Hypoestes phyllostachya , the polka dot plant life , is often used in terrariums , but it can also be used in many other way . It is also an splendid feature in both indoor and outdoor plantings . The center - catching spotty leafage add color and whimsy to the shady area of the landscape painting . The most democratic variety is the pink polka dot plant with dark-skinned green leaves and pink spots . Other case are fun because they come in rare variations of ashen , red , or rose - pinkish color with spots or wavy convention .
Hypoestes phyllostachya is native to South Africa , Madagascar and southeast Asia . The polka dit plant is hardy to USDA zones 10 - 11 making it the perfect yearly or houseplant . A delicate tropical plant , the polka dot plant likes it when it ’s warm , there ’s a lot of humidity , and it ’s out of direct sunlight . The small mounding shape is wanton to give care for in a terrarium and mold well in potentiometer , hanging baskets , hit the hay plants , or as a border or path boundary . Here ’s how to grow and use polka dot flora in your abode or landscape .
Polka dot plant , with their brightly coloured leaf covered in spots , are heart - catching industrial plant that can liven up any indoor space . Their tiny size and enjoyability of fond , humid conditions also make them well - suited for shut terrariums . But are polka pane plant unfeignedly good terrarium plants ?
There are some clear pros and confidence game to consider when using polka dot plants in terrariums . Below I ’ll share my own experience and tips on give care for these funky plants in enclosed glass surroundings
The polka dot plant function by the Latin name Hypoestes phyllostachya and is native to Madagascar , They are also unremarkably known as freckle plants
These herbaceous evergreen perennials are part of the Acanthaceae family , which includes popular houseplants like brass plants and croton .
The most striking feature of polka dit plants is their brightly colored and spotted leaf . The foliation comes in a range of dazzling colors like clean , pink , red , purplish , and green .
raw leave come forth in the plant ’s straight color , while mature leave of absence spring up contrasting smear – no two leaves end up looking quite the same !
In the correct conditions , polka dot plants may also produce modest lavender or white blossom . However , it ’s really all about the fabulous foliage .
The Benefits of Polka Dot Plants for Terrariums
Here are some of the key benefits that make polka superman plants a great pick for enclose terrarium environments :
thick size of it : Polka dot plant typically produce to around 10 - 20 inches in height . This establish them a perfect scene for modest terrarium , unlike bombastic houseplant .
bask high humidness : With their tropical blood line , polka battery-acid plants thrive in the stable warm and humid conditions cater by terrariums .
Add spectacular coloring : The uniquely patterned and vividly discolour leaves of these plants create ocular interest against greens .
Easy to propagate : you’re able to easily propagate polka dit works from cuttings to fill out your terrarium .
Withstand down light : While they appreciate lustrous lighter , polka Lucy in the sky with diamonds flora can stomach low indoor light levels better than many plants .
Fast growing : Polka dot plants grow relatively quickly compared to other terrarium plant , filling in space .
Hardy plants : These plants are quite forgiving if you leave to H2O occasionally and resile back easily .
Potential Drawbacks of Polka Dot Plants for Terrariums
On the other hand , there are some potential disadvantages of using polka back breaker industrial plant in your inclose terrarium :
Short lifespan : Polka dot plants tend to only live for 1 - 2 eld , especially after efflorescence . You ’ll have to replace them .
prostrate to pests : Spider mites may be attracted to these plant and can spread promptly in a terrarium .
Can get leggy : Without enough light , polka Department of Transportation plant get gangly in search of Lord’s Day .
Heavy eating : These fast - growing plants need frequent fertilizing to maintain their promising foliage .
Can be dramatic : If allowed to dry out out , the foliation will wilt and drop rapidly . They demand constant moisture .
Susceptible to overwatering : Too much wet can cause tooth root rot . You need to balance watering and drain .
Tips for Growing Polka Dot Plants in Terrariums
From my experience cultivating them , here are some top forethought hint to keep your polka Lucy in the sky with diamonds plants fly high within an enclosed terrarium :
Select small , compact plants or take cuttings to propagate from larger specimen . This avoids legginess .
locate the terrarium near an east or west - facing windowpane if possible . A north windowpane can figure out too . shiny , collateral light is essential .
Use a fast - draining dirt mix amended with perlite or orchid bark to prevent overwatering . Creating a false bottom further better drainage .
weewee whenever the top 1 - 2 inches of grime become dry . Misting between lachrymation maintains moisture . Do n’t allow plants to droop .
go for diluted limpid fertilizer every 2 - 4 week during spring and summertime to fuel ontogeny . Slow down in winter .
Prune back overgrown plant in early spring to rejuvenate . Take the slip to propagate successor !
supervise close for pestis like wanderer mites . take away any unnatural parts immediately . Keep humidity richly .
spread the terrarium palpebra occasionally to allow gas commutation and replenish fresh air . Prevent fungous issues .
Repot every 1 - 2 years into brisk substrate as the plants deplete soil nutrient quickly . Divide congested plant .
Ideal Polka Dot Plant Terrarium Conditions
To sum , here are the idealistic environmental conditions to revivify for your polka acid plant inside a terrarium :
brightness level : Bright , indirect illumination . 1,500 - 2,500 foot candle . East or West - facing window .
Temperature : Average room temperature . 65 - 80 ° F .
Humidity : Very gamy humidness . At least 60 % but above 80 % humidity nonpareil .
Soil : Light , well - draining potting mix . incorporated perlite or orchid barque .
Water : Keep soil consistently moist but not muddy . permit to dry out more or less between waterings .
plant food : enforce diluted liquid fertilizer every 2 - 4 workweek during the growing season .
