How to Care for a Polka Dot Plant

Polka dot plants grow best in peat moss filled pots.

The dark green leaves of the polka dot plant, or hypoestes phyllostachya, are speckled with pink dots that give the plant an attractive and unusual appearance. Hybrids are also available that develop white or red spots on their green foliage. Considered a tender perennial, the polka dot plant thrives indoors when cared for as a houseplant. Native to Madagascar, the polka dot plant grows best in a pot filled with moist peat moss.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Plant heating pad
• Grow light
• Fertilization

Instructions

1. Keep the soil inside the polka dot plant's pot moist between the spring and fall months. During the winter, allow the top layer of soil to dry out before watering.

2. Maintain a constant temperature between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in your home. If you cannot maintain the preferred temperature at all times, place the polka dot plant on a plant heating mat.

3. Provide the polka dot plant with at least six hours of bright, filtered sunlight per day. If you cannot provide the polka dot plant with the required amount of sunlight, setup a grow light set to run for 12 hours and shut off for eight hours.

4. Feed the polka dot plant with a balanced fertilizer. Most polka dot plants will require fertilization every two weeks, from spring through fall. Check the packaging instructions for allocation amounts and time frames.

5. Regularly pinch off the tips of the polka dot plant with your fingertips. Doing so will promote healthy growth and keep the polka dot plant looking more compact. Maintain a height of approximately 10 inches.

Tips & Warnings

• Some polka dot plants will produce purple flower spikes that you can pinch off if you are not happy with their appearance.

• Keep the air inside your home moist and humid for the polka dot plant. A humidifier will help add moisture to your air if it is dry.

• Do not over water the polka dot plant. Over watering can cause root rot, a disease that can kill the plant. If the soil in the pot feels moist 1 inch down, skip the watering and check the soil again in a few days.

References

• Guide to Houseplants: Polka Dot Plant
• The Garden Helper: Polka Dot Plant

Resources

• University of Wisconsin-Madison Horticulture: Polka Dot Plant