Polka Dot Plant Care

This colorful cutie, also known as Freckle Face, can be grown outdoors as a warm season annual or indoors as a houseplant. The care information below is specifically for indoor plants.

Light – It’s important to give Polka Dot Plants plenty of indirect, bright light. In lower light levels, their brilliant colors will begin to fade and they can quickly become leggy.

Water – Polka Dot Plants prefer to stay evenly moist, by not soaking wet. Water once the top ½ inch of soil is dry and do not allow it to sit in water. Overly wet soil will lead to root rot.

Soil – Any kind of well-draining potting soil, like Espoma Potting Soil, will do.

Temperature – Keep your Polka Dot Plant in temperatures between 65° and 75° and do not expose it to temperatures lower than 55°.

Humidity – Polka Dot Plants love humidity. Setting a tray of pebbles and water or a humidifier nearby works well, but so does frequent misting with a spray bottle.

Fertilization – Feed regularly spring through fall with a balanced fertilizer like Bonide Liquid Plant Food. There is no need to fertilize in winter.

Size – Polka dot plants average about 6 inches high and about a 1 foot wide when grown indoors. Outdoors, they can grow much wider.

Deadheading – While they do produce flowers, those flowers are rather boring in comparison to their gorgeous leaves. Pinching back the flowers as soon as you see them encourages bushier and fuller leaves.

Repotting – Polka Dot Plants do not enjoy being root bound so pot them at least once a year. Select a container no more than 1 size larger than their current pot and make sure it has good drainage.

Propagation – They propagate easily via cuttings.

Toxicity – Considered non-toxic to people and pets.