- Colorful Foliage
- Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Indirect Light)
- Above Average Watering Needs
- Mature Height 12 Inches
- Pet Safe
Red Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya 'Red'), also known by the name of Freckle Face Plant, is a cheery, eye-catching beauty native to Madagascar where they are known to grow up to 3 feet tall. As a houseplant, this little beauty typically is more compact, growing around 8 -12 inches tall. Plant it by itself or mix it with other polka dot varieties for a dazzling colorful foliage display.
Best Locations For Growing Red Polka Dot Plant
Red Polka Dot plant prefers room temperatures in the 65 -75 degree F range, and plenty of bright indirect light. This plant appreciates ample humidity, particularly during dry winter months. You can mist it regularly or place it in a humid location such as a kitchen or bathroom. You can place Red Polka Dot plants in an east-facing window, where they only receive direct sunlight in the morning, or set them farther back from a west- or south-facing window.
Red Polka Dot Plant Sunlight Requirements
This plant prefers medium to bright indirect light. It can get leggy or lose its pretty mottling spots in lower-light situations. Avoid direct light as it can burn delicate leaves or make them curl.
Red Polka Dot Plant Care
Red Polka Dot plant appreciates a slightly acidic, humus-rich, well-draining potting mix. To keep your Red Polka Dot plant bushy, pinch the stems back regularly once the shoots are around 10 inches to maintain a full appearance. This plant grows easily from seed; alternatively, you can take cuttings and plant them in soil once the roots form.
Watering Red Polka Dot Plant
Red Polka Dot plant prefers to be planted in evenly moist, fast-draining soil. Avoid leaving water in the saucer sitting under the pot. Its roots are very delicate and cannot tolerate soggy conditions. Wilting foliage is a sign of dry conditions, including a lack of humidity. If your plant is overwatered, its leaves will turn yellow and fall off the plant. If possible, water with room-temperature, filtered water.
Feeding Red Polka Dot Plant
Fertilize once or twice per month during spring through early fall with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 or 1/4 the strength recommended on the label.
Red Polka Dot Plant 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 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, Red |
| Foliage Description: Varigated, Red and Green |
| Temperature: Above 50 °F (Above 10 ) |
| Humidity: Average (40% - 60%) |
| Common Name: Red Polka Dot Plant |
| Other Name(s): Polka Dot Plant |
| Scientific Name: Hypoestes phyllostachya 'Red' |
| Plant Type: House Plant |
- SKU:
- Hypoestes_Red-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.
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