Ideally, this would mean the Begonia gets fertilized every 2 weeks. Ideal conditions fall between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Do you still have any queries related to cats or want to share some experiences with your feline friend, why don't you join us on Facebook with other cat lovers? As pet owners, we know that our furry friends are likely to put anything inside their mouths, and plants are no exception. Your email address will not be published. Bleu Lotus Gardens Cut a stem so that there are at least two nodes on it. Search for a comfortable place and enjoy reading!! The ingestion of the leaves, sap, and especially the roots causes burning in your pet's mouth, swollen tongue, or difficulty swallowing. This over-the-top Begonia is no doubt an excellent choice if youre searching for something different that will surely draw attention. So, youll have to keep your eye on soil dryness and make sure to water it adequately. Silence the Superstitions, Why Do Cats Purr When You Talk To Them? However, any plant may cause unexpected reactions in . Are begonias toxic to dogs? Growing polka dot plants necessitates warm temperatures and high humidity. Keep your pet away at a safe place until your veterinarian arrives at your location. The simple answer to this question is a NO. The Begonia Maculata is not toxic in and of itself, but it may cause some irritation and vomiting. You can now buy this beautiful plant here at Plantly! [Reasons & Fixes], White Bird of Paradise: Best Grow & Care Guide. How Much Do They Need? Mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, scale, thrips, blackflies, and vine weevils can be found in the cubbyholes and undersides of the leaves, except for the latter, which can be found in the soil. You can also delight your friends by gifting one of these unusual tropical plants. Make sure if you have . Sold By: In order to properly water this begonia, you must have the right type of soil, which we will discuss in more detail shortly. Place your plant in a location where your pets do not go very often. Growing new plants from cuttings lets you increase the number of potted houseplants. The health of the spotted green leaves is an excellent way to know if your begonia Wightii is getting enough light. But once you read this article you'll see beyond Hi I'm Anya! Is The ZZ Plant Poisonous for Cats, Dogs, or Other Pets? Heres how you will do it: The Begonia maculata thrives in USDA zones 10 and 11 as an outdoor plant. Step 2: Gently loosen the soil and dig a shallow hole around 1 deep. How To Keep Cats Away From Polka Dot Plant? Another option is to use a short-acting organic pesticide before releasing beneficial predators such as ladybugs to eat the remaining pests. Sold By: Think all the fun of an eye-catching indoor flowering plant, but without the big blooms. Toxic to dogs, cats and grazing animals: Begonia Maculata Care . . It's important to diagnose any issues early to give your plant the best chance of bouncing back. Be sure to keep this plant out of your furry friends' reach. The angel wing begonia is smaller overall at no more than 2.5 feet, with more restrained foliage that is dusted with small freckles of silver or white. However, make sure it's in a well-draining pot as polka dot begonias hate soggy soil and make a perfect candidate for root rot. Water your plant every four days during the hotter summer months and every two weeks during the cooler months of autumn and winter. 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. However, begonias are susceptible to powdery mildew, and damp leaves may encourage this disease. Because of their native environment, high humidity, warm temperatures, and indirect or filtered light are the essential care factors. Venus Flytrap: Care, Feeding, Facts, Flowers (With Pictures), Hoya Kerrii (Sweetheart Plant / Valentine Hoya): Care Guide, Syngonium Care - How to Grow Arrowhead Plant, Ficus Elastica Tineke (Rubber Tree Plant): Care and Growing Guide, Begonia Maculata Care: How to Grow Polka Dot Begonia (Wightii), begonias are famous for their spectacular foliage, Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes Phyllostachya): Care and Growing Tips, Nerve Plant (Fittonia Plant): Caring for Vein Plants, Peperomia Plants (Radiator Plants): Care, Types, Toxicity and 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. The plant's exotic look has many moving parts: silver polka dots that seem painted on olive-colored leaves, crimson-colored undersides, and sprays of open bell-like red or white flowers with bright yellow centers on bamboo-looking knotty stems. Sold By: They are super affordable and available on Amazon here. Polka Dot Begonia plants love the sunshine but be careful not to expose them to direct sunlight as this can really damage the leaves and permanently scorch them. So always make sure youre giving them enough so they dont ask for more, but cats and dogs arent constantly hungry, so keep a watch on your cats behaviour and actions to see if she attempts to eat the begonias were keeping at a safe distance. Sold By: Cats will avoid plants that have an unpleasant taste or odour. Some plants might irritate other areas after vomiting up. No, polka dot plants cannot be considered cat-friendly as although polka dot is not toxic to them, they can definitely harm them. Serious health problems for your cat can result from even a small piece of a Begonia plant. Cats are deterred from probing in plants by certain aromas, textures, and sounds. Feed begonias with a balanced fertilizernitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in equal quantities. We need to be extra careful about the things we bring to our house, including plants. If you see your pet eating the plant, take it out of its mouth right away. 11 Tips, Marble Queen Pothos Care: A Complete Guide. Anything in the 55-86F 12-30C range should be fine for your Polka Dot Plant. Begonia maculata is a type of cane begonia that has thick stems that support spotted angel wing-shaped leaves. To keep the plants energy focused on growing its colourful leaves, pinch off these blossom spikes. Begonia Maculata, also known as Polka Dot begonia, is a popular growing houseplant due to its beautiful appearance and splashy spot. People tend to try home remedies, but sometimes instead of doing good, it may cause harm. It can also cause burning and irritation in the mouth. Toxins are observed in the terrestrial species of Begonias . Causes and Solutions. If it happens, your pet might scratch or lick the itchy areas as the skin becomes dry. When in full bloom, begonia maculata plants are at their most stunningolive green polka dot leaves with copper-red undersides and clusters of delicate pale flowers. In the fall and winter, dont fertilize. Water: Begonias LOVE water. 10 Reasons Why Your Pothos Leaves Turning Yellow. If this 6 section of stem has any leaves, be sure to remove all of the lower leaves and place in either water. Bird Cage Botanicals Succulent Oasis Make sure the soil is dry before you water as too much moisture can cause root rot. Its unnecessary to fertilize in the fall and winter. Most pet retailers sell pre-mixed seed packages labelled cat grass or pet grass. Wheat, oats, rye, barley, and flaxseed are included in this pet grass grow kit. Required fields are marked *. . I've been around the block writing blogs for Men's Magazine, Real Estate, Architectural and other major uprising niches. As an outdoor plant, begonia maculata grows in USDA zones 10 and 11. Cats will occasionally consume grass as a source of fibre. 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. However, sometimes houseplant pests and diseases can afflict your polka dot begonia. To make your tray, place a layer of pebbles in a shallow tray. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Plants Craze participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Polka dot plants are non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, according to the NC Extension Gardener and the ASPCA, but if your pet eats a piece of the plant, she may experience symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea, which is what your stomach does when you eat something that isnt edible. It starts with discomfort in the mouth, and even a small piece of begonia can be hazardous to your cat's health. Prepare for a siege in either case. The perfect potting medium for silver spotted begonias is light potting soil mixed with some perlite and wood chips. Add a few lemon peels or coffee grounds to the pot. Copyright 2022 happyhousegarden.com. If you live in warm climates and you grow silver spotted-leaf begonias outdoors, choose a bright but shaded area of your garden. The plant has a faint crimson accent throughout. To prepare for future seasons, think about blending extra. Your email address will not be published. Little and often is what I'm after. They suggest covering it with double-sided sticky tape for cats who scratch at the pot. How to Deadhead Petunias? 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. You could also combine sand, clay, perlite, and loamy soil to create a begonia potting mix. The Polkadot Begonia maculata is a relatively low-maintenance houseplant. The best place for a potted polka dot begonia indoors is on an east- or west-facing windowsill. Shake off excess soil and loosen the rootsuntangle if necessary. One of the reasons why the Begonia maculata plant is so popular and its easy to propagate via cuttings. Use a humidifier or put the plant on a pebble tray with water if your house is particularly dry, especially in the winter. Polka Dot Begonia vs Wightii. It is pretty simple to propagate your Polka Dot Begonia as you can simply snip off a leaf using your shears (making sure there is a stem node attached). Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia maculata) Dmitry Kuznetsov/Getty Images. Spotted begonia maculata plants are toxic to cats, dogs, and other family pets. If you love low-maintenance succulents, then panda plants (Kalanchoe tomentosa), also known as pussy ears, may just be the perfect addition to your houseplant collection. Maculatas like moist soil most of the time never give them a drought but they benefit from having the top half-inch of their soil dry out before rewatering. All rights reserved. It would be ideal to keep it around small children, but it is best to keep it away from pets. Under the right conditions, polka dot begonias produce clusters of light pink or white flowers. For the sake of your darling cats safety, memorize all of the names. This angel winged cane begonia is also called a Wightii, Clown, Spotted, or Polka Dot begonia. Do you also want to have more Begonia maculata in your botanical garden? We've got you covered. After handling a polka dot plant, though, you dont have to worry about washing your hands or clothes or taking a thorough shower. So, you can grow it indoors without any doubt, which is also a great alternative to some toxic plants that might affect your family or pets. Begonia maculata, otherwise known as the spotted begonia or polka dot begonia, is a perennial flowering plant found in many gardens. This type of Begonia has silver leaves with pink and cream patterned veins. Their leaves are large enough to avoid getting wet if youre careful, but bottom watering is frequently advised because they dont like having their leaves wet. Bonsai Tree Dragon Willow Thick Trunk Bonsai Cutting Fast Growing Indoor/Outdoor Bonsai Tree Ships Bare Root Old Mature Look Fast Rated 4.74 out of 5 based on 142 customer ratings02 Height and Structure: when grown as a houseplant, it reaches a height of 4 feet or more. This plant variety has also been introduced to other countries in the region, including Mexico, Argentina, and Cuba. But I tell you its not! If the pet consumes the Begonia maculata, it may vomit, or it may have stomach issues. Are African Violets Toxic to Pet Cats, Dogs, Or Other Animals? All Rights Reserved. Avoid contact with children and pets, and do not feed this plant to them. Sold By: Too little lightand you will notice that the leaves lose their vibrancy. Often the leaves will turn quite dark brown in colour, become quite soft and droopy and can even fall off your plant. Begonias need at least 45% humidity and that is more than the average room. During the growing season, from spring to fall, this plant needs constant feeding. Begonia maculata is also called the polka dot begonia due to its silver-spotted leaves. Please read this article for advice on getting rid of houseplant pests naturally and organically. Make sure your Polka Dot plant is away from direct sunlight as this can very easily scorch and burn the leaves. Kazumi Nursery Sold By: Even though its non-toxic and shouldnt cause symptoms that require medical treatment, ingesting a polka dot plant can cause symptoms in your cat. Its little racemes or flower stalks, which are violet or pink in colour, are unremarkable and have no aroma or look. Status: Popular. The large leaves that this plant exudes help trap dust and toxins, hence, the plant can act as an air purifier. Provide bright light for your Begonia maculata away from direct sunlight, as direct rays can fade the silvery spots or even burn the foliage. Flush the soil and repot your begonia in fresh potting mix if necessary. The Polka Dot Begonia ain't no picky eater. Repotting should be done once a year. As a result, you can grow it swiftly in pots or your garden without worrying about poisoning. To make a springy, fluffy mix, you can start with a light commercial potting soil and add a few handfuls of perlite and a smaller amount of wood chips until you have a springy, fluffy mix. Once the temps rise, they will perk up and begin to grow again.