Warm temperatures and humidity are key to growing polka dot plants. Expect to water regularly unless you get enough rainfall. Polka dot plants bloom sporadically, sometimes in the course of the summer season, with small lilac or pink-coloured flowers on spikes. Pinch off these flower spikes to maintain the plant’s energy centered on growing its vibrant foliage. Polka dot plants have change into a problematic, aggressive grower in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. This plant also wants regular feeding throughout the spring to fall growing season. Within the U.S., it is not invasive and is safe to plant in-ground. Within the U.S., it's not invasive and is safe to plant in-ground. Choose a planting site that is not in low gentle or an excessive amount of mild or else you possibly can expect the foliage colours to fade, lessening the plant's ornamental worth. When grown outdoors, polka dot plants like a spot with some shade. Vivid, indirect light is right indoors, comparable to from an east- or south-facing window. Polka dot plants desire organically rich soil with good drainage. Mix in some pumice or perlite to improve soil drainage. An all-goal organic potting combine is usually appropriate for these plants. Keep away from letting the soil fully dry out, which could cause the foliage to wilt and make the plant wrestle to survive. These plants like a moderate amount of moisture within the soil always. Water the plant when the highest half-inch of soil has dried out. Give sufficient water to moisten the soil evenly. By no means let the soil change into soggy, which can cause root rot and kill the plant. You will need to water container plants extra continuously than in-ground plants. Slightly reduce watering in the winter and resume your routine as soon as growth picks up again in the spring. These plants like humid circumstances, preferring a minimum humidity level of 50 %. Polka dot plants are only hardy in USDA rising zones 10 and 11, preferring temperatures over 60 degrees F. They ought to be planted exterior within the spring after the threat of frost has passed and brought inside should you plan to overwinter them effectively before the first frost of the fall. Feed container plants with an natural fertilizer designed for houseplants once a month through the warm rising season. If you need to raise the humidity, you'll be able to mist your plant’s leaves or place its pot on a tray crammed with pebbles and water so long as the bottom of the pot isn’t touching the water. These plants are heavy feeders. If planting in-floor, mix a layer of compost into the soil each spring. Within the principle species, Hypoestes phyllostachya, there are many varieties; all are bred for their leaf coloration. Polka dot plants are likely to get leggy. You’ll need a pair of unpolluted, sharp scissors or pruning shears to keep the plant from creating long, lanky branches. To advertise a bushier progress behavior, cut or pinch back the highest two leaves on every stem weekly. Though flowers sound good, it's best to clip them when they begin showing to extend the growing season of your polka dot plant. The flowers aren't as ornamental as the leaves anyway. The plant will die off or enter dormancy as soon as it has finished flowering. Actively trimming can assist the plant to grow healthier and more vigorously. Polka dot plants could be grown from seeds or stem cuttings. In case you are starting from seeds, sow them within the early spring. You can propagate from cuttings anytime; nonetheless, your success price of growing a healthy plant will be greatest in the spring or summer. Trimming your polka dot plant is a great way to maintain a bushier, healthier plant. If you live in a non-tropical local weather, your polka dot plants will die once the primary frost comes. In the event you notice your plant is dying outdoors, stem chopping is a superb solution to revive your plant indoors. Let's look at methods to propagate your polka dot plant from a stem chopping rooted in water or moist soil. 1. To propagate the polka dot plant utilizing stem cuttings, you will need a sterilized pair of scissors or shears. You will want a clean jar of water or a pot with a nicely-draining potting combine or peat moss. Optionally, you can use a rooting hormone. 2. Cut a chunk of stem from any part of the plant however make sure you could have not less than a 2-inch piece. If rooting in soil, you will have clear plastic wrap. A 4-inch piece is good. 3. If rooting in a jar of water, keep the water degree even by including water because it evaporates. It may possibly take two weeks or several months earlier than the foundation grows about 2 inches. Every other week, change the water completely to inhibit bacterial or algae progress until the foundation grows as much as 2 inches lengthy. 