If you want a pet-safe houseplant to add color to your indoor space, consider the polka dot plant. As the name suggests, the polka dot plant has delicately speckled leaves in high-contrast combinations of colors. You can find them in pink, red and white, and their compact growth habit makes them easy to plant several colors together in the same pot. So how do you take care of a polka dot plant? Here are the basics you'll need to know:
Polka dot plants can be fussy about lighting, but once you find the perfect spot they will thrive. Place your polka dot plant somewhere with bright, indirect light but not direct sun. A few feet away from a south or east-facing window is usually perfect for keeping the plant happy. While it can survive in low light conditions, the intense color will quickly fade from the leaves and the stems will become stretched out. Keep your polka dot plant vibrant and colorful by finding the perfect light.
Polka dot plants need regular watering to keep the soil moist. This plant is a great choice for plant owners who tend to overwater their plants, as the polka dot will want a drink as soon as the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch.
Proper temperature and moisture levels are crucial to a healthy polka dot plant. This plant likes to stay warmer than some other popular houseplants, preferring their environment not to drop below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Boosting the humidity will help them thrive, either with a humidifier, pebble tray or regular misting. Polka dot plants make excellent residents for terrariums and miniature greenhouses where they can live at moderated temperature and humidity levels.
Polka dot plants require regular pruning to stay bushy. Experts recommend pinching off the top two leaves from every stem every few weeks to promote denser growth. With the right conditions, this plant is a quick-grower, so you don't need to worry about pruning too often.
Ted draws energy and joy from building synergetic relationships with his Clients. Ted's nature is graciously gregarious and persevering; he's honest; and he's been dedicated to a substantial list of clientele throughout his 25 years in the hospitality business and almost two years as a REALTOR. His passion is creating a sincere, successful relationship with people.
Ted grew up in a family of Realtors in central Indiana, earned a degree in economics and philosophy from the University of Notre Dame, and jumped into all aspects of the restaurant business. His ensuing hospitality career path eventually led him into the Event Management Sales & Service role in hotels and quickly guided him to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and finally to a luxury resort in the Napa Valley, where he, his husband, and their dog have resided for almost a decade now.
The irony is not lost on Ted that his ‘growth’ journey has culminated in“living happily ever after” in an agricultural area with a small-town feel and sense of community strikingly reminiscent of his youth…and as a REALTOR nonetheless!