- 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 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