A polka dot plant looks beautiful in dish gardens or in small decorative containers. Debra LaGattuta is a certified master gardener with decades of experience with perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. Polka dot plants grow well in environments offering a minimum relative humidity of 50%. Polka dot plant requires moist air and temperatures around 75 degrees Fahrenheit to grow well. These plants are fairly heavy feeders. Warm temperatures and humidity are key to growing polka dot plants. All can be made in 45 minutes or less. Height/Spread: 16 to 22 inches tall and 8 to 14 inches wide. Explore the best in fall perennials and start planning your autumn garden's layout. Feed container plants with an organic fertilizer designed for houseplants once a month during the growing season. Simply pinching off any stems that get too long or flowers as they begin to develop will keep them happy.". They include: Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener and the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home.". The polka dot plant is a lively and beautiful little plant with brightly spotted leaves that stand out especially well against other plants. There are so many delicious ways to use this hard-shell squash, from soups and salads to lasagna and pizza. Polka dot plants to try: Hippo® series 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 not especially difficult to grow, but because they are only native to warm climates many gardeners treat them as annuals and replace them with new plants each year. Whether you are gifted with a green thumb or not, our guide will help you grow the perfect houseplants. 10 Low-Care Plants That Grow Well in Terrariums. Bright, indirect light is ideal indoors, such as that from an east- or south-facing window. Polka dot plants stay relatively small, with a typical height and width of about 12 to 18 inches, according to Cornell's growing guide. The cheery plant is known for its brightly patterned leaves, which show off splashy red, pink, and white tones against a deep green background. 18 Fall Centerpieces That Will Elevate Your Table, The Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner Menu for Your Smaller Celebration, Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners, 16 of Our Best Fall Harvest Decorating Ideas for Your Home, The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year, How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts, Your Guide to the Most Popular Fall Perennials, How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor, How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now, Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home. Common varieties grow between 0.5 … It has grown extremely tall and falls over, so I have cut it back quite a lot. For cuttings, trim roughly a 5-inch stem length from an established plant, and dip the end in rooting hormone. This also can help the plant to grow healthier and more vigorously. Before planting the plant, check the drainage hole on the surface of the pot. But, if you want them to look their best, pinching them back when their shoots get to 10 to 15 inches is a good idea. Moreover, polka dot plants bloom sporadically, typically during the summer, with insignificant lilac flowers on spikes. Growing Polka dot plant in pots You can easily plant polka dot plant in medium and small-sized utensils indoors. They're best planted in the spring, they have a moderate growth rate, and they remain relatively small once they're mature, especially when grown indoors. However, you want the soil to drain well. Polka dot plant grows 1 – 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide. A good rule of thumb is to water when the top half-inch of soil has dried out; keep in mind that container plants will generally need more frequent watering than those planted in the ground. Colorful Hypoestes phyllostachya—also known as the polka dot plant—is a petite, low-maintenance houseplant that adds a bright burst of color to shaded container gardens and indoor pots. Polka dot plants can be grown either from seeds or stem cuttings. Originating in warm… If you are starting from seeds, sow them in the early spring, placing them on the surface of warm, moist soil. According to Cornell University's growing guide, cuttings can be taken at any time, but anything you cut will actually root best in the spring and summer months. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. It can be grown indoors in bright light. Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free. They also can be grown in containers and as houseplants. This video will teach you tricks & tips for keeping your polka dot houseplant healthy & happy as an indoor plant! They produce modest, pale purple blooms, which most gardeners remove, and grow naturally into a low, rounded shape—but can begin to spread out and thin if the flowers thrive. "The only way to overwinter polka dot plants is to grow them indoors as a houseplant," says Green. Outdoors in garden soil, they’ll appreciate a layer of compost mixed into the soil each spring. Welcome guests to your home this autumn with rustic gourd garlands, decorated pumpkins, and wreaths and centerpieces made from foraged materials. When grown as an annual, they tend to be much smaller. For the container plant, you use commercial potting. Polka dot plants