Polka Dot Plant Care Guide: How to Grow Polka Dot Plants

A polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) is a flowering plant native to South Africa and Madagascar. These common houseplants are known for the polka dots or freckles on their leaves. The leaves of polka dot plants come in many colors such as lavender, purple, and red—all covered with speckles. Green leaves are also common for these indoor plants, which grow best in indirect light. Towards the end of a polka dot plant’s life cycle, tiny purple flowers bloom.

Common names for polka dot plants include freckle face and pink dot plants. Polka dot plants are popular houseplants and are commonly displayed in terrariums. The spotted leaves help the polka dot plant stand out in an indoor plant collection.

Consider these three distinct varieties of polka dot plant.

1. 1. ‘Confetti’: ‘Confetti,’ a popular cultivar, is a pink polka dot plant with rosy speckles on green leaves. ‘Confetti’ plants grow up to two feet in height and may spread as wide as eighteen inches. USDA hardiness zones ten and eleven are ideal for the ‘Confetti’ cultivar.
2. 2. ‘Red Splash’: Part of the ‘Splash’ series of polka dot plants, the ‘Red Splash’ cultivar features pointy crimson leaves with greenish speckles. Reaching a height of only about a foot tall during the growing season, the ‘Red Splash’ polka dot plant is low-maintenance and doesn’t require much pruning.
3. 3. ‘Pink Brocade’: As the name suggests, the ‘Pink Brocade’ cultivar has pinkish spots in a woven pattern on emerald green leaves. ‘Pink Brocade’ grows quickly, but this little plant doesn’t usually reach more than a foot tall and wide. It is sometimes confused with Calathea ornata, which also displays a striking pink pattern but has stripes rather than spots.

Polka dot plant care is relatively simple with a few key grower’s tips.

1. 1. Soil: Grow polka dot plants in organic potting soil enriched with peat moss for the best results. Choose a pot with ample drainage holes and pour in the potting mix halfway before adding a mature polka dot plant and covering the roots with more moist soil. Propagation, or planting stem cuttings with an application of a rooting hormone, is also an effective way to grow a new polka dot plant.
2. 2. Light: Find the right spot in your home that is bright with indirect sunlight for your new plants. Southern or eastern exposure windows tend to give polka dot plants the light they require. Be sure to place your polka dots at least two feet away from the window so that the light source stays indirect. Low light helps cultivate brighter colors in polka dot plants, while direct sunlight can cause fading. However, if there isn’t enough light, a polka dot plant will become leggy, so aim for bright light but not direct sun.
3. 3. Temperature: Polka dot plants thrive in warm environments with high humidity levels. A consistent indoor temperature of seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit will help keep your polka dots healthy. If your indoor humidity levels are low, invest in a humidifier to keep the environment sufficiently moist.
4. 4. Watering: Overwatering can cause root rot in a polka dot plant, but misting is recommended to keep the soil moist and leaves fresh. Look at the top half-inch of soil to determine if it’s time to water. If this topsoil layer has dried out, it’s time to water your polka dot plants.
5. 5. Fertilizing: New plants need up to a month to acclimate to their new environment. Allow your new polka dot to take root before beginning a fertilizing regimen. Once settled, fertilize your established polka dot once per month to ensure adequate nourishment. Choose an organic liquid fertilizer for houseplants.
6. 6. Pruning: Pinch back your polka dot plant about once a month, especially if it gets too leggy. Be aware that polka dot plants do get leggy as they age, even if they are receiving the appropriate amount of light. You may also take stem cuttings to establish new growth and transplant a polka dot plant.
7. 7. Pests: Mealybugs and aphids are common pests that can afflict your polka dot plant. A gentle solution of equal parts soap and water can alleviate most pest problems. If powdery mildew develops, use less water and more soap when you apply this pest control solution to your polka dots.

Polka dot plants are considered non-toxic to humans, cats, dogs, horses, and wild animals. These indoor plants are not poisonous, but they should still be kept away from pets and children to avoid minor digestive issues.

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