POLKA DOT PLANT
Hypoestes phyllostachya
This is a perfect small foliage plant. It’s colorful, dainty, and flexible in its uses, too. A lively, uplifting little plant for a windowsill or table, it’s also fantastic planted with other indoor varieties in baskets, arrangements, bottle gardens, or terrariums as a fascinating feature.
I am fun and cheerful
My playful, patterned pink leaves will add a softness to your room, while also evoking feelings of childlike joy and happiness. The spotty patterns on each of my leaves are completely unique and individual, just like you are!
Keep me colorful
To keep my foliage vibrant, place me in partial rather than full sun. This may make me leggy, however, as my stems seek out the sun: trim them to make me fuller.
My artistic leaves will inspire you
I am also commonly known as “freckle face,” due to my bold, patterned leaves, which often feature red, purple, and pink speckles. My spots commonly blend together to merge into big areas of color—just like a spray painting.
Look out for my flowers
I may surprise you with my flowers. They bloom from spikes and are lavender colored and can mark the moment when I start approaching the end of my life—snip them off to preserve my energy.
Let’s make babies
I am easy to propagate by sowing the seeds from my flowers, or you can take cuttings from my branches and pot them into a cactus mix, where they will readily root.
Help me thrive
POSITION Indirect light in humid conditions is best, so mist daily from spring to early fall and occasionally in winter, ideally with rainwater.
POTTING Repot when root-bound—you may spot this if it stops growing in summer. Pot into the next size up with a free-draining compost.
GROWTH RATE Plants will reach about 1½ft (45cm) high and 1ft (30cm) wide. Pinch out the growing tips frequently to encourage a bushier habit.
CARE Water to keep the soil moist when growing and sparingly in winter. Give a liquid feed monthly in summer and prune in spring to boost regrowth.