Houseplants are often grown for stunning foliage colors or shapes. Polka Dot plants are one of those tropical plants that have brilliant color, delicate patterning, and great strong leaf shape. Keeping your Polka Dot plant well-fed with regular doses of fertilizer throughout the active growing period will help the plant retain its color and overall vitality ensuring that it does not become susceptible to pests and diseases.
Why Fertilize Polka Dot Plant
Foliage forward plants like Polka Dot plants benefit from fertilizing to keep their color and overall structure strong. Plants grown exclusively in containers need to have a r feeding schedule in order to replace the nutrients leached out of the soil by regular watering. Although they do flower when grown outdoors, Polka Dot plants flowers are inconspicuous and not affected by the amount of feeding a plant has. The change in daylight hours as summer nears fall is what triggers flowering for Hypoestes.
How Often To Fertilize Polka Dot Plant
Feeding every 2-3 weeks, during the spring and summer months, is typical for most houseplants. Polka Dot plants will slow their growth in the winter and require no extra fertilizing during that period.
How To Tell If a Polka Dot Plant Needs Fertilizer
Polka Dot plants that need to be fertilized will exhibit some very common distress signals in all houseplants. A reduction in color vibrancy, stunted growth, stems and leaves that are weak and possibly leggy. Polka Dot plants do not have a complicated list of micronutrients they need to thrive and will happily tolerate a balanced fertilizer that provides all of the macronutrients of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium equally.
Best Fertilizer For Polka Dot Plant
A diluted liquid formulation is easiest to use for houseplants and can be applied in place of a regular watering session. Choose a brand that has a balanced NPK ratio of 1:1:1, which could look like 1-1-1 for an organic product or 20-20-20 for a synthetic fertilizer. Keep in mind using liquid seaweed or fish emulsion indoors will leave behind a ‘distinctive’ smell. A time-release pellet fertilizer can be added to containers at the time of repotting or transplanting. Typically these feeds wear away in 3-4 months after which a water-soluble fertilizer can be used.
Polka Dot Plant Fertilizing Tips
Regular fertilization for container-grown Polka Dot plants adds nutrients that are lost by regular watering. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer will support foliage and stem growth while being quick-acting.
- Look for a balanced ratio of NPK 1:1:1
- Diluted liquid feeds can be used in place of regular watering
- Feed Polka Dot plants every 2-3 weeks during active growing months.
- Over-fertilizing will not encourage blooming in Polka Dot plants
Warnings
-Always wear protective gloves and a face mask when handling chemical fertilizers.
-Closely follow all directions and storage guidelines that are on the fertilizer label.
Sources:
“Houseplants”, Saratoga County Extension, www.cccsaratoga.org
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Author Robbin Small - Published 12-27-2024 |