The common name, Polka-Dot Plant, gives away some of the foliar characteristics. The leaves are generally speckled with splashes of pink or white that gives the foliage a polka-dot like pattern.
Hypoestes are native to the open woodlands of Madagascar, South Africa, and South Eastern Asia. There are about 40 species in the genus, which includes evergreen perennials that are either grown for their foliage or flowers.
| Plant Types: | Interior Plant, Perennial |
| Light: | Shade to Partial Sun |
| Height: | 1 foot to 2 feet |
| Width: | 2 feet to 3 feet |
| Zones: | 10a to 15b |
| Bloom Color: | Lavender |
| Bloom Seasons: | Early spring, Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall, Late fall |
| Leaf Color: | Green, Pink, Variegated |
| Special Features: | Attractive foliage, Not North American native |
| Shape: | Rounded, Spreading or horizontal, Variable spread |
| Type of Soil Preferred: | Acidic, Clay, Loamy, Neutral, Sandy, Slightly-Alkaline, Well-Drained |
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Sow 8-10 weeks before last frost. Seeds germinate in as little as 4 days at 68F. Transplant when they have four true (colored) leaves, and plant outside when the temperature is consistently above 50F.
Although this plant is a perennial, it is often times grown as an annual bedding plant or potted houseplant. In Hawaii, it can grow outdoors year round. It can reach 2' tall. The leaves are spotted or blotched with color. Hypoestes grows best in partial shade with shelter from cold, dry winds.
It has spikes-like racems of small, tubular unshowy flowers in late summer or fall, if at all.
Does best in loose soil that has a high concentration of organic matter such as peat. Water freely in summer, but keep dry in colder months.
During the summer, implement a balanced liquid fertilizer biweekly.
Prune after flowering; tip pruning encourages bushy growth.
The only real problem is powdery mildew.