Any temperature below 59F (15C) can kill off your stunning polka dot begonia. You can also group your Polka Dot Begonia with other indoor houseplants. Keep temperatures even with minimal fluctuation to keep houseplants happy. They are super affordable and available on Amazon here. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their pets; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. That is because if they ingest the plant, it might upset their stomach. Because of its bamboo-like stems and long, wing-like leaves, the Polka Dot Begonia, a cane begonia, is also known as an Angel Wing begonia. Polka dot begonias are vigorous growers, and can soon outgrow their pot. Ideal conditions fall between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Begonia maculata might cause stomach problems if consumed, or a pet may vomit to get rid of them. Check out our polka dot begonias selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. No, polka dot plants cannot be considered cat-friendly as although polka dot is not toxic to them, they can definitely harm them. However, any plant may cause unexpected reactions in . Is It Safe To Have Begonias If You Have A Cat? - Necps Pour enough water through the soil until it drains out the drainage holes in the bottom of your pot. Polka dot begonias require a temperature range of 65F to 85F. Growing Begonia Maculata: Easy Guide on How to Plant and Care How To Care For A Polka Dot Begonia - Nick's Garden Center However, among these, over 1,000 species are reported to be found poisonous among cats and dogs. Polka Dot Begonias have similar-looking polka dot patterns on their leaves, but they are extremely poisonous to cats. Polka Dot Begonia belongs to the Begoniaceae family, similar to Beefsteak Begonia. Another approach is to use a store-bought bitter spray. Begonia maculata is also called the polka dot begonia due to its silver-spotted leaves. The ingestion of the leaves, sap, and especially the roots causes burning in your pet's mouth, swollen tongue, or difficulty swallowing. Still, if consumed, even non-poisonous plants can make anyone sick. Yes, the Polka Dot Begonia is poisonous to cats, and it may also be harmful to dogs and other small mammals. Additionally, stay away from growing near radiators or drafts. These plants dont do so well with both hot and cold air so we recommend buying a digital thermometer to keep track of any fluctuations that might be causing the leaves on your Polka Dot Begonia to curl. Unfortunately, most of our houses are too dry, which is why you may notice brown or black leaf tips on houseplants. Free Shipping Also known as the polka dot begonia, the spotted begonia, and the angel wing begonia, . Plants with polka dots are not poisonous to humans. Polka Dot Begonia: Growing and Care Comprehensive Guide | Family Food How to Care for and Propagate Begonia Maculata Maculatas enjoy being somewhat root-bound in small pots, but their tightly packed roots wear out the soil. 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. Its preferable to plant them in the spring. Polka Dot Begonia Care: Things You Should Know! Hence, it is a beautiful plant to grow indoors, making your place calm and soothing. Are Fiddle Leaf Figs Toxic to Pet Cats, Dogs, or Other Animals? As the water evaporates naturally, it will provide moisture for the leaves. One of the most critical aspects of begonia maculata care is getting the humidity right. If your plants appear to have been chewed, keep a watch on your catto make sure they dont become unwell. How Often Do You Water a Cactus? Sold By: During this season, most houseplants take a break and dont grow much. Keep your pet away at a safe place until your veterinarian arrives at your location. If your Polka Dot plant is not growing healthy and is in the phase of dying, check out this link Polka Dot Plant Dying: Reasons and Solutions. Polka Dot Begonia Plant Care | Plantly Bleu Lotus Gardens However, sometimes houseplant pests and diseases can afflict your polka dot begonia. There is no safe level for polka dot begonia, and it is poisonous to cats, dogs, and humans. You have to be careful about your plant placement if you have babies and pets. How to care for a Begonia Maculata (Polka dot plant) Its simple to grow a new Begonia Maculata. Also, check that your plant is getting plenty of bright light without being in direct sunlight. This will increase the size of your Begonias leaves and boost flowering. Common houseplant pests that can affect begonia maculata plants are mealybugs and whiteflies. Why are the leaves on my Polka Dot Begonia curling? 