present windowpane is idealistic . Direct sun will blow over the leaves .
How often should you water a polka dot plant?
Water whenever the top in of soil becomes ironic , usually every 5 - 7 days . The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged .
What temperature is best for polka dot plants?
Daytime temperatures of 65 - 80 ° F are idealistic . Nighttime temp around 60 ° F . forefend dusty draft below 55 ° F .
How do you revive a dying polka dot plant?
Move to a shady spot and increase piddle and humidness . Prune off any dead or damaged leafage and cabbage back leggy stems . Fertilize to encourage new growth . Discard plant if it can not be repair .
Enjoying the Playful Charm of the Polka Dot Plant
With its brilliantly dotted foliation , the polka dose plant is a delightfully playful accent plant for any indoor garden . Now that you know where to find these cheerful plants and how to like for them properly , you’re able to tally some polka sprinkle pizzazz to your place decor . Just provide adequate warmth , humidity , and smart indirect sunlight for your polka Zen plant to flourish .
