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

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.

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.

Red Polka Dot Plant

Best Locations For Growing Red Polka Dot Plant

Red Polka Dot Plant Sunlight Requirements