Polka Dot Plant, Measlesplant
Care
Lighting
For enhanced leaf coloring the Polka Dot Plant should be placed bright to part sunny. Some morning or evening sun is welcome. Hot summer afternoon sun can cause leaf burn.
Soil
Regular mixes for container plants, vegetables or herbs can be used.
Watering
Let the soil dry between the waterings to max. 2/3 of the pots height. If the plant goes dormant after flowering, water sparingly until new growth starts. But don’t allow the soil to dry out.
Feeding
If Hypoestes phyllostachya is in active growth a standard liquid fertilizer can be given monthly or spikes or granules every 2nd to 3rd month. New bought or recently repotted plants don’t need to be fed for the first year.
Temperature
The Polka Dot Plant needs average warmth throughout the year round with a minimum temperature of 15 °C (59 °F).
Propagation
Stem cuttings root in between 4 to 8 weeks at 22 to 30 °C (72 to 86 °F). Cover the pot with a freezer bag and air daily.
Profile
Scientific name
Hypoestes phyllostachya
Common name(s)
Polka Dot Plant, Measlesplant, Flamingo Plant, Freckle Face
Family
Acanthaceae
Origin
Madagascar
Height
10 to 30 cm, grows creeping
Toxic
No but not edible
Fittonia albivenis