45 Amazing Begonia Types (With Pictures + Care Guide) - Today's Gardener Bonsai Tree Dragon Willow Thick Trunk Bonsai Cutting Fast Growing Indoor/Outdoor Bonsai Tree Ships Bare Root Old Mature Look Fast, Aloe Aristata, Lace Aloe, Rare Haworthia, 2 inch, torch plant, Mature Bonsai Money Tree | A unique, braided, good luck plant. On crimson stems, the plant has stunning silver-green leaves with mid-green edges. Although begonias are famous for their spectacular foliage, the begonia maculata Wightii is at the top of the list of beautiful indoor plants. Its unnecessary to fertilize in the fall and winter. Shake off excess soil and loosen the rootsuntangle if necessary. Image Source. $19.99Status:In stock (can be backordered) Angel wing begonias like bright light to thrive, but they need to be protected from direct sunlight. Is Begonia Maculata toxic? To keep it sterile and fresh, store it in an airtight container. Humidity: High humidity is key to a polka dot begonia that thrives. NoBegonia Maculata, or the polka dot begonia, is toxic and therefore not pet safe. If the soil is partly moist and youve been watering correctly, other reasons could be inadequate or excessive lighting, nutrient deficiency, or pest infestation. Freckle Face, Babys Tears, Measles Plant, and Flamingo Plant are some of the other frequent names for the ornamental plant. Your email address will not be published. It starts with discomfort in the mouth, and even a small piece of begonia can be hazardous to your cats health. Also make sure your plant isnt sitting in a drafty area. However, some polka dot plants have white or red dots rather than pink, however, they are far less frequent. Please make sure the air isn't too dry, otherwise I won't be a happy plant. Each of its leaves is unique in shape and size. To create a fluffy, springy mixture, start with a light commercial potting soil and gradually add small amounts of perlite and wood chips. In order to properly water this begonia, you must have the right type of soil, which we will discuss in more detail shortly. How to Grow and Care for Begonia Maculata This angel winged cane begonia is also called a Wightii, Clown, Spotted, or Polka Dot begonia. Nonstop Rose Begonia. If your only option is to mist, make sure you have a fine spray and dont mist the leaves directly. Think all the fun of an eye-catching indoor flowering plant, but without the big blooms. Begonia maculata var. How to care for begonia maculata: Polka dot begonia (Wightii) needs well-draining soil, and the pot should be in bright, indirect light. Although these plants are not very difficult to grow, many gardeners treat them as annuals and replace them with fresh plants each year because they are native to warm climes. They thrive in simple commercial mixes, but to provide them with the best conditions, its a good idea to incorporate the following amendments: Perlite Natural volcanic glass is what these tiny, fluffy, nearly Styrofoam-textured white balls look like. No parts of the polka dot plant are poisonous, even mildly so. You can also add perlite to the potting mix to aid drainage and aeration. All rights reserved. Polka Dot Plant | ASPCA Also, avoid getting the leaves wet when watering. Caring for polka dot begonia. Although it is not considered poisonous, moderate symptoms should be expected. These Plants should be on your Houseplant Wish List. Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia maculata) Dmitry Kuznetsov/Getty Images. At this time, the growing season has finished, and your plant will rest over the winter. The Tall Growth Habit of Polka Dot Begonia. Aaditya considers his plants and garden to be one of the most important aspects to him. Sold By: Water: Begonias LOVE water. Measures to Protect Yourself While Handling Polka Dot Plant, Polka Dot Plant Dying: Reasons and Solutions, Why is my Fern Turning Brown? Root rot, anthracnose, Cercospora, leaf-spot disease, botrytis (grey mold), rust, powdery mildew, and southern blight are linked with Begonia. $25.00Status:In stock Similar-looking polka dot patterns can be found on the leaves of Polka Dot Begonias, but cats should avoid them at all costs. Read Privacy Policy. Similar to how it starts with oral irritation, even a small begonia plant can be damaging to your cat's health. If you think that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian or our 24-hour emergency poison hotline directly at 1-888-426-4435. Begonia Maculata, also known as Polka Dot begonia, is a popular growing houseplant due to its beautiful appearance and splashy spot. Status: Popular. The Maculata begonia prefers moist soil and should never be subjected to drought. This is because the plant contains oxalate that can even be irritating for human beings. Although these symptoms are not life-threatening, your companion might suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, drooling, dizziness, etc., if they ingest the plant in large portions. Indoor or Outdoor plant: Mostly an indoor houseplant. The polka dot plant (Hypoestes Phyllostachys) is an eye-catching little plant with brightly variegated leaves that stand out against most other foliage. Polka Dot Begonia Care: Things You Should Know! Another way you can help avoid root rot is to use terracotta pots. 