- 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:
- HYPHRP45
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.
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

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
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.