The plant may need staking as it grows. Toxic to dogs, cats and grazing animals: Begonia Maculata Care . They dislike how these surfaces feel under their paws. You dont have to deadhead begonia maculata plants. You can also add perlite to the potting mix to aid drainage and aeration. Its easy to fall in love with growing and caring for orchids. Your email address will not be published. Pets are unlikely to go near the plant because of the strong smell. Polka Dot Plant Toxic to Cats - Is Hypoestes Safe for Pets? - LotusMagus Add to cart A begonia is typically thought to be safe for pets to consume. Keep in mind that the more stem cuttings you have, the more likely you are to succeed with the propagation. . Causes of Crisping Leaves in Rex Begonias - SFGATE Check the moisture in the soil and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. Always feed your cat or dog to keep them healthy. The three ways to get the air moisture levels right are these: grow them together with other plants, place on a pebble water tray, or use a humidifier. Yes, the Polka Dot Begonia is poisonous to cats, and it may also be harmful to dogs and other small mammals. Caring for polka dot begonia. Add to cart Astrophytum Asterias Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 39 customer ratings00 Bird Cage Botanicals FREE Delivery on all orders over 65. Caring for begonia maculata plants is challenging in winter. The Polka Dot Begonia prefers a well-aerated soil or growing medium that drains well and retains moisture without becoming too wet. Provide bright light for your Begonia maculata away from direct sunlight, as direct rays can fade the silvery spots or even burn the foliage. Polka Dot Begonia vs Wightii. At this time, the growing season has finished, and your plant will rest over the winter. Some websites recommend misting begonia leaves to increase humidity. Water Demanded by Polka Dot Begonia. Share this post with someone else that loves indoor plants! This prevents root rot and overwatering. For the sake of your darling cats safety, memorize all of the names. Sold By: Begonias can be a bit touchy though, so it is important to know a few things to keep your plant in tip top shape. If he isnt spending time with his plants, you can almost always find him around his sweet yellow Labrador retriever, Tupelo. Search for a comfortable place and enjoy reading!! The perfect potting medium for silver spotted begonias is light potting soil mixed with some perlite and wood chips. However, there are also spotted or mottled variants with purple, white, red, and deeper hues, as well as brighter contrast, which make the plants stand out even more. Polka dot Begonia requires a high level of humidity - about 45% at least. Let's learn all about Polka Dot Begonia care! Like many of our beloved houseplants, Polka Dot Begonias are in fact toxic to cats and dogs. Sold By: The dark green veins are guaranteed to seduce you into growing it! To keep your plants safe from clawed claws, construct floating shelves or hang them from the ceiling. Its silver polka dots appear painted on olive green leaves, crimson-colored undersides, and sprays of open bell-like red or white flowers with bright yellow centers on bamboo-looking knotty stalks. These Plants should be on your Houseplant Wish List. Spotted begonia maculata plants are toxic to cats, dogs, and other family pets. Do not give anything to your pet, and do not try to induce the vomiting until your vet recommends it. Mature Height: 12 - 18 inches. However, I thought about it and did not get it to my home without knowing whether it is poisonous for my family and pets or not. Polka Dot Begonia: Care, Propagation, Soil, Light & More They are not considered invasive plants, although, in Australia, where they are a weed and have grown invasive, they have a rapid growth rate. Too much sunlightand the leaves may show signs of scorching and develop brown, crispy tips. The Polka Dot Begonia ain't no picky eater. Repotting should be done once a year. When young, polka dot begonia is a beautiful houseplant . Polka Dot Begonia Care: How to Grow a Big, Healthy Begonia Maculata The soil should be slightly dry before watering, and humidity levels should be highover 45%and the temperature between 65F and 86F (18C 30C). Begonia Maculata Care & Propagation | Best Guide with Tips Is Polka Dot Begonia Toxic to Humans and Pets? A good rule of thumb is to add liquid fertilizer to the water every other time you water the plant. Is The ZZ Plant Poisonous for Cats, Dogs, or Other Pets? The old flowers fall off themselves after blooming. In this article, you will learn how to care properly for a begonia polka dot houseplant. Begonia Maculata: A Complete Care Guide to This Unique Plant Never water these plants when the soil is wet because too much moisture can cause root rot. So, it would be best if you kept an eye on your pets and children. What to Do If Your Pet Ingests Polka Dot Plant? We will also