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. Roots should start to form in approximately 5 to 7 weeks, and you may test them by gently tugging on the stem. This plant variety has also been introduced to other countries in the region, including Mexico, Argentina, and Cuba. Other causes of curling leaves include underwatering (theyll also look and feel quite crispy), overfertilization and too much direct sunshine. Your email address will not be published. The Polka Dot Begonia encounters the same typical problems as the majority of indoor plants. The foliage is absolutely stunning and is nicknamed the Polka Dot begonia for obvious reasons. The silvery spots on the dark, olive-green angel wing-shaped leaves create striking foliage. While the leaf may not be the most . Sold By: Under the right conditions, polka dot begonias produce clusters of light pink or white flowers. The spotted begonia comes in a range of sizes, depending on the variety but is a fairly fast grower. Bedrooms, toilets, kitchens, and cubicles, to name a few There isnt a room in the house that a houseplant cant liven up. Finally, sphagnum moss can be a good addition to the mix - especially for terrarium mixes - as a way to keep the mix fresh and moist. Fertilize monthly during active growing season. Flower Color: The plant is glazed with Silvery-white dots with a reddish . Add a few lemon peels or coffee grounds to the pot. So, before getting a new plant for your home, learn about the toxicity and a few requirements of that plant. Having the right soil for begonia maculata plants is essential because it allows the water to drain well. Add to cart So, it would be best if you kept an eye on your pets and children. Because cats dislike the smell of citrus, covering the soil with citrus rinds is a popular method of keeping them away from plants, however, this may attract fruit flies and other garden pests. Its a houseplant that, thankfully, isnt too difficult to care for and is likely to draw attention to your home. Step 1: You can order polka dot begonia tubers from garden plant suppliers to get started. Angel Wing Begonias can be propagated from stem cuttings. Fiddle and Thorn Ltd. Company number 13713284. Add to cart Sold By: The best way to try and save a polka dot begonia that is looking poorly is to repot it. Becoming a plant enthusiast and an environmentalist myself gives me the edge of writing about them. 3 Easy Ways. But once you read this article you'll see beyond Hi I'm Anya! Before we give you the essential tips, take a look first at the plants overview. How Much Do They Need? Are Polka Dot Plants Poisonous? - Necps Your email address will not be published. Temperature & Humidity. The 9 Most Popular Houseplants of 2023, According to Pros Begonia Maculata Care: How to Grow Polka Dot Begonia (Wightii) Prune the extra growth and move the plant to a brighter area, as it needs more sunlight. Author of Book: Secrets To Keep Your Cat Healthy Keep your plants where your pets cannot reach. Ingestion can cause irritation and vomiting. Because of its bamboo-like stems and long, wing-like leaves, the Polka Dot Begonia, a cane begonia, is also known as an "Angel Wing" begonia. Table of Contents. 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. Not all Polka Dot Begonias are Wightii Begonias, but all Wightii Begonias are Polka Dot Begonias. Any high, inaccessible location works. Place them under LED light and they'll still happily grow to become a beautiful adult. One of the delights of caring for a spotted begonia Wightii is that they are easy to propagate. . It may be receiving too much light and has to be relocated. If ingested the Begonia maculata create the issues in stomach or the pet may vomit to overcome this. 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Another name:Spotted Begonia, Begonia Maculata wightii, Angel Wing Begonia, Exposure to sunlight:Bright, indirect light, Color: Bronze-green wing-shaped leaves with dramatic rusty-red undersides. The plant will tolerate low light if necessary, but it wont thrive in extremely dark spaces. According to two of the most authoritative information and instructional websites, the polka dot plant is safe for cats. Cacti and Exotica As a result, you can grow it swiftly in pots or your garden without worrying about poisoning. Begonia Maculata: Successful Care and Growing Guide - Microveggy Hypoestes phyllostachya grows to be around 10 inches tall. $8.99Status:In stock The plant has a faint crimson accent throughout. In the fall and winter, dont fertilize.