The polka dot plant is a little, short-lived, evergreen shrub that hardly ever grows taller than one foot (30 cm). Its opposite oval-pointed leaves would be pretty inconspicuous if they weren’t covered in tiny pink dots as if they had been painted. Still, they are! The spots are also present on the underside of the leaf, identically matching the upper ones but being white instead. You can buy this plan from Amazon.

Because of its cheery and colorful foliage that comes in several eye-catching color combinations like green & pink, green & red, green & white, and pink & white, the polka dot plant, also known botanically as Hypoestes Phyllostachys, is one of the common houseplants that’s considered one of the “it” plants of 2021. The Polka Dot Plant, also known as Freckle Face Plant, is a heavily hybridized indoor plant that produces various leaf spotting patterns and hues.

The Polka Dot Plant, a native of South Africa, Madagascar, and East Asia, thrives in warm indoor settings with brilliant indirect light and reduced light levels. You should definitely include the Polka Dot Plant in your collection of houseplants. It’s a houseplant that grows quickly and is simple to care for.

Origin – Polka Dot Plant

The polka dot plant is native to Madagascar, where it thrives in moist, humid tropical climates. However, it has evaded human control and established itself naturally in several tropical nations, including Colombia, India, and Australia.

The English botanist John Gilbert Baker gave it the name Hyopestes Phyllostachys in 1887, but don’t look for any extremely relevant information in the name. The Greek word hypotheses, which refers to the calyxes being hidden by bracts, means “under a house” and is derived from the words hypo, “under,” and Hestia, “house.” Latin Phyllostachys literally translates to “with a leaf spike.”

Appearance

A common indoor plant known for its distinctive foliage is the polka dot plant. There are numerous kinds, and depending on the specific type, the plant may have dots that are white, pink, green, or yellow in color. The Freckle Face Plant is another name for it.

The polka dot plant has wonderful green leaves with lovely polka dots in a variety of colors, depending on the type. On some plants, there may even be numerous hues.

Flowers with Polka Dot Plant

The polka dot plant not only has wonderful greenery with white, pink, green, or yellow spots on it, but it also has lovely flowers with vivid colors. For a beautiful show of color, it’s the perfect plant to tuck away in other plants.

Many people put their polka-dot plants together in indoor containers. A polka dot plant is a great option because it will stand out beautifully from other colorful plants. Many people use the polka dot as the main attraction in a collection of plants in a sizable container. Just make sure that, if you’re growing your polka dot plant with other plants, you group together plants that all need the same amount of moisture so that they all receive adequate but not excessive water.

Varieties – Polka Dot Plant

The market is now dominated by series like “Confetti” and “Splash,” which have bolder splashes of color in a wider variety of colors (white and various shades of pink and red), as opposed to the modestly spotted species of the past with its tiny pink dots.

One of the newest is the “giant” Hippo® variety, which is significantly larger (16 to 22 inches/40 to 55 cm in height and 14 inches/25 cm in diameter) and has leaves that are more than twice as huge as those of the wild kind, measuring 4 inches (10 cm) long. Its tetraploid genetic makeup, which has twice as many chromosomes as the average organism, accounts for its increased size. White, pink, and crimson hippopotami are available.

In garden centers and farmer’s markets, Hypoestes Phyllostachya comes in a number of cultivars. These possibilities come in a wide variety. The plant is available in up to 100 different kinds. Here are some of the more typical types.

Carmina:

The green leaves of this polka-dot plant sport vivid scarlet hues.

Confetti:

These are little plants that reach a height of around 8 inches. These are plants that develop swiftly and with great energy. They come in a variety of five colors, including white, red, pink, carmine rose, and a reddish-burgundy tint. They are typically sold in pairs.

Pink Brocade:

The green leaves of this polka-dot plant have pink dots that are mottled throughout.

Pink Dot:

The green leaves of this polka-dot cultivar feature pink dots.

Purpariana:

This plant’s leaves are purple, as the name would imply.

Splash Series: This type, called the Splash Series, features big splotches of contrasting pinks, roses, whites, and reds.

There are constantly new types being developed by breeders and gardeners. They are all different from one another since some have mottled green spots and others have dots in various colors. Every decor can be complemented by a hue, whether it be purple, lavender, scarlet, or white. Confetti is a different color that is distinctive.

