I am new to this so please forgive me for not understanding how to navigate through that system but I had already asked the other day my very first questions regarding my polkadot went and how unhappy he was looking lately and everyone is telling me just to snip off pieces and stick it in the dirt in the middle where it is and he’s looking and they will grow But I do not know where the snip off and I’m unsure and I do not wanna kill him so is there a video or something that I can watch somebody doing this in detail?
I suppose that I forgot to add that you can cut back to any height that you please.
These are quite hardy. As long as you take decent care of it, it will grow like crazy.
Cutting it makes it branch out and grow bigger,faster. You will be more likely to harm it by overwatering than by pruning.
This article will help you to care for these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/polka-dot-plant/growing-polka-dot-plants.htm
Some of the leaves on my polka dot plant seem to be getting brown tips and turning a yellowish color, and I'm not sure why. It sits in a West-facing window and I don't let it dry out too much between waterings. Any ideas on why this might be happening? Also, as you can see from the bird's-eye image, some of the stems are coming from the middle in weird, vine-like formations. Any ideas about that? Thanks in advance for the help!
They are being overwatered and not receiving the correct DURATION of light. They don't tolerate direct light, but they do like bright light. Window light, even South facing, will not be enough to scorch these plants, and will give you the duration of light that you need. Alternatively, you can try using a small horticultural grade lamp.
As for the fungal infection... It is best to let these dry out very thoroughly down to about 2 inches. Not doing so causes what you are seeing now. Wet Feet=Fungal Infection.
I would treat with a fungicide. this article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/polka-dot-plant/growing-polka-dot-plants.htm
My cat has gone crazy over my polka dot plant, and I have caught her "nipping" at the leaves. It causes her to act like she just had some catnip. I moved the plant to a high shelf, and she has gone crazy looking for it. It makes her very loving and affectionate after she nips at it.
ASPCA calls polka dot plant non-toxic. As with many plants, the amount ingested is a big factor. Almost any unusual food, in sufficient quantity, will cause mild GI distress. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/polka-dot-plant
How often do I water it and how much?
You will want to water when the soil is dry down to about an inch. This will take a different length of time depending on conditions around the plant, so it is best to just feel it to know when it is time to water.
Water until it starts to run out of the drainage holes, and allow all extra water to leave the container and saucer. It should never be allowed to stand in water.
Here is an article that will help you to grow these plants: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/polka-dot-plant/growing-polka-dot-plants.htm
I just bought two polka dot plants. They are kept in a sunny room, the soil was moist when I bought them, and I misted them after taking them home, yet both were almost completely dried out and wilted the next morning. One started wilting the second I misted it. Nearly all of their leaves have fallen off. What am I doing wrong?
Your plants may be in shock from the change in environment. With correct care, they should recover. Bright but indirect light is best. You may have it in full sun. They will wilt quickly if allowed to dry out. Keep the soil moist, mist the leaves, and fertilize once a month. If the leaves turn yellow before dropping it's getting too much water. If they drop without turning yellow they need more water.
You didn't mention if you repotted them when they came home - they may be rootbound.
Here's an article that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/polka-dot-plant/growing-polka-dot-plants.htm
My polka dot and nerve plant are withering and I’m not sure why. They are kept in a room with lots of light and a heater so they don’t get cold and I mist them daily but they’ve looked like this for weeks so I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. They experienced some cold shock when I got them and they haven’t really recovered
I would cut away the damaged or dead leaves. Then read the articles below to see if you are following the proper care for these plants. If the plants were in the cold for a sustained time, they may never recover. Only time will tell.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/nerve-plant/growing-nerve-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/polka-dot-plant/growing-polka-dot-plants.htm
My polka doesn’t plant was doing pretty well until I repotted it, now it’s loosing it’s dots and turning brown on tips. What am I doing wrong?
I notice that the container is way bigger than the plants. It is likely that there is a lot of soil that is not colonized by roots, which can lead to overwatering. This is what appears to be the case, here. With this situation, the soil remains too moist for too long, which suffocates roots and promotes infections.
Be sure to let the soil dry out, very thoroughly, down to about 3 inches between watering.
Treat with a fungicide to get rid of the infection taking hold.
These plants will typically lose their color with excessive light. Indirect light promotes best growth, while very low light promotes the best coloration. Direct light needs to be avoided.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/polka-dot-plant/growing-polka-dot-plants.htm