Scientific Name:
Hypoestes phyllostachya
Pronunciation:
hy-poh-ES-teez fy-lo-STAK-ee-uh
Common Name:
polka-dot plant
Family Name:
Acanthaceae
Plant Type:
Indoor foliage plant
Key ID Features:
Foliage is green or red with heavily spotted white, pink or red dots between leaf veins. Leaves opposite, ovate, and up to 7cm long.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Africa (Madagascar)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 10: (-1 to 4 °C)
Exposure:
Filtered shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Indoor plant
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Summer:
Green, Pink, Pink or white spots.
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Obtuse
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Bilabiate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Violet, Purple, Pink
Flower Time at Peak:
Can flower any month
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
May, Jun
Additional Info:
Not showy, (two locules)
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Red
Propagation:
Seed
Optimal Temp.:
Medium
Light Level:
Medium
Maintenance:
High
Other:
Weedlike habit; requires regular pruning to prevent stretching. Will set seed easily.
Pest Susceptibility:
Mildew, Mites, Mold
