---
title: "I got a begonia maculata (polka dot plant) and it has this bare stem.…"
description: "I got a begonia maculata (polka dot plant) and it has this bare stem. Should I leave it? Should I prop it? How would I do so?"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/kCejKsdDRI22sLX64uiZUQ"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Ella"
published: "2024-03-31T18:54:53.985071Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/KHGrINpxqrPn8fjK6ccKVxH9kpKSdIfMVwyq7Q8OjUQ/9mBtynezTW-q4qC-RF7sOQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# I got a begonia maculata (polka dot plant) and it has this bare stem.…

_Posted by Ella on 2024-03-31_

I got a begonia maculata (polka dot plant) and it has this bare stem. Should I leave it? Should I prop it? How would I do so?

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/KHGrINpxqrPn8fjK6ccKVxH9kpKSdIfMVwyq7Q8OjUQ/9mBtynezTW-q4qC-RF7sOQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/KHGrINpxqrPn8fjK6ccKVxH9kpKSdIfMVwyq7Q8OjUQ/ruRszMhASlqxExiyZ7jpIQ.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### LearningPlantMom commented on 2024-03-31

Underwatering.

#### Ella replied on 2024-03-31

I got it yesterday from the nursery I have not watered yet bc the soil is still pretty wet

#### LearningPlantMom replied on 2024-03-31

Okay… so since you just got it, don’t repot it yet. But since the nursery didn’t do a good job… I would eventually repot it. Probably in about 2-4 weeks or so. You don’t want the plant to go into more shock and possibly die.

When you repot it make sure the roots are healthy. If not, cut the roots where they aren’t healthy… repot in a good draining pot. Get soil that retains moisture; avoid extremely fast draining soil, but get a well draining pot. Palm soil is good - it provides some drainage but not a lot.  
Do bottom watering from now on!

### LearningPlantMom commented on 2024-03-31

I would leave it to see what happens

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