Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

A Polka Dot Plant is a small colorful houseplant, native to Madagascar, usually comes in 2, 4, or 6 inch pots. The delicate downy green leaves of a Polka Dot Plant Plant, or Hypoestes, are covered in spots and splashes of red, rose, white, or light green. Some new varieties of Polka Dot plants even have pink leaves with green patches. When planted outside, a Polka Dot plant, can grow as tall as 30.” Inside, this plant needs to be kept trimmed back and small or it will get quite leggy. A Polka Dot plant looks beautiful in dish gardens or in small decorative containers.

LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS: A Polka Dot Plant, Hypoestes, grows best in bright indirect light. Too much light or too little light causes the colors in the leaves of this plant to fade.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS WATER: Water a Polka Dot plant well and then allow the top 25% of the soil to dry out before watering again. Over-watering causes root rot. If the leaves of a Polka Dot droop, they quickly perk up after a little water.

FERTILIZER: A Polka Dot grows quickly. Feed it monthly with a basic liquid houseplant food at ½ strength when it’s growing usually in the spring and summer. During the fall and winter, fertilize a Polka Dot every other month as long as it’s producing new leaves.

TEMPERATURE: Polka Dot plants prefer warm temperatures around 75 degrees.

HUMIDITY: A Polka Dot Plant grows best in high humidity.

FLOWERING: Polka Dots have small inconsequential flowers compared to their dramatic leaves.

PESTS: The colorful leaves of a Polka Dot may attract whiteflies, Aphids, and Mealy Bugs; use the green solution at ½ strength to get rid of these infestations. Over watering causes powdery mildew.

DISEASES: The colorful leaves of a Polka Dot may attract whiteflies, Aphids, and Mealy Bugs; use the green solution at ½ strength to get rid of these infestations. Over watering causes powdery mildew.

SOIL: This plant likes a rich airy peat-based soil that drains well.