- Showy Tropical Foliage
- Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Indirect Light)
- Above Average Watering Needs
- Mature Height 12-24 Inches
- Pet Safe
Polka Dot Plants are one of the most versatile plants available. They are beautiful, easy-to-care-for houseplants, but they are also grown as annuals for outdoor containers and hanging baskets. The combination of red, pink, and green-spotted leaves adds a brilliant pop of color to containers with other shade-loving plants like Ferns and Hostas. Hypoestes phyllostachya thrives in bright indirect light when grown as a houseplant. Plants growing outdoors will grow better in full or partial shade.
Best Locations For Growing Polka Dot Plant
The compact size of the Polka Dot Plant is perfect for growing on an east- or west-facing window sill. Areas with high humidity, such as a kitchen or bathroom, are perfect for keeping Polka Dot Plant vigorous and perky.
Polka Dot Plant Sunlight Requirements
Polka Dot Plant prefers indirect but bright light. Placing this plant in full sun for longer than 2-4 hours a day will scorch the foliage and bleach its colors. Polka Dot Plant requires far lower light levels when it is grown outdoors. Try a position on a patio with part shade or under a tree in bright shade to keep this plant happy.
Polka Dot Plant Care
Good drainage and loose, soil-based potting soil are crucial to keeping Polka Dot Plant from being waterlogged. Ensure the container you use has drainage holes and that any saucers underneath are emptied after watering. Regular pruning helps Polka Dot Plant maintain dense growth. Every 2-3 weeks during the summer, pinch the tips of the stems just above a set of leaves. New growth will soon appear. The pinched-out stems can be potted into perlite as cuttings and grown into new plants.
Watering Polka Dot Plant
Polka Dot Plants like consistent moisture around their roots without waterlogged or soggy soil. When the top 1-2 inches of potting soil are dry, water thoroughly with room temperature water. During the active growing season, watering should be checked 1-2 times a week, depending on the size of the pot and humidity in the area where it is growing. Growth slows in the winter, and the watering can be reduced to every 10-14 days. Add humidity by misting Polka Dot Plant with distilled water or tap water that has been left to sit for at least 24 hours. Minerals in hard or chemically-softened water will leave white spots on leaves and clog the plant's pores.
Feeding Polka Dot Plant
Hypoestes are heavy feeders and require fertilizer applications every two weeks during the spring and summer. Liquid houseplant food is acceptable to use. Look for a balanced ratio of NPK. Apply the feeding in place of watering and dilute the fertilizer to half the recommended dosage on the label. Be careful not to get any fertilizer on the leaves, which can burn them. Fertilizing outdoor Polka Dot Plant containers yearly with a granular, slow-release formulation is an easy way to ensure that the plants get a little nutrition every time they are watered.
Polka Dot Plant Combo Pack Information
Light Exposure: Bright Indirect Light |
Care Requirements: Easy |
Watering Requirements: Above Average - Keep lightly moist. When the top 2 inches of the soil dries out. |
Pet Friendly: Yes |
Kid Friendly: Yes |
Air Purifier: Moderate |
Habit: Upright |
Growth Rate: Fast |
Mature Height: 12-24 inches |
Mature Spread: 1-2 feet |
Flowering: No |
Flower Color(s): None |
Flower Shade/Description: Grown for Foliage |
Fragrant: No |
Foliage Type: |
Foliage Color(s): Green, Pink, Red, White |
Foliage Description: Variegated, Pink, Red, White and Green |
Temperature: 70° - 80°F (21° - 27°C) |
Humidity: Average (40% - 60%) |
Common Name: Polka Dot Plant Combo Pack |
Other Name(s): Polka Dot Plant |
Scientific Name: |
Plant Type: House Plant |
- SKU:
- Hypoestes_Combo-HP
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.