The spotted begonia comes in a range of sizes, depending on the variety but is a fairly fast grower. How to Deadhead Petunias? Gently remove the plant from the pot, taking care not to snap the stems. Hence, it is one of the most beautiful and unique indoor plants, which can be placed anywhere around your house to enhance the indoor environment. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASCPA) says that animals that eat parts of begonias can suffer from vomiting and excessive drooling. Think all the fun of an eye-catching indoor flowering plant, but without the big blooms. Choose semi-porous pot like glazed clay. Ingestion can cause irritation and vomiting. I don't like my soil to be too dry or too soggy. 2023 Plantly, LLC. Repotting helps to refresh the soil, give the roots more room to breathe, and improve drainage. I love the sunshine but too much direct light will damage my leaves. both toxic substances. Also known as the polka dot begonia, the spotted begonia, and the angel wing begonia, . Polka Dot Begonia dont like the air to be really dry. Do not directly mist the leaves. The larger varieties of polka dot begonia can reach up to 5 feet tall with the right care. Fertilizing. There is white mildew on my Polka Dot Begonia. Flower Color: The plant is glazed with Silvery-white dots with a reddish . We will also give you some of these beauties. Make sure your Polka Dot plant is away from direct sunlight as this can very easily scorch and burn the leaves. Check the moisture in the soil and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. BubbleBlooms Why do my Begonia Polka dot have pale leaves? Poke your finger in the soil. Keep reading for lots more great care tips as well as information on polka dot begonia pests and common care issues. One of the primary effects of plant ingestion is stomach aches. High humidity and mild temperatures are required for this tropical plant. Although begonias are famous for their spectacular foliage, the begonia maculata Wightii is at the top of the list of beautiful indoor plants. The majority of the Begonias are terrestrial, whereas small portions of them are epiphytes. However, compared to other houseplants, its toxic tendencies are quite mild. Depending on your view it could be easy to confuse the Philodendron Moonlight and Golden Goddess, as both have bright green, almost yellow foliage. Cacti and Exotica Bleu Lotus Gardens Do not give anything to your pet, and do not try to induce the vomiting until your vet recommends it. However, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness if ingested. How To Care For A Polka Dot Begonia - Nick's Garden Center Heres how you will do it: The Begonia maculata thrives in USDA zones 10 and 11 as an outdoor plant. The polka dot begonia is a magnificent evergreen tropical plant with bit yellow leaves that can only be found in Brazil's humid and muggy rainforests. These plants gain from a small amount of support as they get taller. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. While you can do this with some toxic plants, depending on which parts of the plants are harmful and how the poison behaves, you may need to take care. The leaves on a Polka Dot Begonia can begin to curl for a variety of reasons, most commonly temperature extremes. Unfortunately, most of our houses are too dry, which is why you may notice brown or black leaf tips on houseplants. But make sure you don't overwater the plant or else it'll suffer from root rot. Ideal conditions fall between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Late autumn is the optimum time to prune and maintain height if your plant grows too tall. Common houseplant pests that can affect begonia maculata plants are mealybugs and whiteflies. How to Care for and Propagate Begonia Maculata Avoid contact with children and pets, and do not feed this plant to them. When it's in a warm, sunny area with average or higher humidity, it is fairly forgiving. These symptoms may occur if they consume any component of the polka dot plant. These simple points should give you all you need to keep your plant happy and healthy for years to come. This plant variety has also been introduced to other countries in the region, including Mexico, Argentina, and Cuba. Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia maculata) Dmitry Kuznetsov/Getty Images. Although it won't cause serious long-term damage, ingestion can cause stomach irritation. I've been around the block writing blogs for Men's Magazine, Real Estate, Architectural and other major uprising niches. Begonia Maculata, also known as Polka Dot begonia, is a popular growing houseplant due to its beautiful appearance and splashy spot. It may be receiving too much light and has to be relocated. Are Polka Dot Plants Toxic to Cats? Keeping Your Cat Safe During the growing season, from spring to fall, this plant needs constant feeding. Water your begonia plants whenever the top part of the soil is dry, and the lower part is still moist. The Polka Dot Begonia prefers a well-aerated soil or growing medium that drains well and retains moisture without becoming too wet. The plant is part of the Acanthaceae family. If you want your plant to continue growing, repot every year or so or when you notice the roots are coming out of the pot. Unless you receive enough rain, youll have to water on a regular basis. Why is My Hydrangea Wilting? Water thoroughly and only fertilize after four weeks. The idea is to monitor their soil and water deeply as soon as the top has sufficiently dried. The plant has a faint crimson accent throughout. Bird Cage Botanicals The Begonia Maculata is a flowering plant, which means it requires fertilizer every once in a while to have enough energy to be able to keep growing. No worries! You want to ensure that there is no moisture on your plants leaves (especially overnight) as this is what is causing a build up of mildew. For the sake of your darling cats safety, memorize all of the names. Polka Dot Begonias - Etsy Rose Green Leaf. $19.99Status:In stock (can be backordered) Search for a comfortable place and enjoy reading!! Are African Violets Toxic to Pet Cats, Dogs, Or Other Animals? Some plants are toxic, whereas some are not. As Polka Dot Plant is a non-toxic plant, you must follow basic gardening techniques, place your plants according to your preferences, keep your babies and pets in mind (if you have any), and you and your family will be fine. Polka Dot Begonia: Plant Care (Begonia Maculata) However, the dryness of the soil determines when to water a begonia. Begonia . Caring for polka dot begonia. If your only option is to mist, make sure you have a fine spray and dont mist the leaves directly. . Is Polka Dot Plant Toxic To Cats? How To Keep Cats Away From Polka Dot With their unique angel-shaped dotted leaves, Polka Dot Begonia is a fairly easy plant to care for once you know what to do! If it receives very little light, it will become leggy. One of the most critical aspects of begonia maculata care is getting the humidity right. Transferring to a larger container encourages growth where the plant can reach 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall. Too little lightand you will notice that the leaves lose their vibrancy. Remove any leaves and gently set them in a pot with fresh, well-draining soil. No, polka dot plant is not poisonous to cats. In some cases, skin irritation, rashes, and allergies might occur. This can assist if the air in your home or office is dry. A cat will feel sick in the mouth and vomit if they eat any of a Polka Dot Begonia. The plant will already receive some light fertilization from you; this will only increase fertility. Cut a stem so that there are at least two nodes on it. So, theres no need to worry. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Not only that, it might cause diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, and dizziness. This plant is available in different colors, adding beauty to your house, and making it peaceful and soothing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); [quform id=2 name=Feature Request Feedback], [quform id=3 name=Need Attribute Feedback], [quform id=4 name=Others/Suggestions Feedback], [quform id=5 name=Plantly Plant Finder]. Gar-Zen Botanical Design Little and often is what I'm after. Grow Begonia maculata in a location that is consistently warm and bright; ideally, it should be a few feet from east or west-facing window. $13.49Status:In stock 3 Easy Ways. Remove the infected material and treat it with a fungicidehowever, treatments arent always effective, so prevention is the best option. Want to know more about this Polka dot begonia? Always feed your cat or dog to keep them healthy. For best results, feed every two to four weeks . Often the leaves will turn quite dark brown in colour, become quite soft and droopy and can even fall off your plant. Polka Dot Begonia Plant Profile. Full Guide, How Often to Water Aloe Plants? Kazumi Nursery Only repot a Begonia when roots have grown onto the outer edge of the current pot it's growing within. The simple answer to this question is a NO. Although it is not considered poisonous, moderate symptoms should be expected. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/polka-dot-plant, https://www.thespruce.com/grow-hypoestes-phyllostachya-indoors-1902650, https://thecontentedplant.com/non-toxic-plants-for-cats-dogs-and-kids/, Do Black Cats Shed? Insecticidal soap sprays and oils can be used to aid. No, polka dot plants cannot be considered cat-friendly as although polka dot is not toxic to them, they can definitely harm them. Begonia maculata: care, propagation & varieties - Plantura So, it is better not to do any experiments at that moment. Polka Dot Begonia plants love the sunshine but be careful not to expose them to direct sunlight as this can really damage the leaves and permanently scorch them. Hold the begonia plant in the new pot and fill with new, moist, fresh potting mix. Your guide to Polka Dot Begonia propagation - Indoor Plant Care Begonia maculata, sometimes known as the Polka dot Begonia, is a kind of Begonia. Begonias have grown in popularity as a result of their eye-catching foliage and equally stunning flowers. How to care for begonia maculata: Polka dot begonia (Wightii) needs well-draining soil, and the pot should be in bright, indirect light. This will increase the size of your Begonias leaves and boost flowering. . Use a digital thermometer to check that your plant isnt in a really cold or hot spot. Additionally, stay away from growing near radiators or drafts. Sold By: The oxalic acid in the juicy tissues can cause eye burns, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and even death if they are eaten in large quantities. Nonstop Rose Begonia. The main aspects of its care that should take precedence are proper . When its in a warm, sunny area with average or higher humidity, it is fairly forgiving. Here are some other plants that will work in similar conditions, or have some matching qualities. Your email address will not be published. How To Keep Cats Away From Polka Dot Plant? However, some polka dot plants have white or red dots rather than pink, however, they are far less frequent. Cacti and Exotica Step 2: Gently loosen the soil and dig a shallow hole around 1 deep. link to Philodendron Moonlight vs. Golden Goddess. Try increasing the frequency of watering a little but keep an eye on the soil moisture to avoid any root rot occurring. Moisture should be present in the soil, the same way mature Polka Dot Begonias do. If it happens, your pet might scratch or lick the itchy areas as the skin becomes dry. Mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, scale, thrips, blackflies, and vine weevils can be found in the cubbyholes and undersides of the leaves, except for the latter, which can be found in the soil. If you notice quite a few leaves dropping from your Polka Dot Begonia this indicates too much water or temperature shock. Water: Begonias LOVE water. Begonia maculata is toxic to human beings and pets if ingested. CZ Grain Under the right conditions, the spotted dark green leaves will contrast with clusters of delicate white flowers when the plant blooms. So always make sure youre giving them enough so they dont ask for more, but cats and dogs arent constantly hungry, so keep a watch on your cats behaviour and actions to see if she attempts to eat the begonias were keeping at a safe distance. How to Care for the Bird of Paradise? Toxins are observed in the terrestrial species of Begonias . Sold By: The leaves wont dry out as much if the humidity is above 45%. The plant can also have extremely few purplish-toned flower spikes in some situations. A general houseplant fertiliser should work just fine but our plants really love this liquid fertiliser from Miracle Gro. Unlocking The Mystery, Why Is My Black Cat Turning Brown? There are around 1000 species, all of which come in various colors, sizes, and shapes! However, in the case of Polka Dot Begonia, it is non-poisonous to humans and pets. The genus is "Begonia", and the specific epithet is "maculata" (meaning spotted).The species is the combination of the genus and the specific epithet; therefore, the species is Begonia maculata, and the common name is Polka Dot Plant (one of the many names given to this plant). Cats often dont eat this type of plant if they dont have to and dont worry, polka dots wont kill your cat; theyll only show signs of an issue; if this happens, call the pet centre; nevertheless, training your cat not to eat any plant is also crucial. Polka Dot Begonia Care Guide | Fiddle & Thorn This is a classification that indicates . Bedrooms, toilets, kitchens, and cubicles, to name a few There isnt a room in the house that a houseplant cant liven up. As the water evaporates naturally, it will provide moisture for the leaves. The most reliable way to check the moisture levels in the soil is by using a moisture meter. Toxicity: toxic to humans and pets; Growth Pattern and Habits. So, dont water them while the soil is damp. Begonia maculata has spotted foliage, hence it is also called polka dot begonia. Choose a pot that is one size larger than the existing one when repotting it. Bird Cage Botanicals The Polka Dot Begonia encounters the same typical problems as the majority of indoor plants. So, you can grow it indoors without any doubt, which is also a great alternative to some toxic plants that might affect your family or pets. You can tell if they are receiving enough or less if the Maculatas leaves begin to grow brown leaf tips. How to Care Polka Dot Begonia and Growing Tips to Know - HomeDesignNow Is Hypoestes Phyllostachya Poisonous to Cats? | Pets - The Nest A begonia is typically thought to be safe for pets to consume. The five basic care requirements are: Lets look in more detail at how to care for a begonia maculata Wightii. Yes, begonia plants are toxic if ingested by pets. Still, if ingested, it causes severe burning and irritation in the mouth of your furry friends. Loved for their unique dotted leaves, the Polka Dot Begonia is a great Why does my Begonia Maculata (Polka Dot Begonia) have brown leaves? One of the reasons why the Begonia maculata plant is so popular and its easy to propagate via cuttings. Southern exposure is ideal in the winter, while windows facing east or west are fine all year long as long as you keep them out of direct sunlight. Use an apple cider vinegar spray on the leaves, Experts suggest if you dont want to leave fragments of fruit in your plants. But I tell you its not! If consumed, polka dot begonia can cause gastrointestinal problems, and your cat may vomit to get rid of it.