Hypoeste Polka Dot Plant
The polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) is an eye-catching little plant with brightly variegated leaves that stand out against most other foliage. The most common polka dot plants feature leaves with a pink base color and green spots. But there are several spotted or mottled varieties with purple, white, red, and deeper colors and brighter contrast, so the plants pop even more.
Light:
When grown outdoors, polka dot plants like a spot with some shade. Likes bright, indirect light is ideal indoors, such as from an east- or south-facing window.
Soil:
Polka dot plants prefer organically rich soil with good drainage. An all-purpose organic potting mix is typically suitable for these plants. Mix in some pumice or perlite to improve soil drainage.
Water:
These plants like a moderate amount of moisture in the soil at all times. Avoid letting the soil completely dry out, which can cause the foliage to wilt and make the plant struggle to survive. Never let the soil become soggy, which can cause root rot and kill the plant. Give enough water to moisten the soil evenly. You will need to water container plants more frequently than in-ground plants. Slightly reduce watering in the winter and resume your routine once growth picks up again in the spring.
Temperature and Humidity:
Polka dot plants are only hardy in USDA growing zones 10 and 11, Keep the temperature around 70 to 80 degrees. These plants like humid conditions, preferring a minimum humidity level of 50 percent. If you need to raise the humidity, you can mist your plant’s leaves or place its pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water as long as the bottom of the pot isn’t touching the water.
Fertilizer:
Feed container plants with an organic fertilizer designed for houseplants once a month during the warm growing season. These plants are heavy feeders. If planting in-ground, mix a layer of compost into the soil each spring.
When grown outdoors, polka dot plants like a spot with some shade. Likes bright, indirect light is ideal indoors, such as from an east- or south-facing window.
Soil:
Polka dot plants prefer organically rich soil with good drainage. An all-purpose organic potting mix is typically suitable for these plants. Mix in some pumice or perlite to improve soil drainage.
Water:
These plants like a moderate amount of moisture in the soil at all times. Avoid letting the soil completely dry out, which can cause the foliage to wilt and make the plant struggle to survive. Never let the soil become soggy, which can cause root rot and kill the plant. Give enough water to moisten the soil evenly. You will need to water container plants more frequently than in-ground plants. Slightly reduce watering in the winter and resume your routine once growth picks up again in the spring.
Temperature and Humidity:
Polka dot plants are only hardy in USDA growing zones 10 and 11, Keep the temperature around 70 to 80 degrees. These plants like humid conditions, preferring a minimum humidity level of 50 percent. If you need to raise the humidity, you can mist your plant’s leaves or place its pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water as long as the bottom of the pot isn’t touching the water.
Fertilizer:
Feed container plants with an organic fertilizer designed for houseplants once a month during the warm growing season. These plants are heavy feeders. If planting in-ground, mix a layer of compost into the soil each spring.
