Hypoestes

This group of frost-tender, shrubs and perennials are native to South Africa, Madagascar and southeast Asia. The few plants that are cultivated are grown mainly for their foliage. H. phyllostachya (Freckleface and Polka-Dot Plant) grows up to 30 inches high and wide. It is a bushy plant with dark green, oval, softly downy leaves covered with tiny pink speckles. Small, tubular, lavender flowers are produced intermittently.

Pot Cultivation

The Polka-Dot Plants need a minimum temperature of 50 degrees. In cool climates, grow as a house or greenhouse plant in containers filled with porous soil consisting of peat moss, leaf mold, or other decayed organic matter. Place it in a location that receives bright light. Water them well while they are growing actively. Plants that have filled their containers up with healthy roots should be given weekly or semi-weekly applications of dilute liquid fertilizer.

Propagation

Seeds may be sown in the spring or stem cuttings may be inserted in sand, or sand and peat moss or vermiculite, in the spring or summer.