--- title: "So this is princess cupcake, named so because she was dramatic AF.…" description: "So this is princess cupcake, named so because she was dramatic AF. Now though, she has every reason to be dramatic 🙄 I left her in the care of a friend while…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/ZQqJ4e8VqaIRjEUkC318ij" community: "Pests, diseases and problems" author: "DerpyFroggy🐸🪷🪴" published: "2025-05-11T14:32:50.973727Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/cWK6Sa0G0IXNvm-83evi2DHP_hoCCtSKqcDGZtvj7pc/V21yBJsVTtCPPS3QGsNrHw.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md) # So this is princess cupcake, named so because she was dramatic AF.… _Posted by DerpyFroggy🐸🪷🪴 on 2025-05-11_ So this is princess cupcake, named so because she was dramatic AF. Now though, she has every reason to be dramatic 🙄 I left her in the care of a friend while I went on a trip and came back to her.... 'baldness' The first two pictures is her this morning, the last one is how I left her. This happened last fall, and I thought she wasn't watered properly since her leaves were crunchy, but soon after they all started drying and falling like crazy until we got this result. I've tried watering her consistently, tried changing the location, changing her buddies, singing to her, asking her wtf is wrong.... nothing. She'll sprout a bunch of new cute leaves but they get up to a certain size and start getting leggy and dying. Mind you, she gets at least 8 hours of indirect sunlight were she is, moved her to a darker spot and even more leaves died🥀🍂\*sigh\* is there anything that can be done for her? Or is she basically in geriatric end-of-life care???? Thank you so much 🙇🏻‍♀️ ![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/cWK6Sa0G0IXNvm-83evi2DHP_hoCCtSKqcDGZtvj7pc/V21yBJsVTtCPPS3QGsNrHw.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/cWK6Sa0G0IXNvm-83evi2DHP_hoCCtSKqcDGZtvj7pc/hdIJxEY2TleYbyIDc-lEeA.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/cWK6Sa0G0IXNvm-83evi2DHP_hoCCtSKqcDGZtvj7pc/FsRpppzSR1Wyh_uEN4vFfw.webp?size=large) ## 14 comments ### Leafeon commented on 2025-05-11 I have to same plant with the same problem ![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OUF3L8MpDH_vz7sYlAb0pxmfmsWOVnYx3_RrV-DglWk/2rcfaAY8TxK5QnAJLzNzbw.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/OUF3L8MpDH_vz7sYlAb0pxmfmsWOVnYx3_RrV-DglWk/nCwi0vpvTI2-woxqhJZExg.webp?size=large) #### DerpyFroggy🐸🪷🪴 replied on 2025-05-11 You even have the same cherry topper!😭😂 ### Leafeon commented on 2025-05-11 Yeah and I named it the same and she’s also so dramatic #### DerpyFroggy🐸🪷🪴 replied on 2025-05-11 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 love your name btw! ### Leafeon commented on 2025-05-11 Thanks ### RootHappy commented on 2025-05-11 I kept reading bc it was funny and on point. I have a few fittonia and they are all little divas like your princess cupcake there. They literally live and die for drama. I’ve learned to let them go through the histrionics and wait them out. SO FAR it has been my experience that when I give them enough time, patience, distilled water, super high humidity and don’t look them directly in the face they recover. I’ve never trimmed one back yet, just let them recover from the legs out and the droops. #### DerpyFroggy🐸🪷🪴 replied on 2025-05-11 I have not tried the humidity yet, that could be my next move. That or guilt-trip her in proper motherly fashion😂 ### Bedroom Botanist commented on 2025-05-11 Polka dot plants are divas. The will complain in dramatic fashion when they feel the slightest bit of stress. IMHO, she definitely needs more light. I have mine about 8” away from a led light getting about 12 hours of 1k lumens each day and she loves it. I’ve also had to water her about twice as much as I had when I first got her, but I would tread carefully and avoid overwatering at all costs. If you don’t already have one, multi-function soil probe is a wise investment. #### DerpyFroggy🐸🪷🪴 replied on 2025-05-11 😲😲 So helpful!! I didn't think she'd like brighter light but I can move her to another window where she might get almost full sun 🤔 never heard of a soil probe so I'll add that to my research list. Thank youuu #### Bedroom Botanist replied on 2025-05-11 Yeah, be careful it’s not a “hot” light source as the leaves are very sensitive to drying and shock. But as mentioned my plant is doing much better with the increased light. ### Bedroom Botanist commented on 2025-05-11 I have a soil probe that measures moisture, pH, light and (one other variable lol) - and a guide for acceptable limits based on in the type of plant. Extremely useful when used properly. #### DerpyFroggy🐸🪷🪴 replied on 2025-05-11 I'll be looking into one for sure! ### Isabella commented on 2025-05-12 She's got plenty of life left in her, I've seen polka dot plants come back from a single crispy sprig like nothing happened. They're a lot hardier than you'd think, surprised me for sure! #### DerpyFroggy🐸🪷🪴 replied on 2025-05-12 Oh!! That's reassuring for sure!! 😅 so this is the typical 'if she wanted to she would' 🤣 --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_