Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia maculata)

Last updated: August 3, 2025

Care Sheet List

The Polka Dot Begonia is a stunning and popular houseplant celebrated for its dramatic foliage: deep green leaves adorned with striking silver or white polka dots on top, and a rich red or burgundy underside. It typically grows with an upright, cane-like stem, earning it the "cane begonia" classification.

Lighting

Polka Dot Begonias prefer bright, indirect light.

• Ideal: A spot near an east-facing window is excellent, or a few feet away from a south or west-facing window where it receives plenty of bright light without direct sun.
• Benefits: Good light will ensure vibrant leaf coloration and encourage robust growth.
• Avoid: Direct sunlight can scorch their delicate leaves. Too little light can lead to leggy growth, smaller leaves, and less prominent polka dots.

Watering Routine

Polka Dot Begonias like consistently moist soil but absolutely hate soggy conditions, which can quickly lead to root rot.

• Frequency: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Do not let the soil dry out completely, especially during the active growing season.
• Method: Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Discard any excess water from the saucer immediately.
• Seasonality: Reduce watering frequency in fall and winter when the plant's growth slows down.

Fertilizer Requirements

During its active growing season, typically from spring through early fall, your Polka Dot Begonia will benefit from regular feeding.

• Type: Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer or one slightly higher in phosphorus to encourage blooming (though they are primarily grown for foliage).
• Commercial Recommendation: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food (Liquid) or Schultz Liquid Plant Food are easily available options. Dilute these commercial concentrates to achieve approximately 50-100 ppm N in your final solution. This is often equivalent to using them at "half strength" or "full strength" of the package's recommended dose.
• DIY Fertilizer Suggestion: For optimal results, use your homemade 3-1-2 liquid fertilizer concentrate (High Nitrogen) for lush foliage, or the 1-2-1 liquid fertilizer concentrate (High Phosphorus) to encourage blooming.
  • For 3-1-2 concentrate (30,000 ppm N): Apply at a "Light to Moderate Feeding" rate, using 1.67 ml to 3.33 ml per 1 liter of water (resulting in ~50-100 ppm N). See recipe details.
  • For 1-2-1 concentrate (10,000 ppm N): Apply at a "Moderate Feeding" rate, using 10 ml per 1 liter of water (resulting in ~100 ppm N). See recipe details.
• Avoid: Do not fertilize in late fall and winter when the plant is dormant or growing slowly.

Misting Requirements

Polka Dot Begonias are tropical plants and love high humidity. This is a key factor for their health and preventing crispy leaf edges.

• Recommended: Aim for humidity levels of 50% or higher.
• Methods:
• Misting: Mist the foliage regularly, daily or every other day, with room-temperature water.
• Pebble Tray: Place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water (making sure the pot is not sitting directly in the water).
• Humidifier: Using a room humidifier nearby is also very effective.
• Grouping: Grouping with other plants can help create a microclimate with higher humidity.

Pot Size and Soil Type

• Pot Size: When repotting (best done in spring), choose a pot that is 1-2 inches larger in diameter than its current one. Polka Dot Begonias don't mind being somewhat root-bound, and this can help prevent overwatering. Ensure the pot has excellent drainage holes.
• Soil Type: Use a well-draining, airy potting mix that retains some moisture. A standard houseplant potting mix can be amended to be ideal.
• A good recipe would be:
• 2 parts all-purpose potting mix
• 1 part perlite
• 1 part orchid bark or coarse coco coir
• This mix provides the necessary drainage and aeration while still holding enough moisture for their needs.

Pruning and Maintenance

• Pruning: To encourage a bushier, more compact plant and to control its height, prune back leggy stems. You can cut stems just above a node or side shoot. Regular pinching of new growth can also promote branching.
• Propagation: Polka Dot Begonias are relatively easy to propagate from stem cuttings. Take a cutting with a few nodes and place it in water or moist potting mix.
• Leaf Drop: Some leaf drop, especially older lower leaves, is normal. Excessive leaf drop can indicate issues with watering (too much or too little), humidity, or temperature fluctuations.