Plant Care Advice for Polka Dots

When cultivated inside, the mature Polka Dot Plant stays quite tiny and is best planted in the spring. We adore the Polka Dot Plant because, when combined with other houseplants that enjoy humidity, it makes a wonderful addition to dish gardens and terrariums. Additionally, given that it is quite affordable to purchase, it is a cost-effective method to bring beauty and color to your house. Due to its brief lifespan, many gardeners discard it after it turns dormant. If you want to learn more, read our article on how to take care of your Polka Dot Plant, which covers everything from the need for sunlight to typical issues and how to fix them.

Sunlight

Our first tip for taking care of your Polka Dot Plant is to give it plenty of filtered light and bright, indirect sunshine. Avoid growing your Plant in direct sunlight as it may cause the leaves to burn.

Common Issue: If the color of your Plant’s leaves is fading, it may be receiving too much direct sunlight. Burned or reddish leaf edges are another indicator.

Place your Polka Dot Plant near a window that faces east or south to give it plenty of filtered light. Your Plant’s lovely leaf colors will deteriorate if it receives too much direct sunlight.

Water

Watering your Plant when the top half inch of the soil feels dry is the next item on our list of ways to take care of it. It prefers soil that is consistently moist but not damp. To prevent the plant from struggling and wilting, don’t let the soil entirely dry out. Given that it is susceptible to root rot, it is crucial to prevent overwatering it.

Common Issue: Overwatering may be the cause of bacterial and fungal illnesses on your Plant. While wilting leaves can indicate that the plant is beneath the water.

Put your Polka Dot Plant in a space with a minimum relative humidity of 50% since it will thrive in a humid environment. This is another tip to add to our list of ways to take care of your Polka Dot Plant. If you wish to enhance the humidity, we advise misting it frequently, putting it close to a humidifier, or using a pebble tray.

The ideal temperature range for the polka dot plant is between 70°F and 80°F.

Toxicity

The Polka Dot Plant is generally non-toxic. The Plant is harmless for pets, but that doesn’t mean they won’t feel a little queasy after eating any portion of it.

Food

Since Polka Dot Plants have a voracious hunger, fertilizing them frequently makes them happiest. During the growing season, fertilize every two weeks with a liquid all-purpose fertilizer product to promote lusher growth. Throughout the fall and winter, every other month. Just after your Polka Dot Plants develop a root system, remember to feed them.

Pests and other issues

Aphids, mealybugs, and whiteflies should all be avoided. Use a green solution that is roughly half as strong to get rid of these pests. It is also susceptible to overwatering, which can result in root rot and powdery mildew.

Note: Read our tutorial on the 7 Most Common Houseplant Pests and How to Get Rid of Them to learn how to identify and treat common houseplant pests.

Multiplication

It is simple to sow seed from a variety of strains, which is widely available. The sowing mix barely covers the seeds. Warm, humid weather is ideal for seed germination and quick growth.

In potting soil that is moist and ideally humid, stem cuttings root easily (like under a clear plastic dome or inside a sealed transparent bag). Every spring, a lot of individuals regularly start new plants from cuttings because they believe that young plants produce greater results than older ones.

Insects and diseases: Diseases aren’t typically a problem in a residential setting, though they could be in an environment with high humidity, like a greenhouse. However, insects appear to adore hypoestes. Not that they draw pests from a distance, but if you place your polka-dot plant close to a plant that is having insect problems, the pest will almost certainly locate it!

On the sensitive tissues of this plant, spider mites, thrips, mealybugs, scale insects, aphids, and whiteflies are all essentially willing to settle.

FAQ’s – Polka Dot Plant

1.      Do I need to place Polka Dot Plants away from direct sunlight?

You’ll discover that the plant will be more colorful under low-light conditions. However, the plant will become lankier as it looks for light, so you’ll need to pinch it back for the greatest results and to stop it from doing so.

2.      Can I Grow My Polka Dot Plant Outside When It’s Warmer?

The plant thrives outdoors in a shaded setting throughout the summer months, just like many other houseplants. If it’s going to be colder than 60 °F, bring it inside. Keep it at temperatures under 75 °F and prevent letting it become too hot.

3.      The Polka Dot Plant: Does It Ever Grow Outdoors Only?

The plant is commonly grown outside in its native South Africa, East Asia, and Madagascar. It can grow up to three feet tall when cultivated outdoors. However, it does well in indoor environments and will make a lovely addition to any collection of houseplants. Don’t overwater your polka dot plant, and keep it out of direct sunshine.

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