stay relatively small, with a typical height and width of about 12 to 18 inches, according to Cornell's growing guide. "Polka dot plants will go dormant and appear dead once they flower, so to prolong its life, it is best to prune it and not allow it to develop flowers," says Green. I.e. Then, plant the cutting in warm, moist soil; roots should start to grow in about a week. Polka Dot Plant is another popular plant in USA. Grow polka dot plant in a bright or medium-light spot. In fact, a planting site that's too bright can fade the foliage colors and lessen the ornamental value of the plant. Indoor growers have the best results by placing the polka dot plant 3 or 4 feet away from a window. Indoors, polka dot plants prefer rich, well-drained soil, frequent misting to recreate tropical humidity, monthly fertilizing, and filtered sun or part shade locations that keep its colors vibrant. Keep the plant … A native to South Africa, East Asia, and Madagascar, the Polka Dot Plant can grow to 3 feet tall and wide. If you do choose to use polka dot plants as a bedding plant for the season, you can start it from seed indoors about three months before the last spring frost. The most common polka dot plant on the market features leaves with a pink base color and green spots. Polka dot … Credit: What am I doing wrong? "If it is in much direct sun it tends to wash out and lose its intense color," says Green. The color of the foliage brightens with more sunlight, but direct sun may burn it. Avoid letting the soil dry out, which can cause the foliage to wilt and the plant to struggle. But again it depends on the plant. Remove terminal growth at a node and pull off the leaves closest to the end. They also need regular feeding throughout the growing season (spring to fall). 5. Water polka dot plant enough to keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy). If you live in drier regions of the United States, create a micro-climate for your polkas by placing the pot on a drip tray. Then try our go-to menu. Ideally, it lives on a table in a south-facing room, away from the window, or in an east-facing room. vegetable. Indoors, it likes bright indirect light or a bit of sun in the morning. Growing outdoors, a polka dot plant will reach heights of 3 ft. (90 cm). They’re known for being “dramatic” – wilting completely when they want water and perking back up quickly after they get it. When planted outside, a polka dot plant can grow as tall as 30.” Indoors this plant needs to be kept trimmed back and small or it will get quite leggy. They should sprout in a few days, and the seedlings should be ready for transplanting in a couple weeks. Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya), also known as freckle face plant, is a popular indoor plant (though it can be grown outdoors in warmer climates) grown for its attractive foliage. "They are an annual and will not survive our [Northeast] winters. Use a high-quality, organic potting soil that contains a draining agent, such as pumice or perlite. I have a polka dot plant growing in a medium sized pot in my house. These colorful plants make for a lovely addition to an indoor garden. Polka dot plants are only hardy in USDA growing zones 10 and 11, preferring temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They produce modest, pale purple blooms, which most gardeners remove, and grow naturally into a low, rounded shape—but can begin to spread out and thin if the flowers thrive. All the essential dishes are here, just on a smaller scale. ", The plant's small size means it won't make much of an impact in an outdoor garden but can add a pretty accent to a small-scale planter. These plants like a moderate amount of moisture in the soil at all times. Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing. Get inspired to make your porch your new favorite living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any outdoor space. Related: Five Mistakes You're Making with Your Hydrangeas, Polka dot plants are native to Madagascar and prefer a warm, humid climate, so they're only considered winter hardy in U.S. zones 10 and 11. The polka dot plant is a relatively easy indoor plant to start with if for someone who is new to plants. The care needs for this plant are simple. They should be planted outside in the spring after the threat of frost has passed and brought inside if you plan to overwinter them well before the first frost of the fall. Polka Dot plant, in the Acanthus family, is pretty tolerant of hard pruning provided it is in good health and has after care. I have read that you can propagate the plant by these cuttings, but every time I try, they just wilt and die. If you need to raise humidity, you can mist your plant’s leaves or place its pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water as long as the bottom of the pot isn’t touching the water. It appears as if it’s been spray painted. All Rights Reserved. Very drought-tolerant when established, with bright yellow blooms in summer. Breeders also have developed plants with deeper colors and brighter contrast, so the plants pop even more. It can tolerate bright spots indoors and doesn't mind a little direct sun on its foliage. Gray Lavender Cotton Aromatic gray or green foliage can be trimmed and shaped for small gardens. The Polka Dot plant, Hypoestes phyllostachya, needs bright light but not