Recreating this tender , humid , brightly lit environment will result in vibrant and actively growing polka dot plants inside your terrarium .
Companion Plants for Polka Dot Plant Terrariums
When designing the overall planting scheme for a terrarium featuring polka dot plants , debate the stick with companion :
Peperomia – Try Peperomia prostrata or Peperomia caperata . Small leaves complement polka Lucy in the sky with diamonds .
Pilea – The babe tears plant ( Pilea depressa ) works nicely as a trailing foreground plant .
Nerve plant – Contrasting veined leaf of Fittonia look neat against stippled leafage .
Ferns – Small tropic ferns like rabbit ’s foot prosper in terrarium too . Add texture .
Croton – For more color , merge polka dot plant life with Petra croton ( Codiaeum variegatum ) .
Air plants – Mounted Tillandsia allow for height and work well with gamy humidity .
Mosses – Use mode moss as a lush carpeting covering the grime . Adds interest .
A intermixture of small - leaved plants with leaf sake creates an attractive cohesive planting with plenty of visual appeal .
Displaying Polka Dot Plant Terrariums
When it comes to exhibiting your completed polka dot plant terrarium , you have several options :
Place your terrarium on a desk , table , or ledge where it will get enough natural light . Near a window is ideal .
Mount the terrarium on the paries at eye level to make a living graphics piece . Just ensure the location provide sufficient luminance .
Use terrariums as alone centerpieces for coffee tables , side table , or as kitchen decor .
Give crafted terrarium as gifts ! These humiliated - maintenance greens with pops of color make corking housewarming presents .
Arrange a collection of matching or complementary terrariums together to make a statement .
Take reward of the small sizing of terrariums and get creative with ways to tastefully show off your background gardens – with polka Elvis plant life as the star .
Troubleshooting Polka Dot Plants in Terrariums
Sometimes issue can crop up when like for polka dot works in the confines of a terrarium . Here are some common job and fixes :
Leggy / lanky growth : Increase light levels if possible , prune back industrial plant to advertize bushier regrowth .
release of leafage color : Fertilize more regularly and check fair to middling light to conserve vivid foliation .
Wilting / drooping : find out soil moisture and water if dry . addition humidity level .
brown foliage tips : Less watering frequency require . Improve stain drain to prevent overwatering .
Leaf drop : Reduce lacrimation till drying out between . predominate out pests or to a fault wet soil .
mould / fungus : Allow for more airflow , do n’t overpack plant . Remove any affected parts straightaway .
pestis : Isolate plant life and soundly treat for pests . moisten off plant life and keep humidness high .
By reacting apace and adjusting aid where needed , you may get a clamber polka dot plant back on track !
Final Thoughts
Polka dot works can make a fun and eye - catching addition to closed terrarium when provided with the right charge .
Their want for humid conditions , pocket-sized sizing , coloured farewell , and degraded growth make them well - suited for exhibit in enclosed glass containers .
POLKA DOT PLANT CARE & PLANTING
establish the polka Zen plant : Put it alfresco in a spot with some shade or mottled sunlight when the temperature is at least 50 degrees F every night . Too much shade can make plants grow leggy or lose their color , while too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves .
Soil : Polka Department of Transportation plant prefer copious well - drain filth with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. badly draining soil can moderate to rootage rot . For containers , practice a high calibre all - purpose potting soil or potting mix .
tearing : Keep ground evenly moist but not soggy . The polka Zen flora does not wish the grunge to dry out . Overwatering can lead to root rot or fungal diseases . piddle more frequently during protract heat energy or dry spells .
Fertilizing : For outdoor plant , use an all - purpose water - soluble fertilizer consort to instructions . Indoor plants can be fecundate every two weeks with a water - soluble houseplant fertilizer mix at half strength . Greatly reduce fertilizing houseplants during winter months .
Are polka dot plants good houseplants?
Polka acid plant is extremely adaptable as a houseplant . Bring plant indoors before temperatures drop below 50 degrees F. Provide a warm office ( 65 to 75 degrees F is idealistic ) with brilliant indirect light . Mist the leaves or put the tummy on pebble trays filled with water to set up the humidity around the indoor polka dit plant .
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Simple polka dot plant terrarium. These plants thrive in this environment due to the high humidity
Are polka point full for terrariums ?
Polka Dot plants flourish in dampish and warm environments , making them ideal for terrariums . As there are numerous cultivars , a solicitation of varied - looking Polka Dots potted together in a beautiful plant terrarium make for a superb piece . Also , you’re able to mix these alien varieties with other moisture - love plants in terrarium .
Do polka dot industrial plant need a lot of water ?
The polka Transportation plant is a very piddle - qualified industrial plant . If grown inside a shut terrarium , it involve a lot of humidity , a minimum of 50 % , ideally 70 - 90 % . If grown in an assailable terrarium , it needs constant watering . It will shrivel up away very apace if it get dry . Nothing a few sprays of body of water wo n’t bushel . Polka dot plant do excellent at room temperature .
How do you put polka dose in a terrarium ?
Polka Dots , as previously say , adore wet mental object ! compound plant with standard temperature , light , and water demands . It helps to have a brace of long forceps or a set of kitchen chopstick on paw to help place the plants . Before placing plant in the Terrarium , tack them on the side table to find the perfect portmanteau and layout .
Can a polka Lucy in the sky with diamonds plant be used as a houseplant ?
Polka dot works is highly adaptable as a houseplant . Bring plant indoors before temperatures drop below 50 degrees F. Provide a warm slur ( 65 to 75 degrees F is ideal ) with lustrous indirect light . hike humidity for indoor polka dot plant by misting the leaves or grade pot on pebble tray filled with water . Interested in houseplants ?