teach you how to propagate them. 11 Tips, Marble Queen Pothos Care: A Complete Guide. Limiting the size of the pot: you dont want them spending excess energy on their root system. How To Propagate Pothos In Water Easily And Quickly? Pruning encourages begonias to grow outward rather than upward. Temperature: The Polka Dot Begonia thrives better at an average temperature range of 60-80 degrees. Bleu Lotus Gardens Giant Tropical Golden Pothos Devils Ivy Ships Free. Please make sure the air isn't too dry, otherwise I won't be a happy plant. If in the right environment and given the right care, Polka Dot Begonia plants can grow up to 2m indoors. If you see any signs of discomfort, contact a local veterinarian or go to a nearby hospital. Anything in the 55-86F 12-30C range should be fine for your Polka Dot Plant. Such humidity level is difficult to get because our rooms are not that humid in normal days. Keeping cat grass or catnip away from your houseplants gives a healthier alternative for your cat. Begonia maculata might cause stomach problems if consumed, or a pet may vomit to get rid of them. A cat will feel sick in the mouth and vomit if they eat any of a Polka Dot Begonia. It sometimes helps to take caring for your plants back to the basics, here's the key considerations that you should take into account when caring for your Begonia maculata. Should you mist the leaves of polka dot begonias to boost humidity? $35.00Status:In stock 45 Amazing Begonia Types (With Pictures + Care Guide) - Today's Gardener What Part of Polka Dot Plant are Poisonous? Heres how you will do it: The Begonia maculata thrives in USDA zones 10 and 11 as an outdoor plant. Brown leaf tips on a Polka Dot Begonia are often caused by underwatering. In the fall and winter, dont fertilize. Common houseplant pests that can affect begonia maculata plants are mealybugs and whiteflies. Remove any leaves and gently set them in a pot with fresh, well-draining soil. No, polka dot plant is not poisonous to cats. Mealybugs look like tiny white fluff that congregates where leaf stems join main stems. Read Privacy Policy. Pick up a light meter if you arent sure exactly where to place your plant we love them as they help you monitor the light levels across the day. Use a liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength while watering once or twice a month during the growing season. Polka Dot Begonia Care (How to Grow Begonia Maculata) Easy propagation is by placing stem cuttings in water. Let's make gardening happy and simple! A general houseplant fertiliser should work just fine but our plants really love this liquid fertiliser from Miracle Gro. Your email address will not be published. Yes, Polka dot begonia is poisonous to cats and it may create problems to every small mammals like cat or dog. Begonia maculata, sometimes known as the Polka dot Begonia, is a kind of Begonia. Sold By: Place the tubers in the . Its simple to maintain, prune, and replant because of this. Pro tip:You may be fertilizing too much if you notice dark-tipped leaves. It might also cause mild oral and gastrointestinal problems to your hairy friends. However, dont increase it too much. It starts with discomfort in the mouth, and even a small piece of begonia can be hazardous to your cat's health. If the stems get too leggy or gangly, pinch out the growing tips in summer and the plant should become more bushy. The leaves wont dry out as much if the humidity is above 45%. It features bronze-green wing-shaped leaves with dramatic rusty-red undersides. How to care for a Begonia Maculata (Polka dot plant) If you want to get the most out of your Begonia maculata, you may keep it in the bathroom or kitchen. Because the Begonia maculata is a moderate feeder, fertilizing it every two weeks is enough to encourage leaf and flower growth. As pet owners, we know that our furry friends are likely to put anything inside their mouths, and plants are no exception. Oxygen circulates better in lighter soil, allowing the plant to absorb nutrients and thrive. Gar-Zen Botanical Design Begonia Maculata, also known as Begonia Maculata 'Wightii' or polka dot begonia, is a wonderful, whimsical member of the begonia genus easily recognized for its polka dot leaves. Are Begonias Poisonous to Cats and Dogs? - Plants Craze You can tell if they are receiving enough or less if the Maculatas leaves begin to grow brown leaf tips. Put a bright spot in your maculata that is shielded from direct sunlight: direct rays can fade the silvery spots or even burn the foliage. Scientific/Botanical name: Begonia maculata . Feed begonias with a balanced fertilizernitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in equal quantities. The plants dark-green foliage is flecked with pink, with a few silver highlights thrown in for good measure. Unlocking The Mystery, Why Is My Black Cat Turning Brown? They have a slow growth rate and, once mature, stay small, especially when cultivated indoors.