Water

• Over watering the polka dot plant will promote disease and root rot. Before watering the plant, the soil must be slightly dry, 1 inch down in the container. Keep the soil damp, but avoid letting the soil dry completely between waterings. During winter, the soil can dry before watering.
  
  

Temperature

• Polka dot plants need temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit with medium humidity. Using a drainage tray under the plant container for water run-off will provide the needed humidity if the house humidity is low. If temperatures in the house drop below 65 F, the use of a heating mat for plants can be used.
  
  

Sunlight

• Polka dot plants need at least six hours of indirect sunlight each day. Sun from a east window or a south window is ideal, as long as the sun is not directly shinning on the plant. For rooms that lack sunlight or windows, use a grow light for 12 hours a day.
  
  

Feeding

• A well-balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 (nitrogen-phosphate-potassium) is needed every two weeks during spring and summer to encourage new growth. During fall and winter when the plant is not actively growing, fertilizer should not be used.
  
  

Pruning

• Pinching the tips of the polka dot stems will promote healthy growth and prevent the plant from becoming stringy. Compact plants look much better than when the stems are allowed to grow out without thick leave cover. From time-to-time, the polka dot plant will grow a purplish flower spike. Pinch off the flower spike at the base so it doesn't use up energy needed by the stems and leaves.