4. If rooting in the soil, place the contemporary-lower finish of your cutting into potting combine or peat moss and keep it evenly moist. 5. Cowl the cutting with clear plastic wrap until the stem develops leaves or other apparent development. Optionally, you can place some rooting hormone on the recent-cut finish earlier than planting it about an inch deep within the soil to help the rooting process. It can take a number of weeks to several months. 6. To check if the cutting has set roots, gently tug at the chopping to see if it has give or if roots keep the stem rooted within the soil. Only transplant the cutting outside once the risk of frost is gone. 7. The plant's chopping is able to be repotted as soon as the slicing has established a number of inches of latest growth. Place the plant in a sunny location. Sow seeds on the floor of warm, moist soil. The seeds should sprout in a couple of days. Solely plant outdoors after the menace of frost is over. As soon as the seedling has grown a number of inches-usually in a few weeks-it is ready to transplant into a larger container or plant outdoors. Its roots have nowhere to grow. If a plant outgrows its container, it turns into pot sure or root bound. A sure sign your plant has outgrown its pot garden pots is when the roots begin rising out of the drainage holes. The best time to repot a polka dot plant is in the spring after its dormant interval. Progressively improve the plant's pot dimension. Too giant a pot encourages the roots to deal with rising beneath the soil line, which isn't good for the plant's upward progress. Since this plant is a tropical plant, it is not going to survive frosty weather. The brand new pot shouldn't be greater than two inches wider and no more than two inches deeper than the previous pot. If kept outdoors in a container, convey these plants indoors to a partially sunny indoor spot. Earlier than the primary frost, you possibly can minimize stems from the plant, root them indoors in a small potting container or jar of water. Within the spring, you'll be able to replant it within the garden after the menace of frost is over. Widespread pests that get pleasure from polka dot plants are mealybugs, aphids, and whiteflies. Typical diseases associated with polka dot plants are root rot, leaf-spot diseases, and powdery mildew. Telltale signs of those bug infestations or illness embody foliage that is discolored, leaves that have holes or in any other case appear unhealthy, and small bugs transferring on the plants. The shortening of daylight hours tells the plant that the growing season is coming to an in depth, encouraging its flower progress. Its small lilac or pink-coloured racemes or flower stalks are insignificant and not recognized for their scent or look. This plant flowers in late summer or early fall. When flowers emerge, it triggers plant to start to go dormant. So, normally if you need your plant to last longer, it's best to cut or clip off the flowers as they begin forming. Here are the most common problems and a few potential solutions. Curling leaves and fading leaf shade are usually caused by a lot solar or too little. Polka dot plants are comparatively straightforward to grow when you get their growing conditions right. However, it needs to be stored out of sizzling, direct sunlight. Hypoestes phyllostachya wants shiny, oblique gentle to keep up its coloration. If it's in a container, transfer it to a shadier spot. If it's in-floor, assume about giving it some cowl. Insufficient water and humidity could cause the polka dot plant's leaves to show brown or begin drooping. Also, an excessive amount of sun can burn the leaves. Onerous water and overfertilization are different reasons for a polka dot plant's leaves turning brown. Overwatering causes yellowing of the plant's leaves. Modify your humidity or watering habits to see if you can revive the plant. Overwatering also can result in other extreme problems like root rot and powdery mildew. If you discover leaves yellowing, cut back the amount of water you give the plant and make sure you're utilizing potting soil with good drainage. Soggy soil causes the yellowing of the leaves and leaf drop. Polka dot plants are easy to take care of and propagate. Are polka dot plants simple to care for? How briskly does polka dot plant develop? It could actually sometimes be troublesome getting its growing circumstances good, but once established, it is often good to go. These plants have a reasonable development rate, although they are inclined to get choosy with their rising conditions and are likely to slow down their development charge if they aren't excellent. Polka dot plants usually complete their life cycle inside a 12 months. How long can polka dot plant dwell? However, you may prolong their life by propagating stem cuttings at the tip of the rising season.
