Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya): Speckled Foliage for Shade

Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya), also called freckle face, is a compact, bushy perennial grown for its oval leaves heavily splashed with pink, red, or white spots on a green background. The color intensity varies with light. Small, purple flowers appear in spikes but are often pinched off.

Habit

Grows 12–18 inches tall and wide. It can become leggy; pinch regularly to maintain bushiness. Many cultivars offer different spot colors and sizes.

Culture

Partial shade (best color); moist, well-drained soil. Water consistently. Fertilize monthly. Tender perennial (zones 10–11); widely grown as an annual bedding plant and houseplant.

Taxonomy

• Family: Acanthaceae
• Genus: Hypoestes
• Species: phyllostachya
• Synonym: Hypoestes sanguinolenta