Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) Indoor Care, Propagation and Common Problems
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Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) flourishes in bright light with some direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soils coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Hypoestes phyllostachya also called Freckle Face is a popular plant that is grown for the beauty of its spotted leaves whose coloring is more vivid in bright light.
In a well-lit spot with some direct sunlight, the leaf coloring will be very vibrant while in a shady place the foliage will be all-green. The basic variety has pink coloring but newer hybrids are available with red or white coloring.
On account of their compact size, vivid colors and high requirement for warm and humid conditions, Polka Dot Plants are ideal for a closed terrarium.
Botanical name: Hypoestes phyllostachya
Synonym: Hypoestes sanguinolenta
Family: Acanthaceae
Common names: Polka Dot Plant, Freckle Face
Origin
Hypoestes phyllostachya is native to South Africa, Madagascar and South East Asia.
Varieties
There are many varieties of Freckle Face available like Pink splash which is green and pale pink. Red splash which is green and red. White splash which is green and white.
Other varieties are Camina with dark-green leaves spotted with camine-red. Confetti Blush which has white-veined olive green leaves.
These plants are some of the best plants for a closed terrarium as the environment inside is favourable for the proper growth of the plants.
Size
The Polka Dot Plant can grow to a height of 1-2 feet, forming bushy and compact tufts. The leaves are opposite, oval and pointed. These characteristics qualify Freckle Face Plant for the limited spaces.
Flower
Polka Dot Plant may produce small, solitary pink or purplish flowers. After flowering the plant may become dormant therefore reduce watering until new growth starts.
Toxicity
Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) is non-toxic to humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. The plants are safe to grow indoors.
Where to Buy
Hypoestes phyllostachya are beautiful plants to add to your plant collection. You may acquire these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy) or from Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Hypoestes phyllostachya Care Indoors
Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) performs best in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 18-240C, above average humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soils coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Hypoestes phyllostachya requires regular pruning to keep it neat as well as encourage a bushy growth. Repotting is only necessary when the plant becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
Water Polka Dot Plant liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moist at all times.
Reduce watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can cause root-rot and death of the plant.
Light Requirements
Polka Dot Plant requires bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight to enhance the leaf color and promote lush growth. If the light is too little, the plant will turn all-green and lose the beautiful vivid leaf colors.
Where the natural lighting is inadequate instal a grow light to supplement it. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to make sure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lopsided growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth within the range of 18-240C is ideal for Polka Dot Plant. Keep it away from cold drafts as they can cause reduced growth and leaf drop.
Freckle Face thrives in humidity of 60-70%. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity or use a cool mist humidifier. You can also grow Polka Dot in a closed terrarium as a high humidity can be maintained inside a terrarium.
Freckle Face Plant can also be grown in a bathroom or other moist areas in the home where humidity is constantly high.Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Polka Dot Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. All purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.
Fertilizer
Feed Polka Dot Plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 2 weeks during the growing period.
Stop feeding the plant in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
Repotting
Repot Polka Dot Plant during the growing season only when the plant becomes pot-bound. Use a pot one size larger than the current one to avoid over potting which can result in the soil remaining too wet for a long period of time.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is well-draining to prevent it from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant. Take a look at these self watering planters with drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Polka Dot Plant involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy. To encourage a bushy, compact growth, regularly pinch off the growing tips. Cutback the tall stems to prevent the plant from becoming leggy.
Propagation
Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from seeds or from stem cuttings.
How to propagate Polka Dot Plant from stem cuttings
Take stem cuttings of about 4-5 inches length from a healthy Polka Dot Plant. Strip off the lower leaves.
Dip the lower cut end cuttings in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.
Insert the cuttings in moist rooting soil and place the set up in warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and substantial growth has been observed.
Transfer the rooted Freckle Face cuttings to individual pots and begin routine care. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings into one pot.
How to propagate Polka Dot Plant from seeds
Sow the Polka Dot Plant seeds at the beginning of the growing season in moist, free-draining soil.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight and maintain the soil moist until the seed have germinated.
Once germinated, move the set up to a warm, shaded place and maintain the soil moist until the Polka Dot Plants are well established after which routine care can begin.
Hypoestes phyllostachya Problems
Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) problems include brown leaf tips, loss of leaf color, wilting, drooping leaves, yellow leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for a detailed account on these problems and how to fix them.
Pests
Polka Dot Plant is prone to aphids, scales, whiteflies and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants and treat it appropriately for the pests.
Wilting and drooping leaves
Polka Dot Plant wilting and drooping leaves are due to underwatering. Water the plant liberally during the growing season and maintain the soil consistently moist. Decrease watering in the cold period to keep the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water indoor plants the correct way.
Loss of leaf color
Polka Dot Plant loss of leaf color (leaves are all green) is due to too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine to enhance leaf color or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Polka Dot Plant brown leaf tips and edges are due to dry air (low humidity). To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a terrarium.
Yellow leaves
Polka Dot Plant yellow leaves are an indication of root-rot disease which is brought about by soggy soil. Ensure that there is proper drainage of both the pot and the soil and never allow the plant to sit in soggy soil.
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