full sun. This gives you a visual clue to what they need. They also work well in a terrarium planting where they look great with tropical ferns, get along well with other small plants, and are very forgiving.". Let us discuss how to plant, grow, and care Polka Dot Plant in your garden. Hosting fewer guests this holiday season due to the coronavirus pandemic? The way round it is to prune hard, which I do to my buddleia every spring. "It fills space nicely in a mixed container, particularly with other intensely colored foliage plants like coleus. This herbaceous plant is native to Madagascar but it is cultivated worldwide. Artillery Fern (P. microphylla) Artillery ferns are not actually ferns at all but are members of the Pilea … Pinch the tips to keep it down in size. Polka-Dot Plant Available in pink, red, or white, this is a favorite of fairy gardeners. The polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) is an eye-catching little plant with brightly spotted leaves that stand out against most other foliage. An all-purpose organic potting mix will typically suit these plants just fine. Transferring to a larger container encourages growth where the plant can reach 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall. Planting & Growing When grown indoors, Splash Select Pink Polka Dot Plant can be expected to grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. In its native habitat, the plant can grow up to 3 feet tall, but the commercially produced selections are usually smaller and suitable for growing indoors. When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. Plants grown indoors under suboptimal conditions typically have more problems with pests and diseases than those grown outside in the correct environment. But also never let the soil become soggy, which can cause root rot and kill a plant. I have been an avid plant lover for as long as I can remember. You can pinch off these flower spikes to keep the plant’s energy focused on growing its vibrant foliage. "This will also help keep it bushy and full. As an evergreen shrub, it boasts leaves that are spotted with white or pink spots depending on the particular variety. As a colorful indoor houseplant, splash plants can grow quickly and will grow to between 4” and 20” (10 – 50 cm). Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home! Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Getty / revjake, Everything You Need to Know About Hypoestes Phyllostachya, Otherwise Known as the Polka Dot Plant. That’s because pruning helps promote new growth. Seeds germinate in warm, moist soils where temperatures are 70-75 F. (21-27 C.). Within the main species, Hypoestes phyllostachya, there are many varieties; all are bred for their leaf coloration. Start by carving out a designated work area in your space. Outdoors, the polka dot plant enjoys a spot with dappled shade, away from the direct midday sun. And, consistently doing this gives you a bushier, more vibrant plant. Provide high humidity and moderate temperature. Polka Dot Plants also grow quickly, and they’re super easy to propagate in water! In fact, this is where the plant’s name derived, as its leaves are dotted with splotches of color—from white to green, pink, or red. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone and put it in a soilless growing medium such as peat moss. Polka dot plants are easy to propagate. The colorful speckled leaves are attractive when the plant is used as a border, ground cover plant, or to add color in a large planter. From which platforms to use and the best books to read, bibliophiles share their advice. Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. Professional designers love the way polka dot plants (Hypoestes phyllostachya) tolerate a variety of shade conditions and evolve beautifully over the season. Leave a layer of stones or pebbles on the bottom of the tray, and balance the pot on top. Polka dot plant tolerates low light fairly well, too, but we don't recommend growing it in low-light spots for extended periods because it can grow tall and lanky. You might notice foliage that's discolored, has holes, or otherwise appears unhealthy, along with small bugs moving on the plants. Mix in some pumice or perlite if you need to improve the soil drainage. Furthermore, slightly reduce watering in the winter, and resume your normal routine once growth picks up again in the spring. Outdoors, a spot beneath a tree where it receives dappled sunlight works. If the plant's leaves curl, provide it with more shade. These plants do have a tendency to get leggy, so to promote a bushier growth habit, pinch back the top two leaves on each stem on a weekly basis. Grow the polka dot plant in an area that receives indirect sunlight. Our fall-focused indoor and outdoor decorating ideas are guaranteed ways to make the perfect first impression when family and friends come calling on Thanksgiving—or any day during the season. Polka dot plants grow to about 2 or so feet tall. Polka-dot plant, Hypoestes, is a striking plant with liberally spotted lavender-rose and white flowers. "[The] polka dot plant is a cute little plant that is best used as a houseplant or a low growing accent in a part sun container outdoors," says Marshall Green, nursery buyer and manager at Primex Garden Center in Pennsylvania.
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