- Light Requirement is Full Shade to Partial Shade
- Height 16-22 Inches
- Width 8-14 Inches
- Use as a filler when using in containers
- Bright red and dark green foliage!
Despite its rather ponderous name, Hippo Red Polka Dot plant is a daintier foliage plant that lends itself well to container gardens, hanging baskets or massing out in your part to full shade landscape. Bright red splashes of color on dark green leaves contrast beautifully with chartreuse foliars and provide a wonderful compliment to a variety of coleus and other shade loving plants.
Native to Madagascar, Zone 10a to 11b, hypoestes in general grow best in temperate humid environments. Plant out well after the last frost in Zones 3-9 for all season color. Although full to part shade location is recommended for Hippo Red Polka Dot plant, it may get leggy if it has to reach too far for the sun. Filtered sunlight will keep its colors bright and its leaves lush.
Hippo Red Polka Dot Plant Care
If your plant exhibits curled or browning leaves, it may be getting too much sun and needs some relief. If looking a bit wilted, it is drying out too much and will benefit from a good watering. Easy to grow, not fussy about watering, it will appreciate fertilizing once a month with a diluted houseplant fertilizer. It does not tolerate wet soil, so using perlite or compost to keep medium light and well draining is essential to prevent root rot. Hypoestes prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.8 to 6.2.
Pruning or deadheading is not required, but pinching back will encourage branching and create a fuller look allowing this petite-looking plant to hold its own against more vigorous plants in the same container or garden space. Hippo Red Polka Dot plant makes a great houseplant.
Hippo Red Polka Dot Plant Spacing
Growing up to 22 inches tall and 14 inches wide, Hippo Red Polka Dot plant will appreciate some elbow room in your container or landscape garden. It has a medium upright habit and pairs well with leggier ferns and trailing ivies with similar lighting preferences. Altogether, Hippo Red Polka Dot plant is an easy care performer for your shade garden.
Hippo Red Polka Dot Plant Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11 |
| Flower Color(s): Grown for Foliage |
| Foliage Color(s) Black, Red |
| Foliage Description: Speckled red and dark green to black |
| Light Exposure: Full Shade to Partial Shade |
| Height Class: Medium |
| Height: 16-22 Inches |
| Spread: 8-14 Inches |
| Spacing: 6-10 Inches |
| Habit: Upright |
| Watering: Average |
| Drought Tolerant: No |
| Container Role: Filler |
| Use Types: Container, Houseplant, Landscape, Mass Planting |
| Features: Low Maintenance, Foliage Interest, Deadheading Not Necessary |
| Maintenance: Easy |
| Scientific Name: Hypoestes phyllostachya 'G14158' USPPAF, Can PBRAF |
| Common Name: Hippo® Red Polka Dot Plant |
| Other Name(s): |
| Plant Type: Annual |
| Brand: Proven Winners |
- SKU:
- HYPHRP
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations