Hypoestes sanguinolenta

Hypoestes sanguinolenta Hypoestes phyllostachya

What is the plant

Hypoestes phyllostachya, the polka dot plant, is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae, native to South Africa, Madagascar, and south east Asia. The Latin specific epithet phyllostachya means “with a leaf spike”.

The polka dot plant is a lively and beautiful little plant with brightly spotted leaves that stand out especially well against other plants. Put them in a mass of ferns or ivies, and their colors will stand out in bright contrast. The most common polka dot plant on the market is the pink polka dot, but in recent years growers have introduced new varieties in colors such as white or red. They've also developed plants with deeper colors and brighter contrast, so your plants will pop even more. Polka dot plants are not especially difficult to grow, and their main drawback is their relatively short lifespan.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

18°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

10a - 11b

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

Water
You need to water this plant well and then wait until around 25 percent of a soil is dry before watering again. Overwatering can cause root rot. If you notice that a leaves of your plant droop, they may perk up after a little bit of water.
Sunlight
In most cases, plants receiving no outdoor light should be lit from 16 to 18 hours each day. If some additional light is received, 12 to 14 hours each day may be adequate. Lights should be used at the same time that plants receive window light.
Fertilizer
Use a balanced fertilizer with a 10-10-10 formula.

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Soil
A blend of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite offers the best mixture.
Pruning
Just remove dead leaves and stems.
Propagation
Polka dot plants can be grown either from seed or cuttings. If you are starting from seeds, sow the seeds indoors in early spring under lights and pinch out the weaker seedlings. Provide them with ample moisture and bright light to develop the best color. You can also start them from stem tip cuttings, but this perhaps isn't the best option. They are slow to root, so use rooting hormone, and be patient. Repot the plants in the spring or when they become rootbound. In reality, most hypoestes will not live much beyond a year or two before they flower, and many people don't bother to keep the plants after they've bloomed and slipped into their dormant phase. If the plant stops growing in mid-summer, it's probably rootbound, so you can go ahead and repot.
Temperature
These plants are very gentle and sensitive to frost and won't grow well in temperatures bellow 55°F.
Container
When choosing a pot, choose a pot that is 2.5-5 cm (1-2”) larger than the current size. Ceramic pots are porous which means your plants are less likely to experience root rot from overwatering. It also means you'll have to water more often. Plastic pots are lighter, less likely to break, and easier to clean.
Popularity
15,404 people already have this plant 3,815 people have added this plant to their wishlists