Underwatering — it's simply thirsty

What's happening

Polka dot plants have thin, soft leaves that hold very little water, so the moment the soil dries out the whole plant wilts and flops dramatically. It's their built-in alarm system. As long as the roots are still alive, this is rarely serious — they're famous for staging a full recovery within hours of a drink.

How to fix it

Water thoroughly right now until it drains from the bottom, and the plant should perk back up within a few hours. If the soil is so dry that water runs straight through without soaking in, bottom-water instead: set the pot in a few inches of water for 20–30 minutes, then drain fully. Going forward, never let this plant dry out completely — check the soil every couple of days and water once the top half-inch feels dry. It likes its soil lightly and evenly moist, not bone dry.

This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.