How to Grow and Care for Polka Dot Plant

Polka dot plant(Hypoestes phyllostachya), sometimes called freckle face plant, is an herbaceous warm-climate perennial with brightly variegated leaves. The most common polka dot plants have green and pink-flecked leaves, but other varieties can have red, white, and or even purple variegation. Polka dot plants are super easy to grow, and they grow best in warm, humid conditions with bright, indirect light or partial shade.

Because they are native to warm climates, many gardeners treat them as annuals when planted outdoors. Polka dot plants are not considered invasive plants in temperate climates, but they are considered invasive in Australia and some other tropical areas, including Hawaii.

Common Names	Polka dot plant, flamingo plant, freckle face, measles plant, pink dot
Botanical Name	Hypoestes phyllostachya
Family	Acanthaceae
Plant Type	Herbaceous perennial in its hardiness zone; annual or houseplant elsewhere
Mature Size	1-2 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide
Sun Exposure	Partial
Soil Type	Moist, well-drained
Soil pH	Neutral
Bloom Time	Summer or early fall
Flower Color	Lilac or pink
Hardiness Zones	10 to 11, USDA
Native Area	Madagascar

Polka Dot Plant Care

• Plant polka dot plant in rich, well-drained potting mix.
• Place polka dot plants in a warm location with bright, indirect light indoors or part sun outdoors.
• Water your polka dot plant when the top half-inch of soil has dried out.
• Fertilize plants once per month during spring and summer.
• Polka dot plants complete their growth cycle after flowering, giving them a lifespan of one to two years in most environments.

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Light

Outdoors, plant polka dot plants in a location that receives some shade. Too much light can cause the plant's variegation to fade. Bright, indirect light from an east- or south-facing window is ideal indoors.

Soil

Polka dot plants prefer soil rich in organic matter 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

Keep the soil evenly moist. Water the plant when the top half-inch of soil has dried out. Cut back slightly on watering in the winter, then resume watering once you see new growth appear in the spring.

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Temperature and Humidity

Keep your polka dot plant in a warm place with at least 50% humidity. They can be a great bathroom plant, if your bathroom has a window. Polka dot plants prefer temperatures over 60°F.

They're only , hardy outdoors in USDA growing zones 10 and 11. Move container plants outdoors in the spring after any danger of frost has passed, then bring them back indoors well before the first frost.

Fertilizer

When grown as a houseplant, feed polka dot plants an organic fertilizer designed specifically for houseplants once a month during the warm growing season. If you're growing polka dot plants in-ground outdoors, mix organic compost into the soil before planting.

Is this the right plant for you?

A POLKA DOT PLANT IS A GOOD CHOICE IF:

• You have a bathroom with a window where this plant could thrive
• You're looking for a houseplant that will add a splash of color to your home
• You want a houseplant that's easy to propagate, so you can grow your collection

Types of Polka Dot Plants

Different varieties of Hypoestes phyllostachya are bred for their leaf coloration, including:

• ‘Carmina’: has dark green and red-spotted leaves
• ‘Confetti’: offers green leaves with spots of white, pink, rose, red, or burgundy
• ‘Pink Brocade’: features green leaves with mottled pink spots
• ‘Splash’ series: boasts leaves in mixes of greens with splotches of pinks, reds, or whites

Pruning

Cut or pinch back the top two leaves on each stem every week to promote bushier growth and keep your polka dot plant from becoming leggy. When the plant flowers, clip off the flower spike with clean, sharp shears because the plant will enter dormancy after it flowers. Removing the flowers prevents the plant from going into dormancy.

Pruning Tip

Not sure where to find the best pruners for your polka dot plant? We tested the best pruners on the market, whether you're looking for adjustable pruners, heavy duty, pruners for small hands, and more.

Propagating Polka Dot Plants

You can propagate polka dot plants from stem cuttings. You'll have the most success in spring or summer. Here's how to propagate your polka dot plant from a stem cutting rooted in water. You'll need a small glass or jar and clean, sharp pruners or scissors.

1. Cut off a piece of stem. Cut a 2- to 4-inch piece of stem off the plant, and remove the leaves on the lower half of the stem.
2. Put cutting in water. Put the cutting in the room temperature water. The section where the lower leaves were removed should be covered.
3. Place in indirect light. Put the cutting in a warm place with bright, indirect light. Top off the water regularly to keep the step submerged, and change it often to keep algae from forming.
4. Pot the cutting. When roots are about two inches long (usually within a few weeks to a few months), the cutting is ready to pot up in soil.

Tips for Buying in Store

• Read the plant label. Different plants have different humidity and light requirements so you'll want to be sure it's a good fit for your home.
• Inspect the leaves. Assess them to ensure they look healthy, and see if there are new leaves about to unfurl (this means the plant is happy!).
• Check for pests. Discoloration on the leaves, visible insects on the plant, and eggs or larvae in the soil can indicate and infestation.
  

How to Grow Polka Dot Plant From Seed

Sow seeds on the surface of warm, moist soil in early spring. Place the plant in a sunny location. The seeds should sprout in a few days. Once the seedling has grown several inches—usually in a couple of weeks—it is ready to transplant into a larger container or plant outdoors. Only plant outdoors after the threat of frost is over.

Potting and Repotting Polka Dot Plant

The best time to repot a polka dot plant is in the spring after its winter dormant period. Your polka dot plant is pot bound when the roots start growing out of the drainage holes in its container. The new pot should be no more than two inches wider and deeper than the old pot. Avoid terra cotta pots, which wick away moisture and can cause the soil to dry out too quickly.

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Overwintering

Bring outdoor container plants indoors before night temperatures drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit in late summer or early fall. You can bring them outdoors again the following spring when night temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Pests like mealybugs,aphids,and whiteflies can affect polka dot plants. Typical diseases associated with polka dot plants areroot rot, leaf-spot diseases, and powdery mildew. Telltale signs of infestations or disease include discolored or damaged foliage and insects crawling or feeding on leaves and stems.

Pest	What to Look For	How to Treat
Mealybugs	Small, white, oval-shaped insects and powdery wax substances on stems	Spray with water, insecticidal soap, or neem oil
Aphids	Small, pear-shaped insect in green, yellow, red, or black	Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
Whiteflies	Small moth-like insects and white, cone-shaped eggs	Spray with water or insecticidal soap, use sticky traps

How to Get Polka Dot Plant to Bloom

Unlike most flowering plants, gardeners typically want to prevent polka dot plant from blooming because flowering causes the plant to go dormant. If you want your plant to last longer, it's best to clip off the flower spike when it forms.

Bloom Months

Polka dot plants typically bloom in late summer or early fall as days begin to shorten.

What Do Polka Dot Plant Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Polka dot plants bloom by sending up a small spike with tiny pink or purple flowers. They're not showy or aromatic.

Common Problems With Polka Dot Plants

Leaves Losing Their Color

Fading leaf coloris typically caused by too much or too little sun. Polka dot plants need bright, indirect light to maintain their color, but hot, direct sun can cause variegation to fade.

Leaves Turning Brown or Drooping

Insufficient water and humidity can cause the polka dot plant's leaves to turn brown or start drooping. Also, too much sunlight can burn the leaves. Hard water and overfertilization are other reasons for a polka dot plant's leaves turning brown. Adjust your humidity or watering habits to revive the plant.

Leaves Turning Yellow or Dropping Off

Overwatering can cause leaves to yellow and even drop. If you notice yellowing, reduce the amount of water you give the plant and make sure you're using potting soil with good drainage.

From: thespruce