Hypoestes

( hy - poh - ES - teez )

At-A-Glance Information

The genus Hypoestes is filled with species of herbaceous perennial plants native to a wide region in the tropical and subtropical zones around the Indian Ocean and neighboring regions. Species are commonly known as Polka Dot Plants, and form small subshrubs with colorful foliage and tubular flowers. They are perfect as a non-spreading groundcover or for containers, planters, or mixed beds. These colorful plants are also used in paludariums and terrariums due to their compact size. Take care when planting Polka Dot Plant in the landscape, as certain species are toxic to livestock.

Hypoestes Species and Varietals

The genus Hypoestes includes about 150 species, and is a member of the plant family Acanthaceae, making them relatives of plants like Mosaic Plants, Water Willows, and Wrightworts. The genus name is derived from the Greek 'hypo' (meaning under) and 'estia' (meaning house), referring to the flowers of these plants being underneath bracts. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Hypoestes floribunda (Musk-Scented Plant, Native Holly)
This species reaches a little over three feet tall and and is native to Australia and its northern islands. It was first described by botanist Robert Brown in 1810 in his publication Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae. These plants are often used in cottage-style gardens, where their delicate flowers and beautiful, soft foliage add a mounding and airy effect in the landscape. They reach up to 1.5 to 3 feet tall when mature, and produce purple-pink tubular flowers.

Hypoestes forskaolii (Kwaduko, White Ribbon Bush)
This species produces pale pink-purple to white flowers with purple markings. It is native to the Middle East and Africa, and grows naturally under shrubs and trees. Individual pants reach up to 1-2 feet tall and have a sprawling habit. This species' name commemorates the Swedish botanist Pietr Forsskal. Take care when planting this flowering shrub in your garden, as all plant parts are toxic to livestock animals.

Hypoestes phyllostachya (Polka Dot Plant)
This species is native to Africa and southeast Asia, and produces a small shrub about a foot tall with beautiful pastel-pink and green foliage. Undersides mimic markings on the top, but in darker, more muted colors. These ornamental plants are commonly grown indoors, as they are popular in temperate and cooler zones, but can also be grown outside as annuals (in cooler climates) or even perennials (in sub-tropical or tropical climates). These plants are considered invasive in Australia, India, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Hawai'i. Cultivars are listed below:

'Carmina'

'Confetti'

'Pink Brocade'

'Pink Dot'

'Pink Splash'

'Purpuriana'

'Red Splash'

'Wit'

Caring for Hypoestes

Plant Hypoestes in an area of the garden that gets partial to dappled sun. Do not attempt to plant these tropical groundcover plants before the last frost of your area has passed by. Soil should be well-draining and relatively rich in nutrients. If local soils are particularly poor or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic material and compost, working it into the soil before installing plants. After planting, apply a thick layer of mulch on top of the soil around the base of plants. This will help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Keep mulch away from the plant stems, as this can encourage an environment for root rot issues to take hold. Water new plantings regularly as they develop a strong root system. Mature plants also appreciate consistently moist soil; irrigate whenever the top inch or two of soil is dry to the touch.

Fertilize these plants yearly with a dressing of organic compost, pulling back mulch to apply before gently working it into the soil, watering, and then replacing the mulch. Prune plants to remove spent flowers and any dead, damaged or diseased foliage. Protect from cool temperatures (anything under 50 degrees Fahrenheit has the potential to damage plants). In cold-winter climates, grow Hypoestes as an annual outdoors. In zones where they can be grown as perennials, these plants live for just 1 or 2 years before needing to be replaced. Life span can be increased (to 5 years or so) by trimming off flower spikes when they begin to form.

Growing Hypoestes Indoors
Polka Dot Plants are commonly cultivated indoors as houseplants in cooler-than sub-tropical zones. Plant in rich, well-draining potting mix in a container that has adequate drainage holes. Place the container in a spot in the house that receives indirect light. Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. These plants require high humidity levels, preferring between 50% and 75% to thrive. They are perfect for misty areas of the home, such as bathrooms or terrariums. A sign that plants are suffering from low humidity is wilting, curling leaves or brown tips. They prefer temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Hypoestes, or Polka Dot Plants, are best propagated via cutting. To propagate your Polka Dot Plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Hypoestes by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In late summer or early fall, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that the plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances the cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6-8 inch softwood or semi-hardwood portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. It should be kept in warm, sunny conditions in a protected area. Water whenever the soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, the cutting should be rooted. New growth indicates the formation of roots.
Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the seedling can be hardened off and then planted outdoors.